South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Proposes Partial Amendment to “Cosmetics Safety Standards” Regulations

On January 12, 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea issued Announcement No. 2026-012, a public notice proposing a partial amendment to the “Cosmetics Safety Standards Regulations” under the Korean Cosmetics Act. The draft amendment aims to revise specific provisions to enhance clarity and improve safety oversight of cosmetic products in the Korean market. Although the detailed content of the amendment’s technical revisions was published in Korean on the MFDS website, the notice signals ongoing regulatory refinement of Korea’s cosmetic safety framework, which has recently included updates to restricted ingredient lists, usage standards and safety criteria to better protect consumers. The announcement opens the draft amendment for public comment and consultation before finalisation, consistent with Korea’s regulatory process for cosmetic safety standards updates. Stakeholders in the cosmetics industry, including manufacturers and importers, are encouraged to monitor and participate in the consultation process ahead of any final enforcement measures.