There are 2 considerations for labeling required for cosmetics exported to China:

Cosmetics should have Chinese labels.
The labels should comply with relevant Chinese laws, administrative regulations and mandatory national standards.

Overview of imported cosmetics labeling

Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations clearly stipulates that the smallest sales unit of cosmetics should be labeled. Labeling should be consistent with relevant laws, administrative regulations, mandatory national standards, the content is true, complete and accurate.

Imported cosmetics can be used directly in Chinese labels, can also be affixed with Chinese labels; affixed with Chinese labels, Chinese labeling content should be consistent with the content of the original label.

The above contains two key points: one is that imported cosmetics must have Chinese labels, and the second is that its labeling should be consistent with China’s relevant laws, administrative regulations, mandatory national standards.

(1)Relevant definitions

Cosmetic labeling: words, numbers, symbols, patterns and instructions placed on or attached to or printed on the selling packaging of cosmetic products placed inside the selling packaging.

Selling packaging: packaging delivered to the consumer together with the contents for the purpose of sale.

(2) Forms of cosmetic labels

Depending on the shape and/or volume of the packaging of the cosmetic product, the following forms of labeling are available:

①Printed or pasted on the selling packaging of cosmetics;

② Printed on a booklet or paper tape or card attached to the outside of the selling packaging;

③ Printed on an instruction manual placed inside the selling packaging.

The contents of imported cosmetics labeling requirements

According to “consumer goods instructions cosmetics general labeling” (GB 5296.3-2008), imported cosmetics labeling should be marked as follows:

(1) Cosmetic products name

The name of cosmetics should reflect the real attributes of cosmetics, concise and easy to understand.

The name of cosmetics generally consists of three parts: trade name, common name and attribute name.

Marking position: the name of the cosmetic shall be marked in a prominent position on the display side of the selling packaging. If it cannot be marked on the display side of the selling packaging due to the shape and/or volume of the cosmetic’s selling packaging, it can be marked on its visible side.

The serial number or color code of a series of products is allowed to be marked on the visible side of the selling packaging.

(2) Countries or Regions of Origin

Imported cosmetics sold in China, must be labeled with the name of the country or region of origin (refers to Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan), the name of the country or region of origin should be preceded by the guide word “country of origin / place of origin”.

(3) Names and addresses of agents, importers or distributors registered in China according to laws and regulations

The name and address of the agent, importer or distributor in China may or may not be preceded by a leading word, e.g. “agent/importer/general distributor/distributor/general agent: etc.”.

The name and address of the producer may be omitted.

The name and address of the agent, importer or distributor shall be marked on the visible side of the selling packaging.

(4) Net content

Net content means the actual mass or volume or length of the contents after removing the packaging container and other packaging materials. The net content shall be marked on the display surface of the selling packaging of cosmetic products, or on the visible surface of the selling packaging of cosmetic products if it is impossible to be marked on the position of the display surface of the selling packaging due to the shape and/or volume of the packaging.

(5) Ingredient list

The names of all the ingredients of the cosmetic products should be truthfully labeled on the visible side of the cosmetic selling packaging. The ingredient list should be introduced with the introductory phrase “Ingredients:　　　”.

(6) Expiry date

Expiration dates shall be labeled in one of the following two ways:

a) Production date and expiration date;

b) Production lot number and limited use date.

In addition to the production lot number, the use-by date or production date and expiration date should be marked on the visible side of the selling packaging of cosmetics.

(7) Filing number and approval number

The state of special cosmetics to implement registration management, the implementation of ordinary cosmetics for the record management. Imported ordinary cosmetics should be marked with a filing number, imported special cosmetics should be marked with an approval number. It can be added or not add a guide to mark its record number or approval number, the labeling of the number should be issued by the drug regulatory authorities and the documents on the number of the same.

(8) Security warning statement

Where the relevant state laws and regulations require or according to the characteristics of cosmetics, cosmetics should be labeled on the visible surface of the selling packaging of safety warnings. Safety warnings should be “attention:” or “warning:” and so on as a guide.

Common safety warnings include: do not hit, keep away from fire, avoid direct sunlight, and keep out of reach of children.

Safety warnings should be labeled on a visible surface.

Imported cosmetics labeling should be marked content

(1) when necessary, cosmetics should be labeled instructions for use or instructions for use of the illustrations. In the labeling instructions can be used in the form of text or diagrams.

(2) when necessary, should be labeled to meet the expiration date or limited use date of the storage conditions.

For example, stored in low temperature conditions, or stored away from high temperatures or away from humid environments, or stored away from light. This avoids the failure or deterioration of cosmetics caused by these improper storage by the user.

Imported cosmetics labeling prohibited labeling content

China’s “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics” clearly stipulates that cosmetic labeling is prohibited to mark the following contents:

(1) Explicitly or implicitly have a medical effect of the content;

(2) False or misleading content;

(3) Contents that violate public order and morals;

(4) Laws and administrative regulations prohibit the labeling of other content.

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