South Korea Cosmetics Safety Regulations
U.S. cosmetics exporters to South Korea face new regulatory requirements beginning in 2028 as a response to shifting consumer expectations. The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has announced significant revisions to its cosmetics regulatory framework. The changes are designed to strengthen safety oversight throughout the product lifecycle—from raw materials to finished goods—while harmonizing domestic regulations with global standards and enhancing consumer protection.
South Korea remains at the forefront of the global beauty and cosmetics industry, driving innovation and setting international trends. The local market is shaped by a beauty-conscious consumer base that embraces advanced skincare routines, demands cutting-edge ingredients, and shows strong interest in sustainable, eco-friendly products. In particular, clean, vegan, derma (cosmeceutical), and personalized formulations are experiencing strong growth among Korean consumers.
Under a proposed bill announced on June 30, 2025, all “cosmetics responsible sellers”—including distributors of both domestic and imported products—will be required to prepare and retain safety assessment reports reviewed and approved by qualified safety assessors before product launch. While these reports do not need to be submitted to MFDS in advance, companies must be able to present them upon request. This requirement applies to all cosmetics, whether manufactured locally or imported. Small businesses without in-house assessment teams may use third-party institutions during early implantation. Additionally, companies may submit safety assessment reports already approved under foreign regulations such as the U.S. FDA’s Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) based reports, provided these also meet Korean standards. The MFDS plans to issue detailed guidelines specifying minimum requirements and providing tailored instructions for local conditions.
The MFDS intends to carry out pilot projects between 2026 and 2027, initiate phased implementation in 2028 according to industry size and product characteristics, and move toward full-scale enforcement beginning in 2031. From 2028 to 2030, the requirements will apply first to companies with annual production or import volumes exceeding KRW 1 billion (approximately $750,000). Beginning in 2028, the system will also cover newly approved functional cosmetics and products designed for infants and children. By 2031, the regulations will be fully enforced across all companies and products.
To ensure smooth adoption, the MFDS is also preparing a set of support tools, including a comprehensive ingredient safety database covering both domestic and international sources; publication of ingredient safety and risk assessments; consultation services for product safety evaluations; expanded training programs to build assessor expertise; designation of specialized institutions to provide professional evaluation support; and enhanced international cooperation for regulatory harmonization and emerging safety concerns.
As the regulatory landscape in South Korea evolves, U.S. cosmetics exporters are encouraged to stay proactive. Ensuring that products are supported by reliable safety data, verifying ingredient compliance with local regulations, and closely monitoring implementation timelines will be essential.
To assist with these efforts, the U.S. Commercial Service in South Korea offers expert guidance and market-entry support. For more information or to schedule a consultation, exporters may contact the U.S. Commercial Service at Office.Seoul@trade.gov.