Korean FDA Supports Enhancement of Domestic Cosmetic Quality Control
The Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) announced on the 23rd that it will provide translated international guidelines and manuals to support the export of domestic cosmetics. This initiative aims to enhance the quality control capabilities of Korean cosmetics. The KFDA is offering three key documents: a guideline for simultaneous analysis of perfluorinated compounds, an English manual for cosmetic analysis methods, and a translated version of the EU Consumer Safety Science Committee (SCCS) safety assessment guidelines.Perfluorinated compounds are known for their heat resistance and ability to repel water and oil. However, they can cause cancer and liver damage when absorbed by the body, leading to their regulation in South Korea, the US, and Europe. The KFDA's new guideline covers the simultaneous analysis of 12 types of perfluorinated compounds, including perfluorooctanoic acid, across different product types (powders, creams, etc.), utilizing standard substances to enhance accuracy.
The English manual includes information and testing methods for 20 banned cosmetic ingredients, such as seven types of phthalates, benzene, and 12 types of perfluorinated compounds. This manual aims to strengthen the quality control of domestic cosmetics and boost international export competitiveness. The SCCS safety assessment guidelines cover the analysis of physicochemical properties, exposure evaluation, toxicity testing, safety margin calculation, and other considerations. The translation is expected to enhance the international credibility of Korean cosmetics.
A KFDA representative stated, "We expect the newly published materials to be of great help to the domestic cosmetics industry. We will continue to develop and provide accurate testing methods to ensure that people can use cosmetics with confidence." The documents can be accessed on the KFDA's website under the Civil Affairs Guide and Publications section.
Korea Beauty Festival Kicks Off: Ushering in 20 Million Tourists with K-Beauty
On June 1st, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Yoo In-chon attended the opening ceremony of the '2024 Korea Beauty Festival' in Seoul's Gwanghwamun and Hongdae areas, welcoming foreign tourists and encouraging the K-beauty and tourism industries.The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, along with the Korea Tourism Organization and the Visit Korea Committee, is hosting the '2024 Korea Beauty Festival' throughout June in Seoul to attract foreign tourists interested in K-beauty. Over 380 companies from the beauty, airline, accommodation, and tourism sectors are participating.
The festival is held across various specialized hubs in Seoul, including Hongdae (hair and makeup), Seongsu (fashion), Myeong-dong (shopping rewards), and Gwanghwamun (medical and wellness). Visitors can experience a range of K-beauty activities, such as product exhibitions, personal color consultations, makeup shows, ear therapy, and K-pop dance classes.
Minister Yoo visited the Hongdae hub first to explore K-beauty product exhibitions and personal color experience zones, and watched the 'Idol Look-alike Makeup Show'. He then moved to the Gwanghwamun hub to experience ear therapy, foot diagnosis, and K-pop dance lessons.
The festival's opening ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square featured various performances, including a hair and makeup demonstration show and a collaborative performance of singing bowls and traditional Korean music.
Minister Yoo stated, "To mark the '2024 Visit Korea Year,' we have organized the 'Korea Beauty Festival' to attract more foreign tourists and offer them an enjoyable visit based on the high interest and popularity of K-beauty. We aim to make this festival a key content that showcases the unique charm of Korean tourism and paves the way for 20 million foreign visitors."
Rural Development Administration Develops World's First Rose Scent Cell Culture Technology
The Rural Development Administration (RDA) announced on the 3rd that it has successfully developed a plant cell culture (callus) with the same fragrance components as actual rose petals for the first time in the world. This technology is expected to expand the range of raw materials for domestic cosmetics and increase their added value.Known as the 'stem cells of plants,' plant cell cultures are tissues that form at wound sites on plants and are rich in bioactive substances. Utilizing these cell cultures for cosmetic ingredients can minimize environmental impact during cultivation while enabling the mass production of high-quality ingredients.
Currently, the Korean cosmetics market relies on imports for over 80% of its raw materials, making the localization of raw materials urgent. Additionally, the demand for plant cell cultures is rising, necessitating technological development. In response, the RDA has initiated research to develop cosmetic materials using rose varieties with clear provenance and excellent fragrance.
The researchers established cell culture induction conditions by sterilizing rose petals with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, adding growth regulators, and placing the petal surfaces in a nutrient medium. This led to the successful induction of cell cultures from the '15R12-2' rose variety, which retained up to 59% of the same fragrance components (2-Ethyl-1-hexanol) as the actual flower, along with the stable expression of related genes.
Despite ongoing research worldwide, this is the first success in preserving the fragrance of actual rose petals in cell cultures. The study has been academically recognized and published in the 2023 international journal 'Plants'.
