Asia’s cosmetics market is one of the fastest growing and most diverse in the world without any doubt whatsoever. It is driven by innovation, rising consumer demand, and a strong digital presence. From luxury skincare in Japan to Korean beauty in South Korea and even the ever famous herbal formulations in India, the region spans a wide spectrum of consumer preferences and product formulations.
Strong regulatory compliance is required as an outcome of this diversity. In addition to being legal, meeting regional standards is important for securing long-term scalability across various markets, preserving brand reputation, and winning over customers.
Asia is not bound to a single model of cosmetic regulation, in contrast to the European Union's unified framework. Every nation or economic area has its own set of regulatory agencies, standards for compliance and labelling, and expectations for documentation. Therefore, a strategic regulatory approach and local knowledge are necessary to navigate this ground.
This guide breaks down the core regulatory frameworks and authorities across key Asian markets, helping in understanding where to start and what to prioritise.
The regulatory setting in Asia is becoming more and more informed with the effect of global harmonization. For instance, the ISO 22716 Good Manufacturing Practices guideline is gaining acceptance in many Asian nations, and is serving to align countries' safety and product development protocols internationally in the production of cosmetics. Trade partnerships with the EU and North America have opened discussions about cruelty-free testing, ingredient disclosure, and clean beauty, stepping towards Asia eventually adopting more global best practices.
The ASEAN Cosmetic Directive is a collaborative regulatory framework adopted by the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The directive was established to balance cosmetic regulations across the region, simplifying market access while ensuring product safety. It sets unified standards on aspects such as prohibited or restricted ingredients, labelling regulations, good manufacturing practices (GMP), post-market surveillance and what not.
While the authority provides a common regulatory base, each member country implements it through its own domestic legislation. This allows for regional consistency with room for local adaptation based on national priorities or infrastructure.
The result is a semi-harmonised system that streamlines regional trade but still requires brand owners to stay attentive to in-country compliance nuances.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, which is housed within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is in charge of regulating cosmetics in India. The CDSCO is in charge of making sure that cosmetics sold in India are safe, appropriately labeled, and stick to the national regulations.
The 1940 Drugs and Cosmetics Act and 1945 Rules are the primary guiding documents in the regulatory framework. Cosmetics cannot contain prohibited substances, and licenses are required for manufacturing, import and marketing, based on the relevant context.
There are key compliance requirements include the following:
Safety of ingredients from authorized lists
Correct labelling, according to Indian regulatory requirements (including manufacturer/importer name, address, batch number, expiry date and statements for marketing)
Good Manufacturing Practices
Separate registration process for imported cosmetics via CDSCO's SUGAM online portal
Products also require quality control checks. Misleading claims or ingredients not on approved lists can result in fines, suspend/revoke permits, and market removal or something worse.
China operates a dual-framework regulatory system for cosmetics, anchored by:
Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) - Enforced since January 1, 2021
National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) – The central regulatory authority overseeing the implementation of CSAR
The CSAR looks after both the registration and post-market management of cosmetic products and ingredients. It classifies products into “special” (e.g., hair dyes, sunscreens, whitening products) and “general” cosmetics. Each with differing approval routes. Special cosmetics require pre-market approval, while general cosmetics may follow a filing process.
Key regulatory priorities include:
Ingredient approvals: Only ingredients listed in the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC) can be freely used.
Ingredients: New ingredients must be pre-registered and are subjected to three years of post-market monitoring.
Animal Testing: Animal testing on imported cosmetics was once required but the policy has now been adapted. Starting in 2021, general cosmetics no longer require animal testing when specific criteria are met (such as having Good Manufacturing Practice Certifications or safety data available and consumable), although special cosmetics still require animal testing.
Labelling: require mandatory Chinese language labels, indicate fragrance allergens in the “precautions” labelling section, and increased considerations for children's products.
Like the EU, compliance here also requires a local responsible person and registration via the NMPA’s digital platform, which currently functions only in Chinese.
Cosmetic regulation in Japan is governed through a coordinated effort by three main bodies:
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) – Conducts pre-market reviews for certain product types, particularly quasi-drugs.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) – Defines the legal framework under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, which outlines standards for safety, efficacy, labeling, and manufacturing.
Japan Cosmetic Industry Association (JCIA) – Provides guidance to industry players, publishes updates, and helps interpret regulatory changes.
