On January 21, 2025, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare proposed two draft regulations: “Labeling Requirements for Outer Packaging, Containers, Labels, or Package Inserts of Cosmetics” and “Specific Fragrance or Flavor Ingredients Required to Be Labeled in Cosmetics.” These drafts have been released for a 60-day public consultation period to collect feedback from various stakeholders.
According to the draft regulation, 24 specific fragrance or flavor ingredients must be explicitly listed on the product label if they are present in a cosmetic product at concentrations exceeding the specified limits. These ingredients cannot be generically labeled as "Fragrance," "Flavor," "Parfum," "Perfume," or "Aroma." Instead, their specific names must be disclosed.
Draft Amendment to the Labeling Requirements for Outer Packaging, Containers, Labels, or Package Inserts of Cosmetics
On January 21, 2025, TFDA announced a proposed amendment to Article 7 of the Labeling Requirements for Outer Packaging, Containers, Labels, or Package Inserts of Cosmetics, in accordance with Paragraph 4, Article 7 of the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act. The draft regulation is expected to take effect one year after its official promulgation. Cosmetics that have been manufactured or imported before the effective date may continue to be sold with their original labeling until the end of their shelf life.
Comparison between the Draft and Current Provisions
Amended Provisions | Current Provisions | Explanation of Amendments |
The labeling of fragrances and flavors may use the terms “香精” , “香料”, “Flavor,” “Fragrance,” “Parfum,” “Perfume,” or “Aroma.” However, if specific fragrance or flavor ingredients are subject to separate regulatory requirements, they must be labeled in accordance with the relevant regulations | The labeling of fragrances and flavors may use the terms “香精”, “香料” , “Flavor,” “Fragrance,” “Parfum,” “Perfume,” or “Aroma.” | If specific fragrance or flavor ingredients need to be labeled, they should be handled in accordance with the relevant cosmetic labeling regulations regarding those specific ingredients. |
Draft List of Specific Fragrance or Flavor Ingredients Required for Labeling in Cosmetics
On January 21, 2025, TFDA announced a draft regulation based on Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Management Act. This draft specifies 24 fragrance or flavor ingredients that must be labeled on cosmetic products. The draft regulation is expected to take effect one year after its official announcement. Cosmetics that have been manufactured or imported before the effective date may continue to be sold with their original labeling until the end of their shelf life.
Draft Regulation and Explanation
Draft Regulation | Explanation |
This regulation is formulated in accordance with Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 10 of the Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Management Act. | Basis for the Formulation of This Regulation. |
If a cosmetic product contains any of the specific fragrance or flavor ingredients listed in the annex and exceeds the following concentration thresholds, the exact ingredient name must be labeled. Generic terms such as Flavor, Fragrance, Parfum, Perfume, Aroma, or their equivalents cannot be used as substitutes. Rinse-off Products: The specific ingredient name must be labeled if the concentration exceeds 0.01%. Leave-on Products: The specific ingredient name must be labeled if the concentration exceeds 0.001%. | Requirement for Labeling Specific Fragrance or Flavor Ingredients in Cosmetics. |
Specific Fragrance or Flavor Ingredients
No. | INCI Name | CAS No. |
1 | Amyl Cinnamal | 122-40-7 |
2 | Benzyl Alcohol | 100-51-6 |
3 | Cinnamyl Alcohol | 104-54-1 |
4 | Citral | 5392-40-5 |
2,6-Octadienal,3,7-dimethyl-,(E)- | 141-27-5 | |
2,6-Octadienal,3,7-dimethyl-,(Z)- | 106-26-3 | |
5 | Eugenol | 97-53-0 |
6 | Hydroxycitronellal | 107-75-5 |
7 | Isoeugenol | 97-54-1 |
5932-68-3 | ||
5912-86-7 | ||
8 | Amylcinnamyl Alcohol | 101-85-9 |
9 | Benzyl Salicylate | 118-58-1 |
10 | Cinnamal | 104-55-2 |
11 | Coumarin | 91-64-5 |
12 | Geraniol | 106-24-1 |
13 | Anise Alcohol | 105-13-5 |
14 | Benzyl Cinnamate | 103-41-3 |
15 | Farnesol | 4602-84-0 |
16 | Linalool | 78-70-6 |
17 | Benzyl Benzoate | 120-51-4 |
18 | Citronellol | 106-22-9 |
1117-61-9 | ||
7540-51-4 | ||
19 | Hexyl Cinnamal | 101-86-0 |
20 | Limonene | 5989-27-5 |
138-86-3/7705-14-8 | ||
5989-54-8 | ||
21 | Methyl 2-Octynoate | 111-12-6 |
22 | Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone | 127-51-5 |
23 | Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss) Extract | 90028-68-5 |
24 | Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss) Extract | 90028-67-4 |
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via cosmetic@cirs-group.com.
Our Compliance Services in Taiwan
- Taiwan Cosmetic Product Registration;
- Taiwan Cosmetic Product Information File (PIF) Compilation;
- Taiwan Cosmetic Labeling Review;
- Safety Assessment Report Preparation; and
- Taiwan Cosmetic Compliance Testing.
Further Information
https://www.fda.gov.tw/tc/includes/GetFile.ashx?id=f638729861144442115
https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=5072&id=30920