South Korea to revise the standard for the Regulations on Safety Standards for Cosmetics

On 7th November 2023, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released a notification regarding the partial revision of the Regulations on Safety Standards for Cosmetics, etc. In accordance with Article 46 of the Administrative Procedure Act, the MFDS issued a notice entitled "Regulations on Cosmetic Safety Standards" in advance to inform the public about the revision's grounds and key contents. 

Objective of revision 

The chemical identification number (Cas No.) and chemical name of raw materials that cannot be used in cosmetics and raw materials that require restrictions on use have been added to improve the convenience of raw material identification. and one sunscreen ingredient has been added in accordance with "Regulations on Designation and Change of Standards for Use of Cosmetic Ingredients (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Notice) 

New points added to the standard 

• The addition of chemical names and chemical identification numbers (CAS No.) for raw materials whose use is restricted or cannot be used in cosmetics (Appendix 1, Appendix 2) 

• In accordance with the Regulations on Designation and Change of Standards for Use of Cosmetic Ingredients (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Notice) one type of UV ray-blocking component has been added to the list of raw materials with limits on use (Appendix 2). As a result, the UV protection component 'Methoxypropylaminocyclohexynylideneethoxyethylcyanoacetate' was introduced. 

Opinion submission 

Organizations, institutions, or individuals that have comments on this Partial Revision Notice (draft) are asked to submit a written comment to the Director General of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Reference: Cosmetics Policy Division) by 27th November 2023. 

The written comments must contain: 

1. Opinion in favor or against the notice 

2. The name, address, and contact details of the institutions, organizations, or individuals. 

3. Other notes 

Comments can be submitted to mfdscos@korea.kr.