Scope
The standards apply to cosmetics under China’s cosmetics safety framework. The transcribed numeric provisions are the Table 2 harmful-substance limits for mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
Exact limit and units
| Metal | Matrix | Limit | Unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Cosmetics | 1 | mg/kg | finished cosmetic product |
| Lead | Cosmetics | 10 | mg/kg | finished cosmetic product |
| Arsenic | Cosmetics | 2 | mg/kg | finished cosmetic product |
| Cadmium | Cosmetics | 5 | mg/kg | finished cosmetic product |
How tested
The standards include analytical-method sections for restricted and harmful substances. The table values are stated as mg/kg limits for harmful substances in cosmetics.
Enforcement posture
The technical standards are part of China’s cosmetics safety regime and operate as mandatory product-safety requirements for cosmetics.
History of changes
The 2015 edition adjusted the lead limit to 10 mg/kg, adjusted the arsenic limit to 2 mg/kg, and added a cadmium limit of 5 mg/kg.
How it compares
The Chinese lead and mercury limits align with common international cosmetic impurity values of 10 ppm lead and 1 ppm mercury, while the arsenic value of 2 mg/kg is stricter than several 5 mg/kg regional cosmetic guidance values.
Sources
Update history
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