Cosmetic Responsible Sales Business (CRSB) registration
Any entity importing or selling cosmetics in Korea must register as a Cosmetic Responsible Sales Business with MFDS and obtain a license.
Compliance checkingAsia-Pacific
South Korea cosmetic regulations
MFDS · Cosmetics Act + Functional Cosmetics Regulation
South Korea regulates cosmetics under the Cosmetics Act (enacted 2000). Standard cosmetics may be marketed after the responsible party is registered. Functional cosmetics — whitening, anti-wrinkle, sun protection, hair color, anti-hair loss, and a growing list of approved claims — require additional pre-market review and ingredient verification by MFDS.
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Key facts
- Statute
- Cosmetics Act of Korea
- Local representative required
- Yes — Cosmetic Responsible Sales Business
- Functional cosmetics
- Pre-market review by MFDS
- Labeling language
- Korean (Hangul)
What South Korea requires
The core obligations every brand selling cosmetics in South Korea must meet.
Functional cosmetic review
Products making whitening, anti-wrinkle, sun protection, hair color, or anti-hair loss claims must undergo pre-market functional cosmetic review. Efficacy data is required.
Korean labeling
All mandatory labeling must be in Korean. Imported cosmetics must add a Korean-language label before retail sale.
Adverse event reporting
Sales businesses must record and, when applicable, report adverse events to MFDS; record-keeping obligations apply.
How Cosmetica helps
Cosmetica coverage for South Korea
Functional cosmetic ingredient verification, prohibited and restricted substance checks under the Cosmetics Act, structured data ready for an in-Korea responsible party to submit.
Primary sources
Always verify current requirements against the regulator's official publications. Cosmetica's analysis cites these primary sources directly in every compliance finding.