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22-1 · Cosmetics manufacturing & sales

Cosmetics Responsible Seller Registration

To distribute and sell under your own name cosmetics manufactured on consignment, or to import and sell foreign cosmetics, you must register as a cosmetics responsible seller with the regional office of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety having jurisdiction over your location under Article 3 of the Cosmetics Act. There are no separate facility standards, but you must have rules on quality control standards and post-sale safety management standards, and appoint a responsible sales manager who meets the qualifications in Article 8 of the Enforcement Rule of the Cosmetics Act, such as a doctor or pharmacist, a holder of a bachelor's degree or higher in science and engineering or a cosmetics-related field, or a person who has passed the customized cosmetics preparation manager exam. In businesses with 10 or fewer regular employees, a qualified representative may perform the duties of the responsible sales manager. Changes in location, representative or responsible sales manager require a change registration, and selling before registration may be subject to criminal penalties.

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#Cosmetics Responsible Seller Registration#Official check#22-1
🌐 How to Register a Cosmetics Responsible Seller Business
01

Procedure

Procedure

Procedure type
  • Registration Difficulty Medium

    The authority checks whether the statutory registration requirements, such as facilities, staff and capital, are met before issuing a registration certificate. Registration can be refused if the requirements are not met.

  1. 01

    Check whether registration is required: Registration is required when selling OEM or ODM products manufactured on consignment under your own brand, importing and selling foreign cosmetics, or acting as an import agent through e-commerce.

  2. 02

    Check the responsible sales manager's qualifications: Appoint a person from among doctors and pharmacists, holders of a bachelor's degree or higher in science and engineering, cosmetology, cosmetic science, Korean medicine, nursing and similar fields, holders of an associate degree in a cosmetics-related field with at least 1 year of manufacturing or quality control experience, those who have passed the customized cosmetics preparation manager exam, and those with at least 2 years of manufacturing or quality control experience.

  3. 03

    Prepare quality and safety management rules: Following the quality control standards in Appended Table 1 and the post-sale safety management standards in Appended Table 2 of the Enforcement Rule, write rules covering management of the contract manufacturer, testing and inspection, and collection of adverse reaction information, tailored to your business model.

  4. 04

    Apply for registration: Submit the application with the quality and safety management rules and documents confirming the responsible sales manager's qualifications to the regional office of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and once the requirements are met, a cosmetics responsible seller registration certificate is issued.

  5. 05

    Responsible sales manager training: The responsible sales manager must complete initial training within 6 months of starting the duties and refresher training once a year thereafter. If the person passed the qualification exam within 1 year before starting the duties, the initial training is deemed completed.

  6. 06

    Check labeling and advertising before sale: Product classification is judged by considering all ingredients, intended purpose and method of use, so confirm that containers and advertising contain no expressions that could be mistaken for medicines or quasi-drugs, such as sterilizing or therapeutic effects.

02

Filing route

Filing route

Regional office of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety having jurisdiction over the business location

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check
Actual processing agencyCompetent Korean authority or official service
Statutory and policy authorityMinistry of Food and Drug Safety
Online routeCompetent Korean authority or official service
03

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check
04

Basic documents

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 7

The responsible sales manager's initial training must be completed within 6 months of starting the duties, not from the registration date, so schedule the training at the time of appointment.

Scope of services

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.