South Korea: New labelling rules for Cleansing and Hygiene Products 

South Korea has published new labelling rules for cleansing and hygiene products.  

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(MFDS) intends to amend the “Labelling Standards for Cleansing and Hygiene Products” as follows: 

1. Establishment of labelling methods forthe dispensingand refilling or cleansing and hygiene products. 
2. Establishment of definitions and labelling methods for combination products.

In accordance with the Notice: 

For products subdivided from bulk finished goods or products that consumers can refill, the original labeling information shall not be altered; however, the business name, address, and net weight must be displayed in accordance with the subdivision and refilling details. Additionally, labeling standards are established requiring that large-capacity containers sold by refill businesses display the required information or be listed on a separate display board. 

With the launch of new types of sanitary products possessing multiple functions, a definition for composite products is newly established, and labeling methods for composite products are prepared. 

Moreover, following the addition of oral care products to the category of sanitary products (June 14, 2025), new definitions have been established for new types of sanitary products, such as those manufactured by combining toothbrushes and dental floss, which have been released since then, thereby improving and supplementing certain deficiencies observed in the operation of the system. 

The Notice will enter into force on December 31, 2026. It will apply to sanitary products manufactured, processed, subdivided, or imported (based on the shipment date; hereinafter the same applies) from the effective date of the Notice. 

Notwithstanding the enforcement of the Notice, packaging materials currently in use for sanitary products already manufactured, processed, subdivided, or imported in accordance with the previous regulations at that time may be used until December 30, 2028. 

To find out more about product compliance in South Korea, please do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute directly.