South Korea Clarifies Details of Packaging Material Grade Labeling

On Feb 17, 2020, the South Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) released and implemented the Standard for Packaging Material Grade Labeling ^[1]. The standard clarifies the details of packaging material grade labeling.

Background

On Dec 25, 2019, South Korea implemented the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources ^[2], which banned the use of PVC materials in cosmetics and required enterprises to label the packaging material grade.

The Act classifies packaging materials into four grades, which are best, excellent, good, and difficult (to recycle). Cosmetic manufacturers and importers must submit a packaging grade evaluation report to the Korea Environment Corporation (KEC), receive the confirmation of the grade from KEC, and mark it on Korean label within six months.

Packaging Material Grade Labeling

• Method, Color, and Position

1. The packaging material grade shall be labeled on at least one surface of the product or packaging through print, stamp, or Korean label attachment.

2. The color of the packaging material grade should be in high contrast with the product or packaging color.

3.

Example

• Exemption

1. If the evaluation result of packaging material grade is best, excellent or good, it can be exempted from labeling

2. Other exemptions designated by MOE