Japan Cosmetic Regulations Comprehensive Guide

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Japan Cosmetic Regulations

Understanding Japan Cosmetic Regulations

To be sold in Japan, cosmetics products and quasi-drugs must be compliant with:

In order to sell cosmetics or quasi-drug products, the importer must have a manufacturing license and a marketing license for which a Responsible Person must be designated. The importer must also be compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Quality Practices (GQP) and Good Vigilance Practices (GVP).

Distinction between Cosmetics & Quasi-Drugs

Cosmetics (Article 2.3 of the Pharmaceuticals Affairs Law):

“The term “cosmetic” used in this law refers to articles with mild action on the human body which are intended to be applied through rubbing, sprinkling or other similar methods, and are used to clean, beautify and increase attractiveness, alter the appearance or to keep the skin or hair in good condition. Proviso: these articles shall exclude quasi-drugs and those intended concurrently for the uses specified in Paragraph 1, Item 2 or Item 3.”

The comprehensive Licensing Standards of Cosmetics by Category (released in 1999) indicated 11 distinct categories of cosmetic products.

Quasi-Drugs

“Products with mild action on the human body, they are considered as cosmetics with mild pharmacological action.”

Quasi-drug categories have been specified in Announcement No. 25 of the Ministry of Health from February 6, 2009. There are currently 27 quasi-drug categories.

The following products are included in the quasi-drug category: anti-dandruff, whitening, anti-acne, anti-chapping, anti-dryness, deodorants, antiperspirants, hair-growth, hair dying, hair perming, toothpastes, bath salts, mouth washes, breath products, etc.

Biorius covers both cosmetic products and quasi-drugs, and can help cosmetics companies with regulatory revisions.

How does it work?

The process is the same for cosmetics and quasi-drugs, except for pre-approval dossier preparation for quasi-drugs. It can take up to six months to be reviewed by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA).

BIORIUS’ experts analyze the formulas and review the labels for both cosmetics and quasi-drugs in addition to preparing the pre-approval dossier for quasi-drugs.

The preparation of the pre-approval dossier includes documentation to submit to the PMDA.

Regarding cosmetics, there is no cosmetics dossier to provide to the authorities. The importer is responsible for the safety of the product. BIORIUS can verify the safety of the finished product as well as compliance with required standards.

Regulatory revision consists of a formula review, a label and claims review and preparation of a pre-approval dossier for quasi-drugs.

Expanding Your Cosmetics Market Internationally ?

3 Steps to Achieve Japan Cosmetics Compliance

Step 1: Thorough Formula Review

Toxicological and regulatory assessment of ingredients and impurities, establishment of the INCI and ingredients lists in Japanese, establishment of warnings and precautions for use.

The product category (cosmetic or quasi-drug) is determined during this first step.

A formula review report is issued, which highlights the following elements:

The Japanese ingredients list and INCI list as well as warnings and precautions for use are also provided upon conclusion of this step.

As an option, Biorius can verify the safety of the finished product as well as compliance with required standards.

Step 2: Label & Claims Review

Evaluation of product labels (ingredients list, symbols, legal requirements, etc.) and claims substantiation.

The label and claims review consists of a report containing all the information that needs to appear on the labeling material:

Step 3: Pre-Approval Dossier Preparation for Quasi-Drugs

Evaluation of the documentation needed for pre-approval.

Biorius evaluates the following elements:

The data required for registration will depend on the class of the quasi-drug (Notification No. 1121), and will be conclusive at this step.