China is changing the way of managing non-special use cosmetics that travel through the Shanghai Pudong area, as brands importing for the first time will now be subject to filing management, cosmetics regulatory portal.

The new import rules came into effect from 1 March 2017 and will currently last until 21 December 2018.

From March this year, non-special use cosmetics,defined as hair care, skin care, make up, nail care products and perfumes, will soon be subject to a specific filing management process that replaces registration.

These rules will apply to any non-special use cosmetic product that is imported for the first time and is delivered through the Shanghai Pudong New Area port when the agent responsible is located within the new area.

As a result, all first-time imports must obtain a filing certificate. The hair, skin, make up, fragrance or nail products will only be permitted for importation and distribution once it appears on the accompanying online filing system and a certificate has been obtained.

Following the decision to implement the notice,CFDA gave further specific guidance on 17 January 2017,outlining requirements.

These new stipulations require companies wanting to import non-special use cosmetic products to China for the first time to complete the appropriate and necessary filing management information before importing.

Companies that attempt to send such products through alternative ports will have their filings cancelled by the relevant manufacturer or domestic agent, and the company will have to register according to these new rules.

While CFDA will be accountable for filing and the changeover process from registration, China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ), which manages imports and exports, will ensure filing certification checks have been carried out and are accurate.

This change will have on exports to China; importers and international cosmetic enterprises will experience lower approval times and associated costs as importers can enter China through Shanghai Pudong.

Additionally, as domestic non-special use cosmetics companies also must complete the filing, these importers may be exempt from animal testing if the associated safety assessments can show that their methods comply with requirements.

At present, the cosmetics sector is still unclear whether this exemption rule will apply to importers looking to send first import non-special use cosmetics through Shanghai Pudong New Area and currently, await further clarification.