On August 6, 2026, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued the draft Guidelines on Braille Labeling, etc. for Cosmetics. The draft systematically sets out the methods, specifications, and locations for labeling product information on cosmetic containers or packaging using braille and voice/sign language video conversion codes (accessibility QR codes), with the aim of safeguarding the right to know of visually and hearing impaired consumers for the safe use of cosmetics. The draft is currently open for industry feedback, with comments due by August 31, 2026.
Background
Article 10(3) of South Korea’s Cosmetics Act provides that, when the mandatory particulars of a cosmetic are displayed on its container or packaging, braille or voice/sign language video conversion codes, etc. may be additionally provided for visually and hearing impaired persons. However, existing regulations do not prescribe uniform methods for labeling braille and such conversion codes, leaving the industry without a clear basis in practice.
Main Contents of the Guidelines
The draft is divided into three parts — “General Matters,” “Braille Labeling,” and “Labeling of Voice/Sign Language Video Conversion Codes” — with the key points as follows:
1. Scope of Application
All cosmetics may be labeled with braille or voice/sign language video conversion codes. The Guidelines may be used by cosmetic responsible sellers, cosmetic manufacturers, container and packaging manufacturers, braille printing enterprises, and voice/sign language video conversion code production enterprises, among others.
2. Braille Labeling
- Items to be labeled: primarily the product name; where the container or packaging area is limited, only a portion of the product name sufficient to identify the product may be displayed. In addition to the product name, the phrase “functional cosmetic,” usage instructions, and other minimum information needed by visually impaired persons may optionally be displayed.
- Specifications: dot height 0.4–0.9 mm, dot diameter 1.5–1.6 mm, inter-dot distance 2.3–2.5 mm; horizontal inter-cell distance varies by material (paper/sticker 5.5–6.9 mm, PVC 5.5–7.3 mm, aluminum and other metals 5.5–7.6 mm); vertical inter-line distance 10.0 mm or more. Where the material prevents compliance, dot height may be relaxed to 0.2 mm or above.
- Labeling method: embossed (perforated) braille is preferred; depending on the characteristics of the container material, stickers, braille tags, or embossed (transparent) braille verified as harmless to the human body may also be used.
- Labeling location: in principle on the upper part of the principal display panel, or the upper right where the left and right of that area are distinguishable; avoid cut lines, seams, and other positions prone to damage (at least 4 mm from the edge), and avoid overlapping with ordinary printed text.
3. Labeling of Voice/Sign Language Video Conversion Codes (QR Codes)
- Specifications: square, with length and width not exceeding 18 mm (15 mm recommended); QR code resolution no less than 300 DPI; a white border of at least 1 mm applied around the outer edge of the code; the border may bear the phrase “Voice/Sign Language Information Provided.”
- Labeling method: use indelible ink, engraving, stamps, or the like; to help visually impaired persons locate the code, its border should be marked in relief or with tactile protrusions (four-sided surround recommended, or at least two consecutive sides).
- Information provided: the code may provide the product name, the trader’s trade name and address, all ingredients, volume or weight, batch number, use-by date, functional cosmetic identification, usage precautions, efficacy and effects, directions for use and dosage, and other information necessary for the use of the cosmetic. Sign language video should, in principle, use Korean Sign Language in accordance with relevant laws and regulations; proper nouns without a corresponding sign vocabulary may be expressed using finger spelling.
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