All regulatory services know it: exporting to China is not easy. Administrative authorities, regulatory framework, product and ingredient registration…: Anne-Marie Breton, International Regulations Project Leader at FEBEA (France’s Federation of Beauty Companies), presented a thorough overview of the situation and its future changes at a conference at the Beyond Beauty show last September 11, 2014.
9,677,000 km² (a larger area than that of the United States), 1,350,000,000 inhabitants (19% of the world’s population), 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqin, Tianjin)… this is where you set foot when you export to China. “A huge market with huge challenges”, Anne-Marie Breton emphasized: it represented 346,442 thousand euros for French cosmetic exports in 2013.
The Chinese framework
The Communist Party of China is the unique governing body at the head of the country, over which it exerts a very strong controlling power. Then there is a powerful administration that produces numerous laws… but also provinces that enjoy a strong autonomy, hence the existence of various regimes depending on the region.
The responsibility system is very specific: in case of a health crisis (a sensitive subject in China), the administration is held responsible… but the company is considered guilty, and must provide evidence of the safety of its products.
In case of a problem, it is useless to consider opposing the administration, warns Anne-Marie Breton: the costs associated with the legal proceedings would be too high, and public law largely prevails over private law.
Authorities
• CFDA (China Food & Drug Administration)
It has …
