Korea MFDS Revises Imported Cosmetics Quality Inspection Exemption Rules

On October 1st the Korean MFDS released part of a revision to its imported cosmetics quality inspection exemption rules(you may also want to see: Korean MFDS Announced Revisions to Cosmetic Safety Standards), which took effect immediately upon the date of release. Exemption qualification criteria have been raised and new contents were added into the rule to specify “Identification Cancellation” procedures (a new scheme to screen Korean cosmetic importers).

The exemption rule was made to meet the rising demand from domestic importers calling for the removal of quality inspection of imported cosmetics. By complying with certain requirements including the application procedure, materials for submission and assessment method, applicants can convince the competent authority of their ability to autonomously handle quality management of imported cosmetics. Identification Cancellation was first introduced in the published revision, and has been implemented to cross-check submitted documentation.

The Identification Cancellation policy requires a specific procedure to be followed:

1. The manufacturers or distributors who initially fail to deliver complete information are given a second chance

2. The manufacturers or distributors who fail to complete the application information before due date are denied the right to proceed with the application;

3. From the day after the cancellation is announced, quality inspection is resumed.

In addition to identification cancellation the revision also includes a new requirement for authorities to conduct official review every three years in accordance with “President Decree No. 248”. 

Reference: https://www.kcia.or.kr/_Document/news/NEWS_020V.asp?gPage=2&SearchField=dvTitle&SearchValue=&OrderField=&OrderValue