Regulation Outlook: South Korea Cosmetic Policy Plan 2025

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published a notice¹ on January 2, 2025, announcing the policy plan for cosmetic industry in 2025.

In 2024, MFDS achieved significant results in strengthening cosmetics safety management, focusing primarily on consumer safety related products such as patches, external genital cleansers, hair loss prevention products, and microneedles. With a vision to create a safer consumption environment, MFDS aims to establish a proactive and integrated safety management system of cosmetics. The core strategy for cosmetics management in 2025 is to "build a foundation for consumer confidence in cosmetic safety usage."

According to the announcement, MFDS plans to conduct quality inspections on 1,200 cosmetic items, including high-risk products for infants and children, and wet wipes, etc., in 2025. Additionally, MFDS will enhance inspections of online cosmetics sellers in collaboration with the cyber investigation team and will closely examine products purchased from overseas platforms, to ensure integrated monitoring both online and offline. Further details are provided below:

Cosmetic Enterprise Inspection	A. Inspection Efficiency Promotion MFDS aims to improve inspection efficiency by allowing self-inspections for companies under normal circumstances. Based on the results of these self-inspections, on-site monitoring will be conducted for companies that fail to submit required materials or demonstrate inadequate compliance. The inspection frequency is as follows: cosmetic manufacturers (화장품제조업자) will be monitored once every three years, while responsible sellers (화장품책임판매업자) and custom cosmetic sellers (맞춤형화장품판매업자) will be inspected according to local authorities’ programs. B. Post-Market Management Enhancement for GMP MFDS plans to conduct post-market management every three years for GMP-certified facilities (69 locations). C. Overseas Manufacturing Sites Evaluation MFDS plans to assess whether overseas manufacturing sites, which are exempt from quality inspections, meet or exceed domestic GMP standards (planned for 9 locations).
Quality Surveillance	The primary aim of Quality Surveillance is to swiftly collect and prioritize inspections of potentially harmful cosmetics. The authority plans to inspect 1,200 domestic products, including children’s cosmetics and wet wipes, as well as 1,080 overseas products purchased via online platforms. The specific products subject to quality surveillance will be selected by local agencies and municipalities based on social issues or reports of potential harm.
Labeling and Advertising Monitoring	A. Label Inspection Promotion MFDS plans to conduct label inspections in conjunction with Quality Surveillance inspections. For products purchased directly from overseas, compliance with ingredient labeling and checks for prohibited ingredients will occur simultaneously. B. Advertising Monitoring System Establishment MFDS plans to operate a continuous monitoring system for false and exaggerated cosmetic advertisements. This includes designating monitoring personnel and autonomous bodies to check illegal advertising and products with social issues. C. Integration of Online-Offline Inspection MFDS will conduct follow-up inspections on the labeling and advertising of products sold offline if illegal online behaviors are detected. D. Crackdown on Online Illegal Distribution Alongside monitoring for false and exaggerated advertisements, MFDS will inspect and take action against products containing prohibited ingredients, products sold by unregistered manufacturers and importers, and other products illegally distributed online. E. Collaboration with Cosmetic Associations MFDS plans to strengthen collaboration with cosmetic-related associations to optimize inspection procedures. During the pre-advertising and monitoring process by the Korea Cosmetics Association (KCA), cases verified as 'suitable' by the Korean Council of In Vitro Testing Centers can be exempted from MFDS verification. KCA is authorized to impose administrative penalties on enterprises found in violation during pre-advertising. However, first-time violators may be given an opportunity to correct their issues.
Cosmetics Safety Monitor	MFDS plans to designate a Consumer Cosmetics Safety Monitor for each Regional Office of the Food and Drug Administration. This monitor will conduct mandatory training and assist officials in on-site inspections and other activities.

ChemLinked Notes

Korean authorities have been dedicated to inspecting noncompliant cosmetic labeling and advertising for years. Noncompliance can lead to administrative penalties and business suspensions. In South Korea, the use of medical-like expressions, unrecognized efficacy claims, and natural or organic claims for unregistered products is prohibited in cosmetic labels and advertisements.

Additionally, the 2025 policy plan highlights a focus on inspecting overseas products purchased through online platforms. Following inspections of overseas food products, the MFDS is now enhancing cosmetic management in this area. Enterprises selling cosmetics to South Korea via overseas online platforms are advised to ensure product compliance to avoid import failures.

Learn more about Korean cosmetic regulation at ChemLinked CosmePedia: