Request a DemoPrior to 2000, Cosmetic was managed as medicine under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act in South Korea, which held back the industry growth. To facilitate proper safety control and international trade, the South Korean government established the legislation of cosmetics on July 1, 2000. The new legislation regulated the cosmetic manufacturing, importing, and safety evaluating, increasing competitiveness of the K-beauty industry.
Chapter 1. Regulatory Framework and Competent Authority
1.1. Existing Main Cosmetic Regulations in South Korea
South Korea's law hierarchy contains superordinate laws and supporting rules. The main law, acknowledged as "XXX Act", is an overarching law. It specifies all aspects of requirements related to the subject. The main law along with a presidential decree (Enforcement Decree of XXX Act) and an ordinance of the Prime Minister (Enforcement Rule of XXX Act) forms the superordinate laws. In addition, there are numerous supporting rules to enrich the management scheme.
The regulations in the law system for the cosmetic industry in S. Korea are:
Superordinate Laws
| Effective Date | Status |
(A law comprehensively regulating every aspect of cosmetics management) | 2021-08-17 Original Sep.1999 | In Force |
Enforcement Decree of Cosmetics Act
(The regulation guiding the government's supervision) | 2020-03-14 Original Mar. 2013 | In Force |
Enforcement Rule of Cosmetics Act
(The regulation detailing the rules for implementation) | 2023-06-22 Original Sep.1999 | In Force |
Supporting Regulations
| Effective Date | Status |
Regulation on Safety Standards, etc. for Cosmetics (The safety control regulation including the standards of ingredients and other cosmetic safety management matters. Applicable to all manufactured, imported, and distributed cosmetics.) | 2023-08-22 Original Sep.1999 | Draft |
Types, Standards, and Test Methods of Cosmetic Color Additives
(Color additives requirements) | 2022-1-14 Original Oct. 2011 | In Force |
Regulation on the Demonstration of Labeling and Advertisement for Cosmetic Products
(Label and advertisement standard) | 2020-09-04 Original Nov. 2012 | In Force |
Regulation on the Examination of Designation and Changes of Cosmetics Ingredient Standards
(The regulation about applying for a certificate on a new restricted ingredient or a new standard of restricted cosmetic) | 2020-06-15 Original Jun. 2020 | In Force |
Standards and Testing Methods of Functional Cosmetics
(Quality standards for functional cosmetics) | 2020-12-30 Original Jul.2001 | In Force |
Functional Cosmetics Evaluation Regulation
(Requirements about the application dossiers of functional cosmetics) | 2020-6-30 Original Aug.2008 | In Force |
Requirements for Custom Cosmetics Sales Business
(The standards of producing a custom cosmetic by blending or dividing a cosmetic) | 2022-1-14 Original Oct. 2020 | In Force |
Requirement on Operating Custom Cosmetics Compounding Manager Qualification Test
(Requirement about operating the qualification test for custom cosmetics compounding manager) | 2020-09-01 Original Feb. 2020 | In Force |
Regulation on the Preparation and Storage of Infants and Children Cosmetic Safety Data
(The regulation about the safety data preparation and storage for children's cosmetics) | 2020-07-24 Original July. 2020 | In Force |
Regulations on Cosmetic Good Manufacturing and Quality Control Practices
(The regulation about cosmetic GMP) | 2020-02-25 Original Dec.2000 | In Force |
| Regulation on the Management of Safety Information for Cosmetics
(The regulation about reporting the hazard information about the cosmetics) | 2020-06-23 Original Mar. 2011 | In Force |
Regulations on the Remission of Quality Inspection for Imported Cosmetics (The regulation details the requirements for applying the remission of import inspection) | 2020-02-25 Original Aug. 2009 | In Force |
Regulation for Notification of Cosmetics Manufacturing & Import Amount and Lists of Ingredients (Necessary matters relevant to notification of cosmetics manufacturing and import amount and ingredients) | 2020-02-25 Original Dec. 2012 | In Force |
Regulation of Labelling Cosmetics Precautions for Use and Fragrance Allergens ( fragrance allergens labeling standard) | 2019-12-16 Original Dec. 2002 | In Force |
Cosmetics Barcode Creation and Management Standard (Barcode labeling standard) | 2020-02-25 Original Dec. 2001 | In Force |
1.2. Competent Authority
In South Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) mainly take charge of cosmetic safety management, responsible for formulating cosmetic regulations and reviewing business registrations.
The Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association (KPTA), although not a government insititute, is worth to be noticed by imported cosmetic companies. KPTA mainly evaluates the safety and effectiveness of cosmetics as well as issues the approval of entry notice of imported products.
Chapter 2. Cosmetic Products
2.1. Definition of Cosmetic Products
In South Korea, "cosmetics" are products applied to human bodies for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or maintaining/improving the health of skin and hair.
2.2. Classification of Cosmetic Products
Cosmetics can be classified into two main types in South Korea: "general cosmetics" and "functional cosmetics."
| Functional Cosmetic | Any of the following cosmetics:
|
| General Cosmetics | Cosmetics not falling into the above category. |
In addition, on March 13, 2018, MFDS introduced three new categories: "natural cosmetic", "organic cosmetic", and "custom cosmetic", amending the Cosmetics Act (No. 15488).
