A ‘cosmetics e-label pilot project’ is underway where detailed cosmetics information can be checked through e-labels such as QR codes.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Minister Yoo-kyung Oh) will begin the ‘Cosmetics e-Label Pilot Project’ on March 25 to efficiently and clearly provide cosmetics information that was previously displayed in small letters on limited packaging space.
For products subject to the 'e-label pilot project', a regulatory innovation 2.0 task, key information such as name, manufacturing number, and expiration date (along with all other information) can be found in large letters on the container and packaging, and can be posted on the company's website through e-labels such as QR codes.
The QR code is provided by printing directly on the packaging or attaching it with a sticker and can be checked in the ‘Notices’ section of the Korea Cosmetic Association website (www.kcia.or.kr).
The items that must be displayed on the container/package of products subject to e-labeling are; ① Name of the cosmetic product ② Name of business operator ③ Capacity or weight of contents ④ Manufacturing number ⑤ Expiration date ⑥ Barcode determined by the Minister of Food and Drug Safety, etc. In the case of functional cosmetics, one needs to specify with letters or other marks specifying the functionality.
Previously, ① Name of the cosmetic ② Business name and address ③ All ingredients used to manufacture the cosmetic ④ Volume or weight of contents ⑤ Manufacture number ⑥ Expiration date ⑦ Price ⑧ Functional cosmetics label ⑨ Precautions when using ⑩ All other matters prescribed by Ordinance of the Prime Minister, had to be indicated.
The e-label includes all labeling information (all ingredients, precautions for use, etc.) specified in the Cosmetics Act. Additional information such as storage method and product quality characteristics can be included. Previously, due to the large volume of information in limited space, they were written in very small letters in attachments. Some information can also be labeled as ‘see container’.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is conducting this pilot project targeting domestically sold products. However, hair dyes, decolorization/bleaching products, permanent waves, hair straighteners, vulvar cleaners, and body hair removal products are excluded.
A total of six manufacturers and importers are participating; manufacturers include LG Household & Health Care (March~), Aekyung Industrial Co., Ltd. (April~), Cosmocos Co., Ltd. (June~), Dongbang Cosmetic Co., Ltd. (June~), and importers include LOK U.S. (April~), L'Occitane Korea (April~).
The pilot project will run from March 25 to February 25, 2024, and an interim evaluation will be conducted in the second half of this year. Depending on the results of the interim evaluation analysis, decision will be made whether to extend the pilot project period.
With the start of this 'cosmetics e-label pilot project', Yu-mi Kim, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, visited the Cheongju factory (located in Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do) of 'LG Household & Health Care', the first participant in the pilot project, on March 22 to check the readiness of the pilot test and also discussed regulatory innovations related to cosmetic labeling with industry and consumer groups.
Deputy Director Yu-mi Kim who read (scanned) the QR code on the cosmetics packaging with her mobile phone on site, confirmed that the cosmetics labeling, and information is provided correctly said, “Through this pilot project, consumers can easily check information when selecting a product. The industry will save costs and resources, such as changing and disposing of packaging. She also said, “This pilot project is a very meaningful in that it will help bring low-carbon manufacturing and more eco-friendly industry as a whole, and I hope that it can be expanded in the future.”
For more information on this topic, please visit THE K BEAUTY SCIENCE website.
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