On April 21, 2026, South Korea's National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) released a draft revision of the Guidelines for Analytical Methods for Cosmetic Usage Limit Ingredients (Citizen Guide) through the Korea Cosmetic Association (KCIA) for public comment. The public comment period closed on April 24, 2026. The revision adds 18 new analytical methods and improves existing methods for triclosan and zinc pyrithione.
Background
The guidelines are prepared by NIFDS's Cosmetics Research Division to provide analytical method references for cosmetic manufacturers, responsible sellers, and testing institutions. Since its initial establishment in 2008, the guidelines have undergone multiple revisions. The last revision was in July 2023, which improved analytical methods for 43 ingredients and added calculation formulas. The current revision is scheduled for publication in May 2026, pursuant to Articles 8 and 15 of the Cosmetics Act.
Key Revisions
1. New Preservative Analytical Methods (13 ingredients)
| No. | English Name for the Ingredient | CAS No. | Usage Limit |
| 1 | Benzethonium chloride | 121-54-0 | 0.1% (prohibited in mucosal products) |
| 2 | 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol | 1777-82-8 | 0.15% |
| 3 | Chlorophene | 120-32-1 | 0.05% |
| 4 | p-Chloro-m-cresol | 59-50-7 | 0.04% (prohibited in mucosal products) |
| 5 | Bronopol | 52-51-7 | 0.1% (prohibited in amine-containing products) |
| 6 | Formic acid | 64-18-6 | 0.5% |
| 7 | Glutaraldehyde | 111-30-8 | 0.1% (prohibited in aerosol products) |
| 8 | Bromochlorophene | 15435-29-7 | 0.1% |
| 9 | Undecylenic acid | 112-38-9 | 0.2% (rinse-off products, as acid) |
| 10 | Phenoxyisopropanol | 770-35-4 | 1.0% (rinse-off products) |
| 11 | 3,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol | 1805-32-9 | 0.15% |
| 12 | Isopropylmethylphenol | 3228-02-2 | 0.1% |
| 13 | Tetrabromo-o-cresol | 576-55-6 | 0.3% |
2. New "Other Ingredients" Analytical Methods (5 ingredients)
| No. | English Name for the Ingredient | CAS No. | Usage Limit |
| 1 | 2,4-Diamino-pyrimidine-3-oxide | 74638-76-9 | 1.5% (hair products only) |
| 2 | Chloramine T | 127-65-1 | 0.2% |
| 3 | Salicylic acid | 69-72-7 | 2%–3% (specific products) |
| 4 | Methyl 2-octynoate | 111-12-6 | 0.01% |
| 5 | Methyl octine carbonate | 111-80-8 | 0.002% |
3. Improved Existing Methods (2 ingredients)
| No. | English Name for the Ingredient | CAS No. | Category | Changes |
| 1 | Triclosan | 3380-34-5 | Preservative | Method optimized |
| 2 | Zinc pyrithione | 13463-41-7 | Other | Method optimized |
Guideline Overview
The revised guideline comprises 184 pages. Each ingredient's analytical method includes molecular formula, molecular weight, structural formula, CAS number, usage limit, test procedures (sample preparation, standard solution preparation, instrument conditions), chromatograms and spectra, calculation formulas, and references. Primary analytical techniques include HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS.
Timeline
April 21, 2026 – KCIA publishes draft revision for public comment
April 24, 2026 – Public comment deadline
May 2026 – Scheduled formal publication
Implications and Recommendations
The revision expands the coverage of analytical testing methods for cosmetic usage limit ingredients in South Korea, with newly added ingredients covering a variety of commonly used preservatives and other functional ingredients. Cosmetic companies are advised to monitor regulatory changes promptly, review the analytical method requirements for the 18 newly added ingredients, and note the changes to triclosan and zinc pyrithione testing methods, which may affect compliance test results for existing products.
About CIRS
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