South Korea Amends the Regulations on Precautions for Use of Cosmetics and Labelling of Allergens (MFDS Notice No. 2026-56)
On 5 August 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published Notice No. 2026-56, revising the Regulation on Precautions for Use and Labelling of Allergenic Ingredients in Cosmetics. The amendment aims to improve the practicality of labelling requirements by updating precautionary statements for certain cosmetic products and introducing new warning requirements for specific UV filter ingredients.
Key Amendments
(1) Exception for Mandatory Precautions for Use for Hair Shampoo
Mandatory Precautionary Statements for Hair Shampoo | |
Before Revision | After Revision |
a) Rinse immediately if it gets into eyes. b) Caution required as failure to rinse with water after use may cause hair loss or discoloration. | a) Rinse immediately if it gets into eyes. b) Caution required as failure to rinse with water after use may cause hair loss or discoloration. (excluding, products that cannot be rinsed off immediately after use (e.g., dry shampoo etc.)) |
The amendment allows shampoos that are not intended to be rinsed off immediately after application such as dry shampoos etc. to omit certain mandatory precautionary statements ("Caution required as failure to rinse with water after use may cause hair loss or discoloration") that are otherwise required for rinse-off shampoos. This change reflects the different usage characteristics of these products and reduces unnecessary labeling requirements.
(2) New Precautionary Statement for Cosmetics containing Benzophenone-3
Mandatory Precautionary Statements for Cosmetics containg Benzophenone-3 | |
Before Revision | After Revision |
N/A | Applicable scope: Products containing benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) (excluding products containing 2.4% or less of benzophenone-3) Mandatory precautionary statement required for labelling:
Use only on the area prescribed by the dosage and directions for use; do not use on the whole body. |
A new mandatory precautionary statement (see table above) has been introduced for cosmetic products containing Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) (UV filter). The additional warning is intended to provide consumers with enhanced safety information regarding the use of products containing this UV filter.
(3) Terminology or textual revisions that has minimal regulatory imact
The amnendment also includes revisions to improve the clarity and consistency of the regulation, including updates to terminology and the corresponding annexes governing precautionary labeㅣling requirements.
Regulatory impact
Manufacturers and responsible sellers should review the labeㅣling of affected cosmetic products to determine whether:
shampoos that are not intended to be rinsed off immediately qualify for the new labelling exception; and
products containing Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) must label the newly prescribed precautionary statement.
Implementation Deadlines
The amendment notice enters into force on 5 August 2026.
However, the following amendments will enter into force on 2 September 2026:
textual changes under Annex 1 Item no. 2
labelling requirements for cosmetic products containing Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)
Companies should update their product labels and packaging, where applicable, to ensure compliance with the revised requirements before placing affected products on the Korean market.
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