Updates on Cosmetic Regulations in Asia (July)

Updates on Cosmetic Regulations in Asia (July)

1. ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) Ingredient Annexes Revised
The 41st ASEAN Cosmetic Committee (ACC) meeting approved revisions to the ingredient annexes of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD). The revisions include updates to the list of prohibited ingredients (2 additions, 2 revisions) and the list of restricted ingredients (1 revision).

2. Taiwan, China Revises Regulations on Packaging Container Recycling
On July 1, 2025, Taiwan, China, revised the "Scope of Responsible Entities for Items or Containers Requiring Recycling Labels, Label Sizes, Locations, and Other Compliance Matters," effective immediately.

Revisions to Article 6, Article 6-1, Table 1 of Item 1, and Table 2 of Item 2 of the "Scope of Items or Their Packaging Containers and Responsible Entities for Recycling and Disposal" took effect on July 1, 2025, except for dry batteries in Table 1, which will take effect on July 1, 2027.

Supplementary provisions to Article 11 of the same announcement took effect on July 1, 2025.

3. Vietnam Publishes Draft E-Commerce Law
In January 2025, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) announced the drafting of an E-Commerce Law. Recently, the ministry published the draft law, proposing stricter regulatory requirements. The draft E-Commerce Law requires foreign e-commerce platforms operating in Vietnam to appoint a local legal representative or establish a legal entity in Vietnam. The legal representative will be held accountable for violations committed by the platform. The law is expected to take effect in 2026.

4. Vietnam Revises Cosmetic Management Notification
On July 3, 2025, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health (MoH) issued Notification No. 34/2025/TT-BYT, revising certain provisions of the Cosmetic Management Notification. The revisions involve designating the National Public Service Portal as a valid channel for cosmetic product notifications, signature verification methods, and import procedures for cosmetic samples for research or testing purposes. The changes will take effect on August 18, 2025.

5. Indonesia Releases Draft Strategic Plan for 2025–2029
The Indonesian Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) published a draft strategic plan for 2025–2029. The plan includes initiatives related to cosmetic standardization, notification processes, regulatory oversight, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), aiming to enhance cosmetic safety.

6. Malaysia Revises Lists of Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients
On July 14, 2025, the Malaysian National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) announced revisions to the lists of prohibited and restricted ingredients. The updates include revisions to the list of prohibited ingredients (1 revision, 1 addition) and the list of restricted ingredients (1 revision).

The revisions aim to align with the updates to the ingredient annexes of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) approved at the 41st ASEAN Cosmetic Scientific Body (ACSB) meeting.

7. India Amends Cosmetic Regulations
On July 31, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued the "Cosmetic Regulations (Amendment) 2025," revising multiple provisions of the "Cosmetic Regulations 2020." The amendments took effect immediately upon publication. Key revisions involve terminology clarification and standardization, laboratory accreditation, record-keeping requirements, license suspension and cancellation, and export labeling.