On May 29, 2026, the Chinese National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) published a Q&A document explaining eight newly adopted testing and safety evaluation methods incorporated into China's cosmetic regulatory framework under National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Announcement No. 51 of 2026. The guidance covers testing methods for trivalent and hexavalent chromium, lauryl arginine ethyl ester hydrochloride, and eleven hair dye ingredients, as well as revisions to the bacterial reverse mutation test, in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, 90-day oral toxicity test, and 90-day dermal toxicity test methods. It also introduces a new human long-term use test method for skin-whitening and spot-removal cosmetic ingredients. The updated methods align several toxicological testing requirements with international standards, including OECD guidelines, while addressing regulatory and technical gaps in cosmetic ingredient and product evaluation. Key changes include enhanced analytical techniques, expanded validation requirements, revised toxicity study designs, and strengthened safety assessment requirements for high-risk cosmetic ingredients. The guidance aims to improve the consistency, scientific rigor, and regulatory effectiveness of cosmetic safety evaluations in China, while providing standardized technical support for cosmetic registration, filing, quality control, market surveillance, and industry compliance.
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