Health Canada has provided new clarity on how topical products containing human-derived exosomes, human extracellular vesicles (EVs), or human cell-conditioned media should be classified in Canada. In its Final Notice published April 10, 2026, Health Canada confirmed that these substances are not considered “inherent drugs” based on the evidence currently available. This means they may...
Thailand has introduced a new regulatory classification for high-fluoride products used in the oral cavity. On August 18, 2026, the Royal Thai Government Gazette published Ministry of Public Health Notification on Hazardous Drugs No. 37, adding drugs containing 5,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride for oral use to the country’s list of hazardous drugs....
K-beauty has become a major influence on the European cosmetics market, bringing with it distinctive product concepts, ingredients and marketing language. From “glass skin” and “brightening” to pore care, barrier support and intensive hydration, many of these claims are now familiar to European consumers. But K-beauty is not a separate regulatory category in the European...
Refillable cosmetics are moving from a niche sustainability concept toward a more established packaging strategy. Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing packaging waste, while cosmetic manufacturers are exploring refill pouches, replaceable cartridges, reusable containers and in-store refill systems. However, introducing a refill model is not simply a packaging redesign. In the European Union, cosmetic products...
On August 19, 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) made the fifth dynamic adjustment to the Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients (IECIC), adding four cosmetic ingredients to IECIC List II following completion of the required three-year safety monitoring period and regulatory assessment. The latest adjustment means that the four ingredients are now included in...
South Korea has revised its cosmetic labeling requirements, introducing a new usage precaution for products containing Benzophenone-3 while easing a warning requirement for shampoos that are designed to be used without immediate rinsing. On August 6, 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued Notice No. 2026-56, amending the Precautions for Use and...
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is now becoming relevant to businesses in the United Kingdom—but primarily through Northern Ireland. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 generally begun to apply on August 12, 2026. Under the Windsor Framework, much of the regulation applies in Northern Ireland, while Great Britain remains outside the EU PPWR framework. This...
As summer draws to a close, sunscreen remains an important focus for consumers and cosmetic companies, with regulatory requirements continuing to shape how these products are formulated and marketed. Alongside questions about SPF and UVA protection, brands are increasingly navigating discussions around mineral versus organic UV filters, nanomaterials and environmental claims. From an EU regulatory...
The European Commission is preparing Biotech Act II, a new initiative intended to strengthen the European Union’s position in industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The initiative follows the first Biotech Act and takes a broader approach, focusing on the regulatory and market conditions needed to support biotechnology across the EU. Its objectives include addressing regulatory fragmentation,...
California’s SB 343, known as the “Truth in Recycling” or “Truth in Labeling” law, restricts the use of recycling symbols and claims on products and packaging unless they meet defined recyclability criteria. For cosmetic companies, the law is particularly relevant because many products use pumps, multilayer tubes, flexible pouches, airless systems and other packaging made...
