The proposal is open for public consultation until 18 August 2026. While most provisions are expected to apply from 1 January 2028, some measures will be introduced earlier through a phased implementation schedule.
From legislative reform to practical implementation
The draft regulation translates into operational requirements two legislative amendments adopted over the past year.
The first, enacted at the end of 2025, established the legal basis for a mandatory cosmetic safety assessment system and authorised the development of an Integrated Cosmetic Information System. The new Enforcement Rule now specifies which products may be exempt, who can perform safety assessments and how supporting documentation must be managed.
A second amendment, adopted in April 2026, focused on customized cosmetics. Its objective was to encourage more sustainable consumption by facilitating refill services while reducing the staffing burden on small businesses. The new proposal therefore defines the practical conditions under which these refill activities may take place and updates the associated training requirements.
Safety assessments: exemptions, qualifications and record-keeping
One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is the clarification of the future cosmetic safety assessment framework.
Under the draft rules, certain small businesses would be exempt from the obligation to prepare a safety assessment. The exemption would apply to responsible cosmetic sellers whose annual revenue in the previous year does not exceed KRW 1 billion and whose activities are limited to manufacturing and marketing cosmetic soap.
The proposal also establishes the minimum qualifications required for professionals responsible for carrying out cosmetic safety assessments. Eligible assessors would generally need relevant higher education in disciplines such as medicine, pharmacy, biology, chemistry, toxicology or cosmetic and fragrance science, although equivalent professional experience or recognised qualifications in cosmetic safety management may also satisfy the requirements.
To ensure regulatory traceability, safety assessment documentation would need to be prepared according to the product categories defined in the regulation. These records would remain available for one year after the product’s shelf life expires or, alternatively, for three years after manufacture or import.
Refill services expanded for selected cosmetic products
The draft regulation also provides greater flexibility for customized cosmetic refill services.
Employees temporarily replacing a Customized Cosmetic Refilling Manager would be permitted to refill and sell a limited range of products. The authorised categories include shampoo, conditioner, body cleansers and liquid soap, reflecting the government’s intention to promote reusable packaging without extending the measure to higher-risk cosmetic categories.
This change supports South Korea’s broader sustainability objectives while simplifying operational requirements for smaller retailers.
Updated training obligations for industry personnel
The proposal also revises training requirements for key personnel involved in cosmetic distribution.
Responsible selling managers and Customized Cosmetic Refilling Managers would be required to complete refresher training annually, beginning in the year following their initial qualification. However, an exemption is introduced for responsible selling managers working exclusively in businesses that broker or arrange import transactions without directly handling cosmetic products.
The changes aim to simplify the current training framework while maintaining professional competency across the sector.
Shorter deadlines for product recalls
The proposed rules would also strengthen recall procedures by reducing the time available for companies to respond once a recall becomes necessary.
If a cosmetic product lacks the required safety assessment documentation or product-specific safety data and presents, or may present, a risk to public health, it would be classified as subject to recall.
In such cases, responsible companies would have only three days—rather than the current five—to submit their recall plan after becoming aware that the product meets the recall criteria.
Import inspections and digital regulatory oversight
Two additional measures address regulatory oversight and administrative efficiency.
First, companies requesting on-site inspections of overseas cosmetic manufacturers may be required to cover the costs associated with those inspections and the subsequent regulatory assessment.
Second, the proposal establishes operational rules for the new Integrated Cosmetic Information System. When authorities request information to support the development or operation of the platform, the request must clearly indicate the data required, the submission method and the applicable deadline.
Implementation timetable
Although the revised Enforcement Rule is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028, implementation will occur progressively.
The provisions governing the Integrated Cosmetic Information System are scheduled to apply first, from 31 December 2026. The new rules allowing expanded customized cosmetic refill sales would follow on 29 April 2027. Requirements relating to inspection costs for imported cosmetic manufacturers and the shortened recall deadlines would become applicable immediately upon promulgation, while the cosmetic safety assessment framework would begin on 1 January 2028.
The staggered timeline is intended to give both regulators and industry sufficient time to prepare for one of the most comprehensive updates to South Korea’s cosmetics regulatory system in recent years.
