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

Last week, a client from an emerging beauty brand came to me: "Our serum label design is done, 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; missing one means delisting. This article won't cover 'how to design a cosmetic label'—instead, it covers the 12 mandatory items + the national mandatory standard + 5 pitfalls, to ensure you pass before launch."

12 Required Items

Required Field 1: Product Name + Trademark

Requirements:

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

Pitfalls:

• Use foreign text; do not translate into Chinese
• Use ® for unregistered trademarks

Required Field 2: Net Content

Requirements:

• Use g / ml / kg / L
• Font is clear and legible
• Consistent with actual product content

Red Flag: Falsely declared weight (not matching the actual product).

Required Field 3: Ingredient List

Requirements:

• According to INCI international nomenclature (Chinese or English)
• Sorted by content from high to low
• All ingredients must be listed (except fragrance, uniformly marked as "Fragrance")
• Preservatives must be labeled separately

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

Required Field 4: Manufacturer / Distributor

Requirements:

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

Required Field 5: Production License Number

Requirements:

• Format: XK + Province Code + 4-digit Number (e.g., XK16-108 1234)
• Cosmetic Production License (required for special cosmetics)

Required Field 6: Special Cosmetics Registration Number

Requirements:

• Format: GZ-TY-Z No. + Year + Number (e.g., GZ-TY-Z No. 2023 1234)
• Only required for special cosmetics (hair dyes, perms, spot removal, sunscreen, anti-hair loss)

Required Field 7: General Cosmetics Filing Number

Requirements:

• Format: Province abbreviation + G + number (e.g., Yue G Cosmetics Online Filing No. 2023 1234)
• Required only for general cosmetics (non-special)

Required Field 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 coding or printing

Required Field 9: Storage Conditions

Requirements:

• Temperature range (e.g., 5-30°C)
• Keep away from light / heat / moisture
• Child access restrictions

Mandatory 10: Usage Method

Requirements:

• Usage Steps
• Usage Position
• Usage Frequency

Required Field 11: Precautions

Requirements:

• Allergy Testing Recommendations
• Skin Type Restrictions
• Contraindications When Used with Other Products

Required 12: Warning Statements

Requirements:

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

Quick Reference Table of 12 Required Items

5 Common Pitfalls

Pitfall 1: False Advertising

Violation Cases:

• "7-day whitening" (not registered)
• "Spot-removing" (special cosmetics require registration)
• "Anti-wrinkle" (special cosmetics require registration)

Penalty: Order to correct + fine of 10,000–30,000 RMB + product removal.

Pitfall 2: Medical Terminology

Violating Wording:

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

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

Pitfall 3: Absolute Terms

Violating Wording:

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

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

Pitfall 4: Missing Ingredient List

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

Reason: All ingredients (except fragrance) must be explicitly listed.

Pitfall 5: Missing Filing Number / Registration Number

Violation Case: Cosmetics placed on the market without filing.

Penalty: Order to suspend production + recall + fine.

Cosmetic Filing vs. Registration

General Cosmetics (Filing)

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

Process: 2–3 months

Materials: Ingredients + process + labeling + test reports

Number: Province abbreviation + G + number

Special Cosmetics (Registration)

Scope: 5 categories — hair dye, perm, spot removal and whitening, sunscreen, anti-hair loss

Process: 1–2 years

Materials: Full set of safety + toxicology + clinical trial data

Number: Guozhuang Tezi + year + number

12-Item Self-Inspection Checklist

1. Clear product name + trademark
2. Correct net content unit
3. Ingredient list in INCI order
4. Full name and address of manufacturer + distributor
5. Production license number (starting with XK)
6. Filing number / registration number
7. Production date + shelf life
8. Storage conditions
9. Usage instructions
10. Precautions
11. Warning statements
12. No false advertising / medical terms / absolute language

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