Selling in South Korea?

Advertising: no absolute expressions such as 'best' and clear basis for comparison

Banned

• Claim: absolute superlative

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Advertising: no claim of products containing processed internationally endangered species

Banned

• Claim: endangered species

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Must meet the conditions of Child-resistant packaging that adults can open but children under 5 cannot (화장품법 제9조, 시행규칙 제18조제2항)

• Single-use product: no
• Not applied as a spray
• Sold in a pressurised aerosol can: no

Depends on: single use, sprayable, aerosol dispenser

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Non-emulsion liquid products (e.g. children's oils) with 10 % or more hydrocarbons and kinematic viscosity of 21 cSt or less at 40 C

Must meet the conditions of Child-resistant packaging that adults can open but children under 5 cannot (화장품법 제9조, 시행규칙 제18조제2항)

• Single-use product: no
• Not applied as a spray
• Sold in a pressurised aerosol can: no

Depends on: single use, sprayable, aerosol dispenser

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Must meet the conditions of Child-resistant packaging that adults can open but children under 5 cannot (화장품법 제9조, 시행규칙 제18조제2항)

• Single-use product: no
• Not applied as a spray
• Sold in a pressurised aerosol can: no

Depends on: single use, sprayable, aerosol dispenser

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Reporting of new safety or efficacy information and adverse effects

Notification to MFDS

New safety/efficacy data or information directly affecting public health, including adverse-reaction cases, with safety measures

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer

Depends on: economic operator role

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Ingredient list report: before distribution and on change

Notification to MFDS

Ingredient list used in manufacture, before distribution and whenever the list changes

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer

Depends on: economic operator role

In force since 14 Mar 2019

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 14 Mar 2019

제13조제2항 was added by the amendment tagged 신설 2019.3.14; 부칙 제1529호 제1조 states the amendment applies from 2019-03-14. Products already distributed or sold before that date follow the former rule (부칙 제3조).

Annual production or import results report

Notification to MFDS through the 화장품업 단체

Prior-year production or import results, by end of February each year

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer

Depends on: economic operator role

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Batch-by-batch quality test before distribution

Test required

Quality inspection of each manufacturing batch before the cosmetic is distributed

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer

Depends on: economic operator role

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Preservative content on cosmetics marketed for infants/children

Label required

Content of preservatives that have a use criterion set under Art. 8(2)

• Intended for children under 12

Depends on: intended for children under 12

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Preservative content on cosmetics marketed for infants/children

Label required

Content of preservatives that have a use criterion set under Art. 8(2)

• Intended for children under 3

Depends on: intended for children under 3

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Product safety data for cosmetics labelled or advertised for children (4 to 13)

Declaration required

제품별 안전성 자료 (product and manufacturing description, safety assessment data, proof of effect) prepared in advance for cosmetics labelled or advertised for children (4 to 13); kept until 1 year after the expiry date of the last lot (expiry-dated products) or 3 years after the last manufacture or import (opening-period labelling)

• Intended for children under 12

Depends on: intended for children under 12

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Product safety data for cosmetics labelled or advertised for infants (3 or under)

Declaration required

제품별 안전성 자료 (product and manufacturing description, safety assessment data, proof of effect) prepared in advance for cosmetics labelled or advertised for infants (3 or under); kept until 1 year after the expiry date of the last lot (expiry-dated products) or 3 years after the last manufacture or import (opening-period labelling)

• Intended for children under 3

Depends on: intended for children under 3

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Annual list of ingredients of customised cosmetics (deadline)

Notification to MFDS through the 화장품업 단체

Prior-year ingredient list of customised cosmetics, by end of February each year

• Mixed or filled for the individual customer

Depends on: customised cosmetic

In force since 18 Feb 2022

Applies to products sold on or after 18 Feb 2022

Customised cosmetics seller safety management duties

Must meet the conditions of 시행규칙 제12조의2: facility checks, mixing/dispensing safety standards, sales records (lot, expiry, date, quantity), explanations to consumer, adverse-event reports

• Mixed or filled for the individual customer

Depends on: customised cosmetic

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Functional cosmetic reviewed efficacy and directions

Label required

Reviewed or reported efficacy and effect, directions and dosage (용법ㆍ용량)

• Makes a functional or quasi-drug claim (for example whitening or anti-wrinkle)

Depends on: quasi drug or functional claim

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Statement 'not a medicine for disease prevention or treatment' for functional cosmetics (hair loss, acne, skin barrier, stretch marks)

Label required

"질병의 예방 및 치료를 위한 의약품이 아님"

• Makes a functional or quasi-drug claim (for example whitening or anti-wrinkle)

Depends on: quasi drug or functional claim

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Import management record of imported cosmetics

Declaration required

수입관리기록서: product name, ingredient specification and content, manufacturing country and company address, functional-cosmetic review notice copy, manufacture and sale certificate, Korean-language product description sample, import date and quantity per batch, batch quality inspection date and result, sales records

• Your role: Importer

Depends on: economic operator role

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Mandatory label element: Barcode set by the MFDS commissioner

Label required

Barcode set by the MFDS commissioner

• Mixed or filled for the individual customer: no

Depends on: customised cosmetic

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

10 rules from 화장품법 시행규칙 (Enforcement Rule of the Cosmetics Act)

Label required

Every product in the category

2 Apr 2026

Each rule has its own date; open a target.

Example: Mandatory label element: Content of human cell or tissue culture fluid where contained

Mandatory label element: Imported cosmetic: country of manufacture, manufacturer name and address

Label required

Imported cosmetic: country of manufacture, manufacturer name and address

• Imported into the market of sale
• Your role: Importer

Depends on: imported, economic operator role

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Quality control standard of 별표 1 and post-market safety standard of 별표 2

Must meet the conditions of 화장품법 시행규칙 별표 1 (품질관리기준) and 별표 2 (책임판매 후 안전관리기준)

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer

Depends on: economic operator role

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Stability test data for products with retinol, vitamin C, tocopherol, peroxides, enzymes

Declaration required

Retain stability-test data for 1 year after the expiry date of the last batch for products containing 0.5 % or more of retinol, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, peroxide compounds or enzymes

• Your role: Manufacturer or Importer

Depends on: economic operator role

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Precaution statement (별표 3)

Warning required when the substance is present

직사광선을 피해서 보관할 것

Every product in the category

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Precaution statement (별표 3)

Warning required when the substance is present

어린이의 손이 닿지 않는 곳에 보관할 것

Every product in the category

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-04-02 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.