China's first! Group Standard for Ceramide Raw Material Released

On August 21, 2025, the 3rd China Anti-Aging Cosmetics Academic Forum (CACAF-3) was grandly held at the Hangzhou International Expo Center. During the forum, a long-awaited group standard, “Cosmetic Raw Materials – Ceramides” (Standard No.: T/ZGKSL 024—2025), led by Hangzhou Viablife Biotech Co., Ltd. and managed under the auspices of the China Anti-Aging Promotion Association, was officially released. This standard is expected to drive high-quality development in the anti-aging cosmetics industry (hereinafter referred to as the Group Standard).

Collaborative Effort Ensures Scientific Rigor

The development of this standard brought together expertise from 15 institutions and enterprises, forming a “production–research–application” integrated framework. Key participants include Hangzhou Viablife Biotech Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University First Affiliated Hospital, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Yiwei Testing Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Huanya Cosmetics Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing Anu Cosmetics Co., Ltd., Gu Yu Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., and others.

Such a diverse collaborative effort ensures that the standard is not only scientifically rigorous but also practically applicable, reflecting the latest technological and industrial advancements in the field of ceramides.

Driving Industry Upgrades from Raw Material to Market

Filling the Standards Gap and Building Technical Authority

Ceramides, known as the “golden ingredient” for skin barrier repair, have long faced challenges such as purity fluctuations and efficacy misrepresentation. The new Group Standard is the first to establish a full-chain technical framework, covering raw material quality, safety limits, and process specifications. This fills a critical gap in both national and industry standards, providing an authoritative benchmark for ingredient authenticity and helping align China’s cosmetic standards with international norms.

Restructuring Industry Value and Reducing Inefficient Competition

By unifying technical specifications, the standard directly addresses the issue of “concept-based additions,” encouraging companies to shift focus from marketing hype to evidence-based efficacy. Safety limits and zero-tolerance clauses for risky substances compel companies to upgrade production processes, fostering a market that emphasizes value over price.

Technical Foundation and Industry Self-Regulation

Ceramides play a crucial role in moisturizing, anti-aging, and repairing cosmetics. Variations in raw material purity directly affect product efficacy and safety. The Group Standard provides a solid technical foundation for product development, enabling cosmetic manufacturers to select raw materials according to a unified benchmark, which enhances formulation stability and reproducibility of effects.

The standard also reflects a growing commitment to industry self-regulation. From project approval, drafting, and public consultation to expert review, every stage of the standard's development demonstrates industry-wide consensus and scientific rigor.

As outlined in the Group Standard Management Regulations issued by the Standardization Administration of China and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, well-implemented group standards can eventually be transformed into national, industry, or local standards, and may also be incorporated into government policies, procurement, testing, certification, and awards.

With more high-quality enterprises adopting this standard, the industry’s self-discipline and quality awareness are expected to continuously drive full supply chain quality upgrades.

Launch Ceremony Highlights

During the formal release ceremony, Ms. Zhang Xiaohong, Director of the Group Standard Office, officially announced the publication of the standard. Key industry leaders, including Mr. Zhu Yilin, Executive Vice President of the China Anti-Aging Promotion Association, and representatives from top research and enterprise institutions, participated in the event.

The ceremony also included awards for contributing organizations and experts, acknowledging their indispensable role in standard development. Subsequently, Ms. He Xinyuan, Senior Product Manager at Viablife, delivered a detailed interpretation of the standard, sharing the “Ceramide China Solution” research report. She emphasized that the standard fills a domestic gap and provides a scientific basis and technical specification for ceramide raw material quality control.

Industry Reactions: Far-Reaching Impact

Unified Standards for a Mature Market

Mr. Cheng Wei, President of the China Anti-Aging Promotion Association’s Cosmetics Branch, noted that this is the first national-level association-released standard for ceramide raw materials. It provides unified purity testing methods and establishes a cornerstone for production and quality control, representing a key step in the standardization of functional cosmetic ingredients in China.

Hangzhou Yiwei Testing Technology Co., Ltd. highlighted that the standard:

1. Regulates the raw material market and eliminates concept-based additions

2. Raises industry entry thresholds, driving technological upgrades

3. Empowers brands with evidence-based product claims

4. Supports testing organizations with authoritative evaluation methods

5. Rebuilds consumer trust and promotes market health

Future Outlook: The Global Value of the “China Solution”

Mr. Tao Fuping, General Manager of Hangzhou Viablife Biotech Co., Ltd., emphasized that the standard not only sets clear rules for the market but also reflects China’s ambition to lead global cosmetic standards through technological innovation.

Viablife’s “China Solution” leverages synthetic biology technology to produce high-purity, high-quality ceramides at significantly reduced costs, transforming a traditionally high-end ingredient into an accessible, high-value raw material. This approach demonstrates how innovation-driven technology can create universal benefits, positioning China as a key global player in the cosmetics industry.

The Viablife ceramide raw material portfolio includes Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide 50, CeraMix Plus, Phytos, and TAPS.To enhance efficacy, Viablife has introduced a range of ceramide products with varying purity levels. Additionally, Viablife offers advanced forms such as ceramide microcapsules, transparent aqueous solutions, transparent oil-based solutions, and biomimetic liquid crystal systems. Furthermore, Viablife provides customized formulation recommendations based on specific customer requirements, ensuring optimal usability of ceramide raw materials from the outset and supporting customers in the development and production of high-quality, high-standard formulations. 

Conclusion

The release of the Ceramide Raw Material Group Standard is a milestone for China’s anti-aging cosmetics industry. It enhances industry self-regulation, strengthens technical authority, and guides the market toward evidence-based, high-quality innovation. With widespread adoption, this standard is poised to become a national benchmark and eventually influence global cosmetic standards, benefiting enterprises, consumers, and the industry as a whole.