K‑Beauty Pushes for Global Regulatory Harmonization

South Korea has risen to become the world’s second‑largest exporter of cosmetics, positioning K‑beauty for its next challenge: global regulatory harmonization. Rapid integration of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and healthcare technologies into cosmetics is creating divergent regulatory requirements across markets, which could act as new export barriers. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced plans to revamp domestic regulations, emphasizing the introduction of a cosmetics safety assessment system, measures against counterfeit products, and support for halal certification. The agency also intends to broaden regulatory cooperation with other countries. On the 7th of the month, the first Global Cosmetics Regulatory Agencies Council (GCORAS) meeting titled “Global Regulatory Changes and Response Strategies” was held at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul, bringing together regulators to discuss these emerging issues.