The National Health Commission of China published a notification which approved 2 substances to be categorized as new food materials, 6 substances to be categorized as new food contact materials (FCM), and 6 substances to be categorized as food related products new materials. There are in total 14 substances which were approved to use under certain conditions by this notification. 

1. 2 substances were approved as new food materials 

The two substances which were approved as new food materials are Blueberry Anthocyanins and Rye Pollen. The use of them is strictly limited according to the annex of the notification report. 

2. 6 substances were approved as new FCM

The six substances which were included for use as FCM are 

• L-Se-methylselenocysteine, 
• D-psicose 3-epimerase, 
• L-ascorbgy Palmitate, 
• Vitamin B1, 
• Vitamin B2 and 
• Taurine. 

The NHC has approved it for use in coatings and coating layers, at a maximum usage of 5%. However, it cannot be used in FCMs for infants and toddlers.

3. 6 substances were approved to use in food related products as new materials 

The six substances which were permitted to use in food related products are 

• Hexanedioic acid polymer with 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, 
• 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid, Tricyclodecanedimethanol polymer withterephtalic acid and 1,6-hexandiol, 
• Fatty acids, C18-unsatd., dimmers, hydrogenated polymers with 1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and trimethylolpropane, block, 
• 1,6-Hexanedioic acid, polymer with (E)-2-butenedioic acid and tricyclodecanedimethanol, 
• Polymer of 1,4-butanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid andm-phthalic acid, and 
• Polymer of butanediol-1,4, tricyclodecanedimethanol and dimethyl terephthalate. 

Manufacturers must label packaging containing any of the substances in accordance with the provisions set out in national standard GB 4806. If you need any help regarding China regulatory compliance work, please contact GPC via compliance@gpcregulatory.cn for help.

On 4^th May 2023, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control of China published a notification calling for public opinions on the Guidance for Cosmetic ingredient safety information submission. According to technical guidance on cosmetic safety evaluation (2021 edition), when conducting the cosmetic risk evaluation, the risk of all ingredients must be evaluated. Thus, this Guidance was made to guide the filling of ingredients information. 

There are eleven sections in the Guidance. The first to third section are set for general principles which gives information about the preface, application scope and general principles. The fourth to tenth sections include the main contents of the basic information, manufacturing process and quality control requirements of ingredients. In addition, the Guidance also considers the requirements on evaluation conclusion from international authorities, use in other industries, risk ingredient’s limitation. The last part clarified the conditions and procedures for cosmetic registers or record fillers to update ingredients information under certain conditions. 

The public consultation period is open until 20^th May 2023. If you have any opinions regarding this guidance, you are welcome to contact GPC via compliance@gpcregulatory.cn. We can help you to submit the opinion.