On October 12, 2012, SFDA released the final version of Guidance on the Application and Review of Children Cosmetics, which will take into effect from February 1 of 2013. Cosmetics used by children not order than 12 will be regarded as “children cosmetics”.

 It requires applicants to submit documents, including a report consisting of a list of ingredients, design principles of formula and analysis of every ingredient, requirements for choosing ingredients, description of production process, safety and quality control information, etc.

Under the guidance, applicants should pay close attention to the detailed requirements for the selection and safety evaluation of cosmetic ingredients along with the design principles for the formula from the safety point of view.

The reasonable selection of ingredients determines the quality of the formula, which is very crucial among all the required documents. Producers of children cosmetics shall use minimum varieties of ingredients, choose those that have a certain history of safe use, avoid adopting efficacy components mainly for whitening, spot-removal, acne treatment, deodorant, hair growth, hair dye, hair perm, body-shaping, breast beautifier and so on. Furthermore, it is not encouraged to employ ingredients manufactured with the generic or nano techonology.

Meanwhile, applying units are responsible for the risk assessment of ingredients, with particular reference to organic solvents (such as essence or ethanol), cationic surfactants and penetration enhancers. In case that any restricted substance in the “Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics 2007” is used, producers shall be subject to relevant requirements on field of application, maximum authorized concentration in the finished products, condition of use and warnings. For example, a statement like “use under the supervision of adults” must be printed on the label or the specification sheet.

It should be noted that the approved children cosmetics may be faced with the re-evaluation of safety conducted by SFDA.