Global Cosmetics Regulatory Update – April 2026
Bycheermax
China
On April 7, 2026, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China issued five new industry standards for cosmetics.
The standards primarily focus on:
- Biotechnology-derived ingredients (e.g., fermentation-derived materials, recombinant proteins, and peptides)
- Technical requirements for cosmetic ingredient safety assessment
- Quality control and analytical testing methods
The relevant standards are scheduled to come into effect on May 1, 2027.
On April 13, 2026, the NMPA released the fourth update of the IECIC. The new cosmetic ingredient Saussurea involucrata callus powder completed its 3-year safety monitoring period and, after evaluation, was added to Category II in compliance with relevant regulations. In addition, the Chinese and INCI/English names of 49 ingredients in Category I were standardized.
On April 24, 2026, the NMPA issued the 2026 Cosmetic Standard Project Plan, which includes 27 projects in total (1 revision and 26 new standards).
South Korea
On April 5, 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea introduced a temporary policy allowing the use of adhesive sticker labels on cosmetics.
Due to global supply chain disruptions and shortages of packaging materials, a six-month temporary regulatory relaxation has been implemented starting April 5, 2026. Under this measure, cosmetics, food products, and quasi-drugs are permitted to use sticker labels to display mandatory labeling information.
On April 8, 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea released three updated guidelines on alternative animal testing methods:
- Guidelines for Animal Alternative Testing Methods for Skin Irritation in Cosmetics, etc. (Skin Irritation Testing Methods Using Human Skin Models)
- Guidelines for Animal Alternative Testing Methods for Skin Corrosion in Cosmetics, etc. (Skin Corrosion Testing Method Using Human Skin Models)
- Guidelines for Testing Methods for Eye Hazards (Severe Eye Damage and Eye Irritation) Using Human Corneal-like Epithelial Models)
Japan
On April 20, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) issued a notice clarifying the regulatory use of triheptanoin in cosmetics.
Triheptanoin may only be used for non-pharmacological purposes, such as basic skin-conditioning functions. Companies are also required to complete compliance assessments during the transition period and revise product labeling and marketing claims in accordance with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (PMD Act) regarding the use of medicinal ingredients in cosmetics.
US
On April 13, 2026, the U.S. state of Virginia passed and enacted House Bill 122 (HB122), expanding its Humane and Toxin-Free Cosmetics Act by adding provisions related to “non-toxic cosmetics.”
Starting July 1, 2026, the law will prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, offering for sale, or use in consumer transactions of cosmetics containing intentionally added substances such as formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, mercury, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), certain parabens, phenylenediamines, and various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their salts.
On April 15, 2026, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced an extension of the reporting deadline under the Amara Act for products containing intentionally added PFAS.
The deadline has been extended from July 1, 2026, to September 15, 2026. However, reporting obligations and associated fee requirements remain unchanged, and cosmetic companies are still expected to prepare for compliance in advance.
Canada
In April 2026, Health Canada officially launched the first phase of its cosmetic fragrance allergen labelling requirements.
Starting April 12, 2026, all newly marketed and existing cosmetic products containing any of the initial 24 regulated fragrance allergens must individually declare them on product labels and in the Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) when they exceed the following thresholds:
- Leave-on products: above 0.001%
- Rinse-off products: above 0.01%
EU
On April 21, 2026, the European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/859, amending Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation to introduce new restrictions on 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT).
In April 2026, the EU SCCS issued several scientific opinions on cosmetic ingredients, including two draft opinions open for public consultation and three final opinions, supporting future regulatory decisions and market authorisation in the EU.
- Draft opinions currently open for public consultation:
Safety assessment opinion on acetophenone (CAS 98-86-2, EC 202-708-7) Public consultation deadline: 6 July 2026
Safety assessment opinion on heliotropin (CAS 120-57-0, EC 204-409-7) for use in cosmetics Public consultation deadline: 15 June 2026
- Published scientific opinions (final):
Scientific opinion on the use of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in cosmetics
Scientific opinion on cannabidiol (CBD, CAS 13956-29-1 / EC 689-176-3) in cosmetics
Scientific opinion on silver (CAS 7440-22-4 / EC 231-131-3) in cosmetics