5. Claim Requirements

Cosmetics
Japan

This section provides information on the definition of different types of claims and any restrictions or allowance of claims as well as claim registration processes.

5.1 Overview of Claims

5.1.1 Allowed Claims

Japan implemented a list of allowed efficacy claims for cosmetics which include 56 wordings [1]. See the list below:

1. Clean the scalp and hair.
2. To suppress unpleasant odor of hair and scalp by fragrance.
3. Keep scalp and hair healthy.
4. Give elasticity and strength to hair.
5. Moisturize the scalp and hair.
6. Keep scalp and hair moist.
7. Make hair supple.
8. The hair shall be easy to comb.
9. Keep hair shiny.
10. Gives luster to hair.
11. Dandruff and fuzziness are removed.
12. Suppresses dandruff and flyaway.
13. Replenish and maintain the moisture and oil of hair.
14. Prevent split, cut, and branched hair.
15. Shape and maintain hairstyle.
16. Prevent electrification of hair.
17. Clean the skin (by removing dirt).
18. (By washing) Prevent acne and acemo (cleanser).
19. Prepare the skin.
20. Regulates the texture of the skin.
21. Keep skin healthy.
22. Prevent rough skin.
23. Firms the skin.
    
24. Moisturize the skin.
25. Replenish and maintain moisture and oil of the skin.
26. Keep the flexibility of skin.
27. Protect the skin.
28. Prevent skin from drying out.
29. Soften the skin.
30. Give elasticity to the skin.
31. Gives luster to the skin.
32. Smoothing the skin.
33. Make shaving easier.
34. Prepare the skin after shaving.
35. Prevents heat rash (powder).
36. Prevent sunburns.
37. Prevents sun spots and freckles caused by sunburn.
38. Provide fragrance.
39. Protects nails.
40. Keep nails healthy.
41. Moisturizes the nails.
42. Prevent roughness of lips.
43. Regulates the texture of lips.
44. Moisturizes lips.
45. Smoothens the lips.
46. Protects lips. Prevents dryness of lips.
47. Prevents cracking of lips due to dryness.
48. Smoothing the lips.
49. Prevents dental caries (*) 
50. Whiten teeth (*).
51. Removes dental plaque (*).　　
52. Purifying the mouth (toothpaste) 
53. Prevention of bad breath (toothpaste)
54. Removal of dental calculus (*)
55. Prevent deposition of tartar (*)
56. Reduce fine wrinkles caused by dryness.

(*Toothpaste that should be brushed when used)

5.1.2 List of Prohibited Claims [1]

1. Anti-aging, rejuvenating
2. Lifting
3. Whitens spots and freckles
4. Prevents skin aging
5. Prevent wrinkles
6. Prevent dull skin
7. Penetrates deep into the skin
8. Antibacterial, sterilizing, and disinfecting
9. Regenerate damaged hair
10. Repairs damaged hair
11. Restores damaged hair
12. Restores healthy hair
13. Safety: assuring expression on safety is prohibited, even if they are safety
14. Efficacy: assuring expression on efficacy is prohibited; numerical expression, %, numbers, photos before and after use 

5.1.3 Specific Claims

The below claims require substantiation test/methods [1]:

1. "Free from" claims - Substantiation data: component analysis
2. Hypoallergenic claims - Substantiation data: patch test for sensitive skin or allergy testing or stinging test

5.2 Other Notes or Requirements for Claims

There is no procedure to register new claims in Japan.

5.3 References

1. Guidelines for Appropriate Advertising of Cosmetics refer to JCIA 

https://www.jcia.org/user/common/download/business/advertising/JCIA20200615_ADguide.pdf