Korean MFDS Announced Revisions to Cosmetic Safety Standards

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Korea has issued a bulletin on 18 September, introducing several revisions to its “Relevant Stipulations on Cosmetic Safety Standard”, amid the country’s sweeping effort in revamping its regulatory system with an aim to better regulate chemical substances.

Adjustment was made to the permitted value of p—Xylene residue, a prohibited substance that would occur as byproduct from production using polymer resin in such cosmetic products like nail polish and nail enamel. The previous maximum concentration was increased from 0.002% to 0.01% with a hazard assessment to confirm its safety as prerequisite.

“Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride” was added into the list of disinfectant preservative according to the latest hazard assessment result and the “Use Limit” of “Drometrizole” in “Usage Standard” was cut from 7% to 1%.

The safety standard regarding “culture solution of human cell tissue” was amended by enforcing mandatory testing obligation on residue of prohibited substance had it been added in the production of the culture solution.

Meanwhile, further clarification was laid down in “Testing Method of Safe Management” for the cosmetics already in market circulation by re-defining what is previously called “trial material (clinical sample)” to “contents in cosmetic products expect semi-finished ones” as well as specifying corresponding testing method.

The revisions are now open for public consultation until 17 November 2015. 

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