Cosmetic Label Design Specifications: GB 5296.3 + 12 Mandatory Items by the National Medical Products Administration

Last week, a client launching a trendy cosmetics brand contacted me: "Our serum label design is finished and ready for launch."

I said: "Hold on—let me first check the 12 mandatory items."

He asked, "What 12 items?"

I said: "GB 5296.3 national mandatory standard—cosmetic labels must include 12 mandatory items; if even one is missing, the product will be pulled from shelves. This article does not cover 'how to design a cosmetic label'—it covers the 12 mandatory items + the national mandatory standard + 5 common pitfalls, so you pass inspection before launch."

12 Mandatory Items

Item 1: Product Name + Trademark

Requirements:

• Product name clearly visible
• Trademark marked (® or ™)
• Font size ≥ 6pt

Pitfalls:

• Using foreign text without Chinese translation
• Using ® for an unregistered trademark

Item 2: Net Content

Requirements:

• Use g / ml / kg / L
• Clear and legible font
• Consistent with the actual product content

Pitfalls: Mislabeled weight (not matching the actual product).

Item 3: Ingredient List

Requirements:

• Use INCI international nomenclature (Chinese or English)
• Listed in descending order of content
• All ingredients must be listed (except fragrance, uniformly labeled "fragrance")
• Preservatives listed separately

Example: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

Item 4: Manufacturer / Distributor

Requirements:

• Full name + address of manufacturer
• Full name + address of distributor (if any)
• Domestic products must be in Chinese; imported products may use bilingual Chinese-English

Item 5: Production License Number

Requirements:

• Format: XK + provincial code + 4-digit number (e.g., XK16-108 1234)
• Cosmetic production license (required for special cosmetics)

Item 6: Special Cosmetic Registration Number

Requirements:

• Format: Guozhuang Te Zi + year + number (e.g., Guozhuang Te Zi 2023 1234)
• Required only for special cosmetics (hair dye, perm, spot removal, sunscreen, anti-hair loss)

Item 7: General Cosmetic Filing Number

Requirements:

• Format: provincial abbreviation + G + number (e.g., Yue G Z Wang Bei Zi 2023 1234)
• Required only for general (non-special) cosmetics

Item 8: Production Date + Shelf Life

Requirements:

• Two methods: ① Production date + shelf life / ② Expiration date
• Format: YYYY-MM-DD or YYYY/MM/DD
• Clear inkjet or printed marking

Item 9: Storage Conditions

Requirements:

• Temperature range (e.g., 5-30℃)
• Avoid light / avoid heat / moisture-proof
• Restrictions on children's access

Item 10: Usage Instructions

Requirements:

• Usage steps
• Application area
• Usage frequency

Item 11: Precautions

Requirements:

• Allergy test recommendations
• Skin type restrictions
• Contraindications when used with other products

Item 12: Warning Statements

Requirements:

• "Please keep out of reach of children"
• "Discontinue use if any discomfort occurs"
• Special cosmetics require additional specific warnings

Quick Reference: 12 Mandatory Labeling Items

5 Common Pitfalls

Pitfall 1: False Advertising

Violation Cases:

• "7-day whitening" (unregistered)
• "Spot removal" (special cosmetics require registration)
• "Anti-wrinkle" (special cosmetics require registration)

Penalty: Order to correct + fine of 10,000-30,000 RMB + removal from shelves.

Pitfall 2: Medical Terminology

Violating Phrases:

• "Treat" / "Cure"
• "Anti-inflammatory" / "Pain relief"
• "Medicinal"

Reason: Cosmetics are not medicines and cannot claim medical effects.

Pitfall 3: Absolute Language

Violating Phrases:

• "Best" / "Number one"
• "Top-grade" / "Supreme"
• "100%"

Basis: Article 9 of the Advertising Law prohibits the use of absolute language.

Pitfall 4: Missing Ingredient List

Violation Case: Only listing "plant essence" / "natural formula" / "herbal".

Reason: All ingredients must be clearly stated (except for fragrance).

Pitfall 5: Missing Filing Number / Registration Number

Violation Case: Cosmetics launched on the market without filing.

Penalty: Order to suspend production + recall + fine.

Cosmetic Filing vs. Registration

General Cosmetics (Filing)

Scope: Skincare, color cosmetics, hair care, and all products except special categories

Process: 2-3 months

Materials: Ingredients + Process + Labeling + Test Reports

Number: Province abbreviation + G + number

Special Cosmetics (Registration)

Scope: Hair dye, perm, spot-lightening & whitening, sunscreen, anti-hair loss — 5 categories

Process: 1-2 years

Materials: Full safety + toxicology + clinical trial data

Number: Guozhuang Tezi + year + number

12-Item Self-Inspection Checklist

1. Product name + trademark clearly visible
2. Net content unit correct
3. Ingredient list ordered per INCI
4. Full name and address of manufacturer + distributor
5. Production license number (prefixed with XK)
6. Filing number / registration number
7. Production date + shelf life
8. Storage conditions
9. Instructions for use
10. Precautions
11. Warning statements
12. No false advertising / medical terms / absolute claims

To learn about label finishing processes — refer to label hot stamping / silver stamping / embossing / UV processes, or directly contact a LeXiang Packaging consultant, and receive a cosmetic label compliance checklist + filing process within 24 hours.