1. Authorities

Cosmetics
South Korea

This section provides an overview of the Authorities involved in setting regulations and managing compliance with the Cosmetics product in scope.

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) [1] is the main Authority for cosmetics in South Korea. This is based on the Cosmetics Act [2,3] and the guidelines that were edited by MFDS (see booklet explaining regulatory framework in 2020 available in English from the link below) [4].

The Guideline provides information on the below topics :

1. Definitions: cosmetics, cosmetic responsible person (importer or distributor), and their role
2. MFDS scope of work
3. Import Procedures
4. Safety Standards
5. Risk Assessment
6. Labeling and Advertisement guide

Korea Cosmetic Association (KCA)

Korea Cosmetic Association stands between MFDS and cosmetic businesses and does various regulatory activities [5].

Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association (KPTA)

Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association (KPTA) is focused on the export and import of cosmetics - mainly on customs clearance. It evaluates the safety and effectiveness of cosmetics as well as issues the approval of entry notice for imported products [6].

1.1 References

1. MFDS

https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/index.do

2. The Article 2 of the Cosmetics Act (English, 2018 December 11)

https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=50282&lang=ENG

3. The Article 2 of the Cosmetics Act (Korean, 2022 February 18)

https://www.law.go.kr/%EB%B2%95%EB%A0%B9/%ED%99%94%EC%9E%A5%ED%92%88%EB%B2%95

4. Cosmetic Regulatory Framework

https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_28/view.do?seq=71481&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1

5. Korea Cosmetic Association

https://kcia.or.kr/home/main/

6. Korea Pharmaceutical Traders Association

https://www.kpta.or.kr/eng