Industry to take the lead on China beauty regulation

Speaking at the recent in-cosmetics industry event in Paris, Dr Gerald Renner explained that China is moving to a model of regulation more in line with that seen in Europe, allowing for greater in-market control.  

The industry professional, director of technical regulatory affairs for Cosmetics Europe, is well-versed with the ongoing changes, having been directly involved in the preparatory negotiations in an advisory capacity.

Dr Renner was speaking as part of a workshop on worldwide legislation which focused on the shifting structure of beauty regulation in China for cosmetics and ingredients.

China shifts​

The changes will come in the form of legislative updates, with the primary tier of China’s beauty legislation, the Cosmetic Hygiene Management Rules, set to be amended in line with recently drafted principles which shift regulatory responsibility to the industry.

This is set to speed up the accreditation process in China, which has been historically a lengthy and protracted process and has attracted criticism from industry players, both domestic and international.

Secondary legislation is said to be moving in the same direction, meaning imported cosmetics could come to be subject to the same, newly industry-regulated process.

Meanwhile, the recently updated standardisation of cross-border e-commerce for beauty continues to be enforced​ by the country’s Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

In line​

Perhaps motivated by the currently sluggish economic climate, it seems that China is making a concerted effort to streamline its beauty and personal care industry and bring it in line with other major world markets.

Indeed, earlier this year the country announced its intention to continue modifying its e-commerce tax policy​, in a move which looks set to prove particularly beneficial for cosmetics players.

“Discounted value-added and consumption taxes are expected to be expanded nationwide and replace a special tax for bonded imports​,” Bloomberg reported.