On August 8, 2019, the Republic of Korea notified the WTO of a text to amend the Regulation on Safety Standards for Cosmetics. It provides for regulatory changes for many ingredients, with some alignment with the Annexes to European Regulation 1223/2009, but also some discrepancies, notably in terms of authorised concentrations of several preservatives.
The text notified to the WTO consists of 55 pages (in Korean). The notification summarizes the main changes to come.
Tagetes flower extracts or oils
1. Tagetes erecta flower extract or oil: prohibition of the use in cosmetic products
2. Tagetes minuta flower extract or oil: restriction of the use
• The content should be no greater than 0.01% in leave-on products
• The content should be no greater than 0.1% in rinse-off products
• The content of Alpha-terthienyl in the ingredient should be no greater than 0.35%
• The ingredient should not be used in sunscreen products and products marketed for exposure to natural/artificial UV light
3. Tagetes patula flower extract or oil: restriction of the use
• The content should be no greater than 0.01% in leave-on products
• The content should be no greater than 0.1% in rinse-off products
• The content of Alpha-terthienyl in the ingredient should be no greater than 0.35%
• The ingredient should not be used in sunscreen products and products marketed for exposure to natural/artificial UV light
These three provisions are almost identical to the rules established by Regulation 2018/978, applicable in its entirety since August 1, 2019. …
