Korea passes landmark law to supercharge $11.4 bil. cosmetics industry
Driven by unprecedented global demand for skincare and cosmetics, the National Assembly passed landmark legislation this week designed to systematically cultivate Korea’s beauty sector into a primary engine of national economic growth. The Act on the Fostering and Support of the Cosmetics Industry establishes the nation’s first legal framework created specifically to nurture the commercial…
Korea's National Assembly recently passed a groundbreaking law aimed at propelling the country's cosmetics industry to new heights, capitalizing on the unprecedented global demand for skincare and beauty products. The Act on the Fostering and Support of the Cosmetics Industry establishes the nation's inaugural legal structure explicitly designed to foster the commercial growth of the sector, distinct from the existing Cosmetics Act, which has primarily emphasized safety standards, manufacturing compliance, and regulatory quality control.
This legislative achievement comes in the wake of a record-breaking surge in international sales, with Korean cosmetics exports reaching a historic high of $11.4 billion in 2025. This milestone places the country alongside France as one of the world's top two beauty exporters. The cosmetics industry has also emerged as the leading export category for domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing significantly to employment and manufacturing output throughout the nation.
Despite this substantial progress, the law represents a crucial step forward in strategically harnessing the potential of Korea's beauty sector to become a cornerstone of the country's economic growth.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
