The number of cosmetics recalls and disposals tripled from the previous year. As authorities are focusing on strengthening cosmetics quality control, a large number are expected to be recalled and disposed of this year as well.
According to the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety on the 18th, last year's number of cosmetics recalls and disposals was 16, up 3.2 times from five the year before. The most common reason was partial spoilage of cosmetics, with eight cases. Use of ingredients (colorants) that cannot be used in cosmetics and tampering with expiration dates were also detected. Exceeding the microbial limit standard, which was the most common with four cases the previous year, fell to one case.
By company, Gwangjin Industry (eight cases) and D&B Korea (three) were cited multiple times. Fille Korea, LeS, Skindom, LakiaCos, and Precomma also had recall and disposal cases confirmed.
The sharp increase in cosmetics recalls and disposals last year was the result of the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety strengthening collection and testing of cosmetics. The agency's number of cosmetics sampling tests had been in the hundreds per year, but rose to around 2,000 last year. The measure is intended to strengthen quality competitiveness so the upward trend in cosmetics exports can continue.
In 2026, Korea's cosmetics exports totaled $11.4 billion (about 16.6 trillion won), up 12.3% from the previous year and marking an all-time high. As authorities are tightening inspections to maintain strong cosmetics exports and ensure safe use, recalls and disposals are expected to increase this year as well. In the first month and a half of this year, there were six recalls and disposals, surpassing one in the same period last year.
Shin Jun-su, director general of the Biopharmaceuticals and Herbal Medicine Bureau at the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety, said, "Considering the strengthening of global quality competitiveness and the safe use of cosmetics by the public, we will continue to ramp up cosmetics collection and testing," and added, "We will prepare to gradually implement from 2028 the cosmetics safety assessment system, under which companies must prepare and retain safety assessment reports."