Seoul City Conducts Intensive Safety Inspection on Harmful Substances in Hair Powder and Depilatory Wax Cosmetics from September to November

Implementation of Collection and Inspection Following the End of the Transition Period for Products Converted from Industrial Goods to Cosmetics
Continuous Safety Management of Harmful Substances in Frequently Used Cosmetics Applied Directly to the Human Body

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 28th that it will conduct intensive safety inspections for three months from September to November on cosmetic soaps, hair fibers, and depilatory waxes that have been reclassified from industrial products or non-regulated items to cosmetics.

The Seoul Metropolitan Health and Medical Policy Division will collect newly reclassified cosmetics such as hair fibers distributed in cosmetic stores, large marts, and online within Seoul, while the Health and Environment Research Institute will test for heavy metals, phthalates, and soluble alkali according to cosmetic safety management standards.

As the guidance period for item reclassification ended at the end of last year, manufacturers, importers, and sellers of hair fibers, depilatory waxes, and cosmetic soaps must comply with manufacturing, import, distribution, and sales standards stipulated by cosmetic-related laws. Products found to be non-compliant with cosmetic safety standards based on the institute’s test results will be subject to administrative measures and distribution will be blocked.

Meanwhile, as part of monitoring, the Seoul Health and Environment Research Institute purchased 15 cosmetic soap samples, 6 hair fiber samples, and 11 depilatory wax samples last year and tested for five types of heavy metals and soluble alkali, all of which met the standards.

Shin Yong-seung, director of the Seoul Health and Environment Research Institute, said, “Given the nature of cosmetics such as hair fibers and depilatory waxes that are applied directly to the skin, we will continue to conduct tests for harmful substances to ensure citizens can use them with confidence and will do our best to manage safety.”

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to continue inspecting manufacturing and quality safety standards for frequently used products and those intended for infants and toddlers, as well as cosmetic labeling, descriptions, and false or exaggerated advertising, to secure the safety of cosmetics distributed in the market.