1. Why Are Chinese Cosmetics OEM Factories the Global First Choice? (Authority Backed by Data)
The scale of China’s cosmetics OEM/ODM industry is expected to reach 496 billion yuan in 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 8.5%. Guangdong Province is home to over 60% of the country’s large-scale enterprises (more than 800), forming a complete industrial chain from raw materials to product filing. This industrial density brings three core advantages:
- Cost Controllability: The Pearl River Delta supply chain reduces raw material procurement costs by 30%-40% compared to Europe and the US, while shortening the response cycle to 7-15 days.
- Compliance Maturity: 78.6% of leading factories have obtained GMP certification and can simultaneously meet the filing requirements of multiple countries such as FDA (US) and CPNP (EU).
- R&D Iteration Capability: Leading enterprises invest over 5% of their revenue in R&D. Companies like Nosbel launch more than 120 new products annually.
2. 6 Core Criteria for High-Quality OEM Factories in 2025 (Professional Breakdown)
1. Production Hardware: From Basic Capacity to Intelligent Management
- Cleanliness Level: Must have a Class 100,000 or higher dust-free workshop. Leading factories like Obeis have built an 8,000㎡ Class 100 workshop.
- Equipment Configuration: Fully automated filling lines can control the defect rate within 0.2%, and the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) enables full traceability of production processes.
- Capacity Flexibility: Daily capacity should cover the range of 10,000-1,000,000 units to meet the trial production needs of startup brands and mass production needs of mature brands.
2. R&D Capability: The Key to Product Competitiveness
- Team Configuration: At least 20 R&D personnel, with engineers having over 10 years of experience accounting for no less than 30%.
- Technology Reserve: Must hold more than 50 patented technologies, especially in the field of functional ingredients (e.g., hyaluronic acid, plant extracts).
- Trend Insight: Ability to provide market analysis reports, such as formula solutions for hot tracks in 2025 like anti-aging and sensitive skin repair.
3. Qualification Certifications: Admission Tickets to Global Markets
Necessary certification list (sorted by priority):
| Certification Type | Applicable Market | Core Function |
| ISO 22716 | Globally Applicable | Recognition of production quality management system |
| FDA Registration | US Market | Statutory requirement for product import and sales |
| CPNP Filing | EU Market | Pre-market approval for cosmetics |
| HALAL Certification | Middle East/Southeast Asia Markets | Halal compliance certification |
4. Service Capability: Upgrade from OEM to Symbiotic Partnership
One-stop services include:
- Early Stage: Market research → Formula development → Packaging design
- Mid Stage: Small-batch trial production → Efficacy testing → Stability testing
- Late Stage: Multi-country filing agency services → Logistics and warehousing → After-sales support
Case Study: Obeis has shortened the market launch cycle for cross-border brands by 40% through its “one-on-one engineer docking” model.
5. Compliance Management: The Bottom Line Amid Tightening Policies
- Raw Material Control: Establish a Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) self-inspection system, aligning with Google’s supply chain safety standards.
- Labeling Standards: Strictly comply with the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics, avoiding prohibited claims such as “medicated cosmetics” and “medical-grade”.
- Record Retention: Production records must be kept for no less than 3 years to cope with unannounced regulatory inspections.
6. Sustainability: A Bonus for Future Cooperation
- Environmental Practices: Adoption of biodegradable packaging and solar-powered workshops.
- ESG Layout: Leading enterprises have established carbon footprint tracking systems to meet the sustainable development needs of global brands.
3. Pitfall Avoidance Guide: 5 Key Actions for Choosing an OEM Factory (Experience Summary)
- 3 Focus Areas for On-Site Inspections:
- Check the workshop’s temperature and humidity control system (deviation should be ≤ ±2℃).
- Verify the traceability labels in the raw material warehouse (must include CAS number and supplier qualifications).
- Observe laboratory equipment (e.g., configuration of testing equipment like high-performance liquid chromatography).
- 2 Dimensions for Sample Testing:
- Efficacy Testing: Commission a third-party institution to conduct human patch tests.
- Stability Testing: Simulate 3 extreme environments (45℃ high temperature / -10℃ low temperature / 60% high humidity) for 3 months of storage.
- Qualification Verification Tips:
Query the production license on the official website of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to confirm that the “production scope” includes the required categories (e.g., creams/lotions, aerosols).
- 4 Clauses to Clarify in Contracts:
Formula ownership, minimum order quantity (MOQ), compensation for delivery delays, and non-disclosure agreement (NDA) (especially for exclusive formulas).
- Background Check Channels:
- Qichacha (Chinese enterprise information platform): Check for administrative penalty records.
- Social Media: Search for customer reviews, and be alert to “paid positive reviews” and “concentrated negative reviews”.
4. Recommended Cost-Effective Cooperation Plans in 2025 (Credibility Support)
1. Entry-Level Package for Startup Brands
- MOQ: 500-1,000 units per SKU
- Core Services: Basic formula + General packaging + Domestic filing
- Reference Price: 8-15 yuan/unit (calculated based on 30ml face cream)
- Suitable Factories: Medium-sized factories in the Pearl River Delta (e.g., Gurao Town Cluster in Shantou)
2. Advanced Plan for Cross-Border Brands
- MOQ: 2,000-5,000 units per SKU
- Core Services: Customized formula + Packaging design + Multi-country filing agency services
- Reference Price: 12-25 yuan/unit
- Suitable Factories: Leading enterprises with export qualifications such as Cosmax and Intercos
3. High-End Customization for Functional Brands
- MOQ: 10,000+ units per SKU
- Core Services: Patented ingredient development + Clinical efficacy verification + Full-case design
- Reference Price: Starting from 30 yuan/unit
- Suitable Factories: Nosbel (specialized in face masks), Yisijia (specialized in sensitive skin repair)
