Shanghai Launches Electronic Label Pilot Program for Imported Cosmetics

Imported cosmetic products are set to have electronic labels that will make it easier for both users and government supervision, thanks to a pilot program launched in the Pudong New Area, Shanghai Customs announced on Tuesday.

To comply with China's regulations on cosmetics labeling, enterprises are required to affix Chinese labels on the original packaging of imported products. However, such labels are usually hard to read because of characters that are too small on the limited print space.

Under the new program, only six categories of information need still be printed on the products in Chinese, which is expected to save up to 2 million yuan (US$294,063) for each cosmetics enterprise annually.

With the electronic labels in the form of a QR code, consumers can scan it with their mobile devices to view the full labeling details of the cosmetics. Compared with traditional paper labels, electronic labels are not limited by packaging space and offer clearer, more readable information. Texts can also be enlarged or even read aloud.

Such labels can also help improve customs clearance efficiency and lower corporate label-related costs by nearly 70 percent, especially when labels need to be updated, firms will no longer have to print another sticker, Customs said.

The pilot program has been launched based on recognition of the mutual needs of supervision, and coordinated law enforcement between Customs and drug regulatory authorities, and it has become possible thanks to data-sharing technologies.

The Customs system can automatically verify electronic data sent by the drug regulatory body. Once confirmed that the information is consistent, on‑site label inspection is completed. This streamlines on‑port label verification procedures and shortens enterprise clearance time.

In addition, supported by technologies, including electronic labeling and big data analysis, routine post‑market supervision of cosmetics will shift from traditional random manual checks to online monitoring and automated screening.