The RDA's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science has proliferated 12 types of cell cultures, which have been donated to the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology for use as biological resources. The agency has also filed patents for two types of rose petal cell cultures with proven skin protection efficacy in collaboration with BioFDNC Co., Ltd.
A BioFDNC representative said, "We plan to mass-produce cell cultures from Korean rose varieties and create semi-finished or finished cosmetic products from the extracted raw materials."
Dr. Lee Young-ran, head of the Flower Division at the RDA's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, emphasized, "We will expand our research on cell culture induction and industrial materialization to other flowers such as chrysanthemums, broadening the scope of our horticultural industry."
The competition is divided into general and corporate (KOLMAR Korea, Sidiz) categories. The grand prize winner in the general category will receive a Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award, a cash prize of 3 million KRW, and a trophy. Grand prize and gold award winners will also have the opportunity to participate in the ADA International Student Design Workshop.
KOLMAR Korea is accepting submissions until July 12 for 'Next Generation Lifestyle Reflecting Cosmetic Makeup Packaging Designs.' The evaluation will focus on designs that solve everyday inconveniences while showcasing creative functionality. Eligibility is limited to university students, graduate students, students on leave, or 2024 graduates, who can apply individually or in teams of two.
The gold award winners in the corporate category will receive a cash prize of 2 million KRW, a trophy, a certificate, a catalog, and souvenirs. Silver and bronze award winners will also receive a trophy, a certificate, a catalog, and souvenirs.
Kim Hyung-sang, executive director of the design group at KOLMAR Korea, said, "We are delighted to co-host this prestigious national competition supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. We hope many students will participate in this contest, where students studying design and KOLMAR Korea come together to create innovative products."
Currently, the Korean cosmetics market relies on imports for over 80% of its raw materials, making the localization of raw materials urgent. Additionally, the demand for plant cell cultures is rising, necessitating technological development. In response, the RDA has initiated research to develop cosmetic materials using rose varieties with clear provenance and excellent fragrance.
The researchers established cell culture induction conditions by sterilizing rose petals with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, adding growth regulators, and placing the petal surfaces in a nutrient medium. This led to the successful induction of cell cultures from the '15R12-2' rose variety, which retained up to 59% of the same fragrance components (2-Ethyl-1-hexanol) as the actual flower, along with the stable expression of related genes.
Despite ongoing research worldwide, this is the first success in preserving the fragrance of actual rose petals in cell cultures. The study has been academically recognized and published in the 2023 international journal 'Plants'.
The RDA's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science has proliferated 12 types of cell cultures, which have been donated to the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology for use as biological resources. The agency has also filed patents for two types of rose petal cell cultures with proven skin protection efficacy in collaboration with BioFDNC Co., Ltd.
A BioFDNC representative said, "We plan to mass-produce cell cultures from Korean rose varieties and create semi-finished or finished cosmetic products from the extracted raw materials."
Dr. Lee Young-ran, head of the Flower Division at the RDA's National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, emphasized, "We will expand our research on cell culture induction and industrial materialization to other flowers such as chrysanthemums, broadening the scope of our horticultural industry."
Creative Cosmetic Packaging Design Competition
KOLMAR Korea is launching the '2024 Pin-Up Concept Design Award' to discover creative cosmetic packaging designers. This competition is hosted by the Korea Association of Industrial Designers (KAID) and supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, with KOLMAR Korea and Sidiz co-hosting the university student design contest.The competition is divided into general and corporate (KOLMAR Korea, Sidiz) categories. The grand prize winner in the general category will receive a Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award, a cash prize of 3 million KRW, and a trophy. Grand prize and gold award winners will also have the opportunity to participate in the ADA International Student Design Workshop.
KOLMAR Korea is accepting submissions until July 12 for 'Next Generation Lifestyle Reflecting Cosmetic Makeup Packaging Designs.' The evaluation will focus on designs that solve everyday inconveniences while showcasing creative functionality. Eligibility is limited to university students, graduate students, students on leave, or 2024 graduates, who can apply individually or in teams of two.
The gold award winners in the corporate category will receive a cash prize of 2 million KRW, a trophy, a certificate, a catalog, and souvenirs. Silver and bronze award winners will also receive a trophy, a certificate, a catalog, and souvenirs.
Kim Hyung-sang, executive director of the design group at KOLMAR Korea, said, "We are delighted to co-host this prestigious national competition supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. We hope many students will participate in this contest, where students studying design and KOLMAR Korea come together to create innovative products."
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