On February 17, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued scientific advice (SCCS/1678/25) on Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) (CAS No. 302776-68-7). The deadline for comments is set for April 25, 2025.

This article compiles and summarizes the latest updates on cosmetics regulations globally as of January 2025, covering newly issued regulations, relevant policy adjustments, and regulatory requirements. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.

On January 16, 2025, the UK notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the draft Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025, proposing amendments to Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products to restrict the use of Methyl Salicylate in certain cosmetic formulations. The regulation is scheduled to be adopted on April 30, 2025, and will officially come into effect on September 30, 2025.

We have collected the latest FAQs on ordinary cosmetics filing from the Guangzhou Administration for Market Regulation and translated them into English for your reference.

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.

This article compiles data on cosmetic sampling inspections conducted within China and updates related information for January 2025.

On November 21-22, 2024, the 40th ASEAN Cosmetic Committee (ACC) meeting was held in Bangkok, Thailand, during which amendments were made to Annex I (List of Prohibited Substances), Annex III (List of Restricted Substances), and Annex VII (List of Permitted UV Filters) of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD). Subsequently, on December 30, 2024, Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) issued Circular 3/2024, revising the Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia. The revisions took effect immediately upon publication.

On 13 January, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued preliminary opinion (SCCS/1674/25) on Butylparaben (CAS No. 94-26-8). The deadline for comments is set for March 10, 2025.

On November 26, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed establishing and requiring standardized testing methods for detecting and identifying asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products, as mandated by the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). This proposed rule, if finalized, would protect consumers by – to the extent it reduces exposure to asbestos – resulting in fewer asbestos-related illnesses.

This article compiles the cosmetic regulation updates that took place in November and December, covering regions and countries including Europe (EU, Austria, Russia), the Americas (USA, Canada), and the Asia-Pacific region (China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia).