China NMPA Inspection - Friends Co., Ltd. - November 17, 2023

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China announced the results of an unannounced inspection conducted on Japan's Friends Co., Ltd. (also referred to as Tomo Co., Ltd.) prior to November 16, 2023. The inspection revealed that the company had violated provisions within the "Cosmetics Supervision and Management Regulations" and the "Cosmetics Production and Operation Supervision and Management Measures." While specific details of the violations were not disclosed in the announcement, the company has acknowledged the identified issues. To safeguard public cosmetic safety, the NMPA has directed the Shanghai Municipal Drug Administration to address these suspected illegal activities. Consequently, Japan's Friends Co., Ltd. has been mandated to immediately cease all suspected unlawful operations, implement necessary rectifications, and is currently subject to a formal investigation initiated by the Shanghai Municipal Drug Administration. This action underscores the NMPA's commitment to enforcing cosmetic product integrity and consumer protection.