Natural Cosmetic | Cosmetics containing animal and plant ingredients and their derivative materials (Natural ingredient concentration > 95%) |
Organic Cosmetic | Cosmetics containing organic ingredients and ingredients derived from animals and plants. (Organic ingredient concentration > 10%; Natural ingredients > 95%) |
Custom Cosmetic | Any of the following cosmetics: a) Cosmetics made by mixing the (A) contents of a manufactured or imported cosmetic with (B) the contents of any other cosmetic or raw material; b) Cosmetics repackaged by dividing the contents of a manufactured or imported cosmetic into smaller amounts; |
A natural/organic cosmetic can be either a functional cosmetic or a general cosmetic, as long as the relevant product meets the standards of the natural/organic cosmetic.
However, note that "custom cosmetic" cannot be mixed with functional raw materials, i.e. "custom cosmetic" is subject to "general cosmetic".
2.3. Registration of Responsible Cosmetic Distribution Business
(A) Qualification
To conduct cosmetic distribution business in South Korea, the business entity shall comply with the standards for quality control and responsible post-sale safety control of cosmetics, which are prescribed by Enforcement Rule of Cosmetics Act, and shall employ a "responsible distribution manager" capable of managing such standards.
| Cosmetic Quality Control |
|
| Responsible Post-sale Safety Control |
|
(B) Application
The business entity shall apply to MFDS for the registration of "Responsible Cosmetic Distribution Business" with the following dossiers:
| 1 | Application letter |
| 2 | Proofs about complying with the standards for quality control and responsible post-sale safety control of cosmetics |
| 3 | Qualification certificate of responsible distribution manager |
2.4. General Cosmetic Safety Requirements
(A) Ingredient Requirements
MFDS has issued 1032 prohibited ingredients that cannot be added in cosmetics.
Furthermore, the manufacturer shall only use the restricted preservatives, restricted UV-filter ingredients, restricted hair dye ingredients, and other restricted ingredients under the specific conditions given in relevant requirements due to safety problems.
If the enterprise intends to use a non-specified restricted ingredient, the enterprise needs to apply to MFDS for the approval. The application dossiers contain:
| 1 | Application letter |
| 2 | A summary of all submitting documents |
| 3 | The origin, development process, usage standard, and usage situation of the ingredient |
| 4 | Properties of the ingredient |
| 5 | Safety and efficacy documents (if necessary) |
| 6 | Data of the ingredient standard and test method |
(B) Microbial Limits:
1 | The total aerobic bacterial count in infant and children's cosmetics or eye make-ups : less than 500 cfu/g or cfu/mL |
2 | The bacteria in wet tissue: less than 100 cfu/g or 100 cfu/ml; The fungi in wet tissue: less than 100 cfu/g or 100 cfu/ml; |
3 | Microorganisms in other cosmetics: less than 1000 cfu/g or 1000 cfu/ml; |
4 | Escherichia Coli: negative; Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: negative; Staphylococcus Aureus: negative |
(C) Migration Amount
The substances that might migrate from cosmetic packages shall be:
1 | Lead in powder product with clay material: less than 50㎍/g; Lead in other products: less than 20㎍/g. |
2 | Nickel in eye make-ups: less than 35㎍/g; Nickel in make-ups: less than 30㎍/g; Nickel in other products: less than 10㎍/g. |
3 | Arsenic: less than 10㎍/g. |
4 | Hydrargyrum: less than 1㎍/g. |
5 | Antimony: less than 10㎍/g. |
6 | Cadmium: less than 5 ㎍/g. |
7 | Dioxane: less than 100㎍/g. |
8 | Methanol in wet tissue: less than 0.002%(v/v); Methanol in other cosmetics: less than 0.2(v/v) %. |
9 | Formaldehyde in wet tissue: less than 20㎍/g; Formaldehyde in other cosmetics: less than 2000㎍/g. |
10 | Phthalate group (total amount of DBP, BBP and DEHP): less than 100㎍/g. |
(D) Label Requirement
General Label Items:
a) Product name; b) Trade name and address of the business operator; c) All ingredients; d) Volume or weight of contents; e) Manufacturing number; f) Use-by date; g) Price; h) Cautions for use; i) Bar code. |
Label Information for Special Situations:
a) For an imported cosmetic: the manufacturing country, manufacturing company's name, and location b) For a functional cosmetic: the efficacy and use methods; c) For a function cosmetic with the efficacy of "anti-hair loss", "anti-acne", "anti-itching" or "thinning red lines": "Not a medicine for curing or preventing a disease (질병의 예방 및 치료를 위한 의약품이 아님)" d) For a children's cosmetic: the contents of preservatives e) For a natural or organic cosmetic: the contents of natural or organic ingredients |
2.5. Functional Cosmetics
For functional cosmetics whose functional ingredients are listed in Standards and Testing Methods of Functional Cosmetics (Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex, KFCC), the enterprises need to submit a report the MFDS. When the report passed MFDS' review, enterprises can download the report as a certificate document.
