Last Year ‘Quality Issues’ Cosmetic Recall and Disposal Increased 3.2 Times
On February 18, 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that the number of cosmetic recalls and disposals due to quality issues reached 16 cases last year, 3.2 times more than the previous year. As the domestic cosmetics market is rapidly growing, this indicates the increasing importance of product quality control.
Over the past year, there were a total of 16 cases of cosmetic recall and disposal, a noticeable increase from 5 cases a year earlier. This change can be interpreted as a significant effort by authorities to protect consumer safety and a critical step towards qualitative growth in the market.
Meaning of Increased Cosmetic Recall and Disposal Cases
Looking closely at the reasons for cosmetic recalls, ‘partial product deterioration’ accounted for 8 cases, highlighting the frequency of quality degradation during product storage and distribution, and the critical importance of managing it.
Additionally, major quality standard violations such as 3 cases of surpassing p-aminophenol limits, and 2 cases of non-compliance with functional cosmetics content were identified. Moreover, serious violations that directly impact consumer health, such as using prohibited ingredients (colorants) or tampering with usage deadlines, were detected, raising significant concerns.
Specific Reasons for Recall and Related Companies
A look at the companies given recall and disposal orders shows Gwangjin Industry leading with 8 cases, followed by D&B Korea with 3. Similar quality issues were found at several small and medium-sized enterprises such as Pile Korea, Le S, Skindom, LakiaCos, and Free Comma.
These individual cases convey an important message that a more robust quality management system is needed across the entire cosmetics industry. Consumers are now beginning to value the transparency and safety of the manufacturing process beyond just product efficacy.
Background and Future of Strengthened Quality Control
The main reason for the surge in cosmetic recall and disposal cases last year is the MFDS’s enhanced efforts in sampling and testing. The number of inspections, which used to be at hundreds per year, dramatically expanded to about 2,000 last year, bringing to light quality issues that had previously gone unnoticed.
This result shows the authority’s strong commitment to prioritizing consumer safety and securing trustworthiness in the cosmetics market. Such strengthened inspection policies are essential for maintaining and growing the competitiveness of the domestic cosmetics industry in the global market.
Shin Junsu, Director of the MFDS’s Biopharmaceutical Bureau, emphasized a plan to further intensify sample testing to enhance global quality competitiveness and ensure that the public can use cosmetics safely.
We plan to strengthen sampling inspections to enhance global quality competitiveness and ensure the safe use of cosmetics by the public.
This strong quality management commitment by authorities establishes a crucial foundation for the continuous growth of the domestic cosmetics industry. When strict quality management is executed, consumer trust is built, which directly translates into market competitiveness for our industry.
Coexistence of Global Market Competitiveness and Consumer Safety
Last year, the nation’s cosmetics exports hit a record high of $11.4 billion, approximately 16.6 trillion won, up 12.3% from the previous year. This figure once again proves the elevated stature of K-Beauty globally.
Success in the export market can only be realized when supported by the high quality and safety of domestic products. Therefore, the authority’s reinforcement of quality inspections has led to an increase in recall cases in the short term, but in the long term, it will be a decisive opportunity for our cosmetics to gain deeper trust in the global market and elevate the reputation of K-Beauty.
Thorough quality management goes beyond just complying with regulations; it is a key factor in enhancing brand value and maximizing consumer satisfaction. It is also a firm commitment of the industry to provide safe and reliable products to consumers both domestically and internationally.
Since cosmetics are products that come into direct contact with our skin, overall quality management, from ingredient safety to manufacturing and distribution, is extremely important. This increase in recall and disposal cases can be seen as a meaningful process in which our cosmetics industry matures one step further.
Transparent information disclosure and continuous quality improvement efforts will positively impact both consumers and the industry, ultimately contributing significantly to creating a healthier and more vibrant cosmetics market.
Safe and reliable cosmetics quality management is a crucial element for the continuous growth of K-Beauty. Yuricos helps ensure that the excellent products and genuine efforts of companies can be effectively conveyed to consumers, thereby contributing to the creation of a healthier and more transparent beauty market.
