Regulatory updates in South Korea (2024-2025): What cosmetics professionals need to know
Faced with an increasingly demanding domestic market and a tightened regulatory framework, manufacturers and distributors operating in South Korea must rapidly adapt their practices to remain competitive. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) recently revised several key provisions of the cosmetics regulations.
In early 2025, the MFDS introduced several key amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Cosmetics Act, with a focus on enhanced labelling and streamlined procedures.
As of early 2025, the following regulatory changes have been implemented by the MFDS:
- Mandatory labelling on outer packaging for all cosmetic products, including bundled or promotional sets
- Simplified labelling rules for cosmetic gift boxes, such as unified lot numbers and expiration dates
- Introduction of an official procedure to request the removal of banned ingredients or modifications to usage standards, now open to manufacturers, responsible distributors, and research institutions
- Strengthened penalties for false or misleading labelling or advertising involving medical or invasive uses
- Acceptance of electronic certificates for six categories of cosmetic-related administrative procedures, enhancing operational efficiency
Looking ahead, South Korea plans to implement a cosmetic safety evaluation system starting in 2028, with full enforcement by 2031. This system will require companies to assess ingredient safety, microbiological risks, and packaging stability. Evaluators must meet specific qualifications, and alternative methods like in silico modelling are encouraged.
At Eurofins C&PC, we support brands at every stage of their regulatory compliance, from ingredient analysis to claim validation. Thanks to our teams specialised in Asian regulations and our safety assessment tools, we can help you anticipate MFDS requirements and optimise your time-to-market.