South Korea Enacts the Requirements for Custom Cosmetics Sales Business

South Korea introduced the world's first legislation of custom cosmetics. After issuing the regulations on registration, ingredient compliance, MFDS disclosed the Requirements for Custom Cosmetics Sales Business ^[1] on October 29.

Present Regulations of Custom Cosmetics (enforcement date: March 14, 2020)

Business Registration: Article 3-2 of Cosmetics Act ^[2]

Compounding Managers Qualification: Article 3-4 of Cosmetics Act ^[2]

Ingredient Requirements: Article 5 of Regulation on Safety Standards,etc. for Cosmetics ^[3]

Custom cosmetics are blended or dispensed by a compounding manager at the business place, which is different from a traditional cosmetics product manufactured in factories. It is essential to reinforce the safety management on the manufacturing process at the stores. This regulation specifies the requirements to which the custom cosmetics sales businesses must adhere.

The main contents are as following:

1. Prohibited Scope of Custom Cosmetics

Custom cosmetics must not involve the following:

Manufactured or imported cosmetics for distribution or sale;

Manufactured or imported cosmetics used as promotional gifts or samples.

2. Operational Requirements

Before manufacture, the compounding manager shall decide which raw materials are to be used in custom cosmetics and ensure the quality and safety of the final products. The following information about the materials shall be checked:

a.	Whether the materials comply with the Regulation on Safety Standards, etc. for Cosmetics ^[3];
b.	Whether the shelf life of the materials is within the quality guarantee period.

The expiration date of the final custom cosmetics shall be labeled before that of the ingredients used. It is forbidden to blend or dispense custom cosmetics without assessing the customer's skin type or personal preference. Additionally, the compounding manager shall seal the remaining raw ingredient after blending the custom cosmetics.