One distinctive aspect of Japan's regulatory system is separating products into cosmetics and quasi-drugs. The former is generally for beautification or cleansing purposes, with mild effects, while the latter includes products with a functional purpose, such as anti-acne creams, hair tonics, and whitening agents. Quasi-drugs face more scrutiny and require pre-approval by the PMDA as well as the submission of efficacy data and safety data.
Cosmetic products must abide by ingredient and label requirements, and importers must possess manufacturing and marketing licenses. Compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is also mandatory.
In South Korea, cosmetics products are regulated under the Cosmetics Act, and are regulated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The regulatory system is well known for its rapid innovation stage and its established classification of cosmetic categories.
There is a particular focus on functional cosmetics, including products making claims such as whitening, anti-wrinkle, UV protection etc. These products require a separate functional approval and require meeting effectiveness and safety standards.
Other key compliance points include:
Ingredient control: Use of only approved substances and adherence to restrictions for certain raw materials.
Safety assessments: Comprehensive evaluations, especially for functional cosmetics and imported products.
Labelling requirements: Mandatory disclosure of ingredients, including potential allergens, and product claims must be scientifically substantiated.
South Korea’s regulatory framework is designed to promote product safety while supporting the country’s highly competitive and fast-moving cosmetics industry.
Cosmetic regulation in Indonesia falls under the responsibility of the BPOM (National Agency of Drug and Food Control). As a growing market in the Asian region, Indonesia has the framework very similar to the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, but with its necessary country-specific obligations.
All cosmetic products need to be registered with BPOM before entering the market. This requires an approval process that includes submitting the product formulations, safety assessments, and labelling and marking information for review. If a product is imported from abroad, it will have to have a local distributor/agent that will be responsible for all regulatory obligations.
Halal certification is a growing consideration, driven by consumer demand and national regulation. While not mandatory for all cosmetics yet, brands are increasingly expected to comply with Halal Law No. 33/2014, particularly if targeting the Muslim consumer base.
Labelling must be provided in Bahasa Indonesia, with strict guidelines on claims, ingredient disclosure, and usage directions. Misleading claims or non-compliance with language rules can result in penalties or product withdrawal.
Taiwan regulates cosmetics through two primary frameworks:
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) – Oversees regulatory enforcement and product evaluations.
Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act (CHSA) – Establishes the legal foundation for cosmetic safety, labelling, and manufacturing practices.
The regulatory strategy involves product notification instead of product registration, and companies need to prepare and maintain a Product Information File (PIF), which must contain formulation details, a safety assessment, and documentation that supports product claims.
Such claims-evidence is taken very seriously. Brands need to be able to scientifically substantiate any efficacy or safety-based statements that are made on product labels or advertising. Fining, suspension, and other offences for non-compliance can be imposed.
Companies who import products must have local representation, similar to the notion of a "Responsible Person." Local representation must act in a professional capacity to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, as well as ensure label compliance with language regulations. In addition to these requirements, Taiwan has a number of restrictions on some substances, and stresses alternatives to animal-testing and aligns with trends espoused in the EU.
Enforcement varies significantly across Asia but is becoming more assertive as consumer protection and regulatory transparency grow in importance. For instance, in India, violations such as misleading claims or use of banned substances can lead to product bans or license revocations. In Taiwan, failure to substantiate claims may result in fines, while South Korea mandates the withdrawal of non-compliant functional products. Staying ahead of enforcement protocols is essential for safeguarding brand reputation.
Across most Asian markets, having a local representative or "Responsible Person" is a recurring regulatory requirement for cosmetic brands. Whether it’s a local agent for Indonesia’s BPOM, a Responsible Person in Taiwan, or a China-based company for NMPA registration, these intermediaries are essential for legal compliance, documentation handling, and market communication. Brands must proactively plan for these partnerships as they directly influence speed to market and ongoing regulatory navigation.
Navigating Asia’s cosmetic regulations is about building credibility in some of the world’s most dynamic beauty markets. Each authority brings its own lens to safety, efficacy, and product integrity, reflecting both cultural expectations and evolving public health priorities.
For brands eyeing sustainable growth across the region, regulatory fluency is not a barrier, it is a strategic advantage. Staying informed, responsive, and locally relevant ensures not only legal market access but also deeper consumer trust in an increasingly scrutinised industry.
While this guide focuses on major Asian markets with established frameworks, it’s worth noting that other countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are also beginning to tighten cosmetic regulations. These emerging markets are seeing increased demand for safer products and more transparent labelling, signalling a regional trend toward more robust oversight even in developing economies.