Takehome:
Korea prohibits the use of microbeads with diameter less than 5mm in cosmetics (especially cleansing products) since July 1st 2017.
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), 22 plastic components are excluded from the scope of microbead. However, Korea requires imported cosmetics containing these 22 components to submit a notification report to KPTA for assessment during customs clearance.
UNEP 22 components
|
No. |
Component |
|
1. |
Polyethylene |
|
2. |
Polypropylene |
|
3. |
Polystyrene |
|
4. |
Nylon-12(polyamide-12) |
|
5. |
Nylon-6 |
|
6. |
Poly (butylene terephthalate) |
|
7. |
Poly (ethylene isoterephthalata Te) |
|
8. |
Poly (ethylene terephthalate) |
|
9. |
Poly (methyl methylacrylate) |
|
10. |
Poly (pentaerythrityl terephthalate) |
|
11 |
Poly (propylene terephthalat) |
|
12. |
Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) |
|
13. |
Polyurethane |
|
14. |
Polyacrylate |
|
15. |
Acrylates |
|
16. |
Copolymer |
|
17. |
Allystearate/vinyl acetate copolymers |
|
18. |
Ethylene propylene/styrene copolymer |
|
19. |
Ethylene ethylene/ acrylate copolymer |
|
20. |
Butylene/ ethylene/styrene copolymer |
|
21. |
Styrene acrylates copolymer |
|
22. |
Trimethylsiloxysilicate (silicone resin) |
We provide full-scale global cosmetic market entry services (including cosmetic registering & filing, regulatory consultation, customized training, market research, branding strategy). Please contact us to discuss how we can help you by 
