On August 6, 2026, Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued Notice No. 2026-56, partially amending and promulgating the “Precautions for Use and Allergen Labeling Requirements for Cosmetics.” The amendment mainly adds usage precautions for the Benzophenone-3 ingredient and establishes a labeling exemption for certain precautions applicable to rinse-free shampoos.
Background of the Amendment
MFDS stated that the amendment aims to improve and supplement certain deficiencies identified in the operation of the current system. On one hand, for shampoos that need not be rinsed off immediately after use, the blanket requirement to label the precaution “If not rinsed off with water immediately after use, it may cause hair loss or discoloration; please take note.” was unreasonable, so an exception has been added. On the other hand, usage precautions for Benzophenone-3 have been newly established. In addition, cited provisions have been updated in line with revisions to related laws and regulations.
The amendment completed its administrative preview from April 8 to June 8, 2026.
Main Contents of the Amendment
The key points of the amendment are as follows:
1. New exemption clause for shampoo products
For shampoos that do not need to be rinsed off immediately after use, an exception clause has been added allowing certain use precautions to be omitted from labeling.
- Current: “If not rinsed off with water immediately after use, it may cause hair loss or discoloration; please take note.”
- Amended: “If not rinsed off with water immediately after use, it may cause hair loss or discoloration; please take note. (excluding products that do not need to be rinsed off immediately after use, such as dry shampoos).”
- Note: The newly added exception clause means that rinse-free shampoos (e.g., dry cleansing shampoos) may omit this warning from labeling.
2. New precautions for Benzophenone-3
The amendment adds labeling requirements for usage precautions for the Benzophenone-3 ingredient:
- Scope: Products containing Benzophenone-3 (excluding products with a concentration of 2.4% or less).
- Labeling content: “Use only on the relevant area in accordance with the directions for use and dosage; do not apply to the whole body.”
Effective Date and Transitional Measures
- General provisions: Effective from the date of promulgation, August 6, 2026.
- New precaution for Benzophenone-3: Effective from September 2, 2026.
- Scope of application: Applies to cosmetics first manufactured or imported (based on the customs clearance date) after the amendment takes effect.
- Transitional measures: Containers and packaging of products containing Benzophenone-3 that were labeled or marked in accordance with the previous provisions at the time the amendment takes effect may continue to be used until six months from September 2, 2026.
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