South Korea Enforces Cosmetics Safety and Labeling Standards

South Korea has implemented mandatory safety verification and labeling requirements for cosmetics across the domestic market, including face cream, body lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, and face wash, under two key regulatory frameworks.

Regulation Analysis

South Korea regulates cosmetics and consumer chemical products (including face cream, body lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, and face wash) under two key frameworks:

1. Designation of Consumer Chemical Products subject to Safety Verification, and Safety and Labeling Standards (hereafter "Safety Verification Notice")¹
2. Designation of Consumer Chemical Products subject to Safety Confirmation, and Safety and Labeling Standards (hereafter "Safety Confirmation Notice")²

These frameworks establish mandatory safety verification, chemical restrictions, and labeling requirements for products sold in the domestic market. Below is a structured breakdown of the compliance requirements.

1. Product Scope and Applicability

The regulations apply to safety-confirmation-target consumer chemical products (안전확인대상 생활화학제품), which include:

• Cosmetics (e.g., face cream, body lotion, shampoo, face wash)
• Household chemical products (e.g., toothpaste, detergents, adhesives, disinfectants)^{1, 2}

Exclusions:

• Products already regulated under other laws (e.g., Korean Cosmetics Act for cosmetics, Industrial Standardization Act for soap)¹.
• Medical devices or pharmaceuticals¹.

2. Safety Verification Requirements

A. Mandatory Safety Verification

• Pre-market verification: Manufacturers/importers must confirm compliance with safety standards (Article 5 of the Safety Verification Notice) before selling products in South Korea¹.
• Testing institutions: Verification must be conducted by designated testing institutions (e.g., National Institute of Environmental Research) under Article 9 of the Safety Verification Notice¹.
• Transition period for existing products:
  • Products manufactured/imported before January 1, 2021, were granted a grace period until January 1, 2021, to comply with new safety standards¹.
  • For microplastics, the ban applies to products manufactured/imported after January 1, 2021¹.

B. Chemical Restrictions

i. Prohibited Substances

Products must not contain the following substances (or must comply with detection limits if technically unavoidable)¹:

*Microplastics: Solid plastic particles ≤5 mm intentionally added for scrubbing/abrasive purposes¹.

ii. Restricted Substances (Concentration Limits)

Substances with usage limits (e.g., in detergents, adhesives, or cosmetics)¹:

iii. Biodegradability Requirements

• Synthetic surfactants in detergents must meet biodegradability standards:
  • ≥60% (KS I ISO 9439) or ≥70% (KS I ISO 7827)¹.

3. Labeling Requirements

A. Mandatory Labeling Items

All products must display the following on packaging or containers (Article 6 of the Safety Verification Notice)^{1, 2}:

1. Product name and type (e.g., "detergent," "shampoo").
2. Manufacturer/importer details (name, address, contact).
3. Safety verification mark (안전기준확인마크)¹.
4. Safety verification number (e.g., "신고번호: 0000")¹.
5. Chemical composition:
   • Major ingredients (e.g., "paraffin wax," "sodium lauryl sulfate").
   • Preservatives (if used, e.g., "ethanol").
   • Allergens (if ≥0.01%, e.g., "amyl cinnamal")¹.
6. Usage instructions (e.g., "rinse thoroughly after use").
7. Warning statements (e.g., "keep out of reach of children," "do not ingest")¹.
8. Expiry date or manufacturing date¹.
9. Child-resistant packaging status (if applicable)¹.

B. Specific Labeling Rules

• Fluorescent brighteners: Must be listed if used in detergents, bleaches, or cleaners².
• Spray-type products: Must include warnings like:
  • "Do not spray near flames" (for flammable gases)¹.
  • "Do not inhale" (for products containing BKC/NaDCC)¹.
• Disinfectants: Must specify efficacy claims (e.g., "kills 99.9% of bacteria") only if supported by test reports².
• Pictograms: Optional but recommended for warnings (e.g., "keep away from children")¹.

C. Language and Format

• Language: Korean (English may be added but is not a substitute)¹.
• Font size:
  • ≥8 pt for labels ≥200 cm².
  • ≥6 pt for labels <200 cm²¹.
• Visibility: Labels must be durable, legible, and prominently displayed¹.

4. Compliance Process and Deadlines

A. Registration/Verification Steps

1. Submit product information to a designated testing institution (e.g., National Institute of Environmental Research)¹.
2. Provide documentation:
   • Product composition (CAS numbers, percentages, functions)¹.
   • Safety data sheets (SDS) for all ingredients¹.
   • Test reports (e.g., biodegradability, toxicity)¹.
3. Obtain safety verification number (신고번호) or approval number (승인번호)¹.
4. Label products per requirements before market release¹.

B. Key Deadlines

5. Enforcement and Penalties

• Non-compliance: Products failing safety verification or labeling requirements are prohibited from sale¹.
• Penalties:
  • Fines up to 100 million KRW or imprisonment for up to 3 years for violations (under the Consumer Chemical Products and Biocides Safety Act)¹.
  • Recall orders for unsafe products¹.
• Monitoring: The Ministry of Environment conducts post-market surveillance and random testing¹.

Summary Answer

South Korea mandates pre-market safety verification and strict labeling for cosmetics and consumer chemical products (e.g., face cream, shampoo, toothpaste) under the Safety Verification Notice¹ and Safety Confirmation Notice². Key requirements include:

1. Safety verification by designated testing institutions for all products¹.
2. Prohibited/restricted substances (e.g., microplastics banned post-2021, BKC/NaDCC banned in sprays post-2023)¹.
3. Mandatory labeling of ingredients, warnings, and usage instructions in Korean^{1, 2}.
4. Biodegradability standards for detergents (≥60–70%)¹.
5. Child-resistant packaging for hazardous products (e.g., adhesives, detergents)¹.

Deadlines: Most requirements took effect January 1, 2021, with phased bans (e.g., BKC/NaDCC in 2023)¹. Non-compliance risks fines, imprisonment, or product recalls¹. Manufacturers/importers must ensure compliance before market entry.

Sources

1. ↩ “Designation of Consumer Chemical Products subject to Safety Verification, and Safety and Labeling Standards Thereof” https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2024/TBT/KOR/24_02243_01_x.pdf
2. ↩ Designation of Consumer Chemical Products subject to Safety Confirmation, and Safety and Labeling Standards https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/TBT/KOR/21_2232_01_x.pdf