If the functional ingredient are not listed in the Standards and Testing Methods of Functional Cosmetics (Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex, KFCC), the product should undergo an exaimination conducted by MFDS. Enterprises shall submit the dossiers about ingredient’s origin and development, safety data, efficacy data, and so on. MFDS will examine the dossiers and notify the result to the enterprises.
The report or evaluation result of the functional cosmetic is essential for the entry notice of imported products when selling functional cosmetics to South Korea.
The dossiers for evaluation involve:
1. Data concerning the origin and explanations on development; 2. Data concerning safety; 3. Data concerning efficacy; 4. Evidential data for establishing ultraviolet ray-protection factor and the protection grade of ultraviolet A (limited to sunblock cosmetics); 5. Data concerning standards and testing methods (including clinical specimens). |
(Logo of Functional Cosmetic)
The word "functional cosmetic (기능성화장품)" or a functional cosmetic logo can be labeled on a qualified functional cosmetic.
Indepth interpretation of functional cosmetic: ChemLinked Cosmepedia: South Korea Functional Cosmetic Regulation
2.6. Animal Testing
According to Cosmetics Act, no cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients for which animal testing was conducted, should be distributed in South Korea. The ban on animal testing also applies to imported cosmetics. However, MFDS specifies six situations which animal testing can be adopted on cosmetics when necessary, such as cosmetics for exporting, rstricted ingredients, etc.
To guide enterprises in smoothly conducting safety tests, the Korean authority has published twenty-nine guidelines on alternative animal testing methods. Here is the a collection of all the alternative animal testing guidelines and exemptions.
Chapter 3. Natural and Organic Cosmetics
Before selling or import natural or organic cosmetics, the enterprise needs to apply for a certificate to MFDS. MFDS will certify a cosmetic that is made following Regulations on the Standards of Natural and Organic Cosmetic Products.
The approved ingredients for "natural cosmetics" or "organic cosmetics" are:
1. Natural Ingredients 2. Natural Derived Ingredients 3. Water 4. Other Permitted Ingredients 5. Permitted Synthetic Preservatives and Denaturants 6. Ingredients containing both natural and petrochemical moiety |
The product can be labeled with "natural cosmetic" or "organic cosmetic" after obtaining MFDS' approval. The figures are as below:
(Natural Cosmetic Label and Organic Cosmetic Label)
Chapter 4. Custom Cosmetic
Any enterprise intending to conduct custom cosmetic business in S. Korea shall employ a "custom cosmetic compounding manager" to control the product safety. The enterprise needs to file a report of "custom cosmetic sales business" indicating the compounding manager's qualification certificate with MFDS. The authority will issue a certificate of completion of the report to the applicant after confirming the details.
All cosmetic ingredients are applicable for custom cosmetics, excluding:
Restricted ingredients (restricted preservatives, restricted UV-filter ingredients, restricted hair dye ingredients, and other restricted ingredients)
The sellers should blend or divide the cosmetics for the customers following the Requirements for Custom Cosmetics Sales Business.
Chapter 5. Import Procedure
The overseas enterprise needs to establish a "responsible cosmetic distributor" as an importer at first. The importer will take charge of the cosmetic's quality and safety as well as distribute the products in S. Korea. Also, the "responsible cosmetic distributor" should apply for the registration of "responsible cosmetic distribution business" to MFDS, reporting the product's ingredients and manufacturing methods.
Each time before import, the distributor should submit an "entry notice of imported products" to KPTA and get an approval.
The dossiers for applying the approval include:
| No | Dossier | Submission Method |
| 1 | Application letter for the approval of "Entry notice of imported products" | Online submission |
| 2 | Certificate of responsible cosmetic distributor (Copy) | By mail/ Online submission |
| 3 | Certificate of business registration (Copy) | By mail/ Online submission |
| 4 | Documents about Functional Cosmetics (only for functional cosmetics) (Copy) | By mail/ Online submission |
| 5 | Manufacture certificate (A notarial certificate including the information of product name, ingredient name, ingredient specifications, etc.) (Original version) | By mail/ Online submission |
| 6 | Sale certificate (A certificate issued by the export country government, evidencing the fact that the product has been sold in the relevant region.) (Original version) | By mail/ Online submission |
| 7 | TSE(BSE) related documents (Certificates verifying the products are manufactured without raw materials divided from TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy) or BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) infected animals) (Original version) | By mail only |
The importer can move to the next step and apply for an import declaration to the Korea Customs Service (KCS) after receiving the approval from KPTA. The KCS will check KPTA's approval as well as the packing list, invoice, B/L (bill of lading), etc. Products without the KPTA's permission are not permitted to pass through customs.
The export flow chart is listed below:
(Cosmetic Export Flow Chart)
Note only after finishing all inspections, can the products be attached with labels in Korean and sold in S. Korea.
Read More
Free Webinar (Sept 5, 2024): South Korea Cosmetic Regulation Compliance and Latest Updates
Quasi-drug compliance: South Korea Quasi-Drug Regulation
Functional cosmetic compliance: South Korea Functional Cosmetic Regulation
ChemLinked Services about S. Korea Cosmetics
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