On 14 September, China released a cosmetic testing method standardizing new requirements to test for anti-infective agents in cosmetic products. The draft is for public consultation until 28 Sep, 2018.

“Testing Method of Anti-infective Agents in Cosmetics”is used to screen for the presence of 36 kinds of antiinfective agents in cosmetic product types such as liquid water-based, cream, lotion, etc. and determine the quality and quantity by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).

Anti-infective agents such as tetracyclines, quinolones,sulfonamides, lincosamides, nitrofurans are natural or synthetic drugs which have antibacterial and anti-in flammatory effects. Such kinds of drugs are under prescription drug management. Long-term use of anti-acne cosmetics that include illegally added anti-infective agents will irritate the skin, cause contact dermatitis and increases the potential for development of resistance amongst pathogens. China Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics and EU Cosmetics Directive (Directive 76/768/EEC) stipulate that anti-infective agents are prohibited ingredients used in cosmetics.

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The 36 anti-infective agents are as follows: