September 7 Designated as 'Cosmetics Day'... May 29 as 'Medical Devices Day'

'Medical Device Day' and 'Cosmetics Day' Newly Designated
Braille and Sign Language Video Codes to Be Added to Cosmetics Labels
Unpaid Fines Collection to Be Strengthened for Medical Device Businesses
Exemplary Restaurant Certification to Be Integrated into Hygiene Grading System
Support for Daily Life Recovery Added for Former Narcotics Addicts
Electronic Issuance of Test and Inspection Certificates for Food and Pharmaceuticals

May 29 is designated as 'Medical Device Day,' and September 7 as 'Cosmetics Day.'

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that amendments to six laws, including the 'Food Sanitation Act,' passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 13th.

First, according to the amendment to the 'Cosmetics Act,' the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety designated September 7 each year as 'Cosmetics Day' to support strengthening the international competitiveness of the cosmetics industry and to raise public interest and understanding of cosmetics safety and quality. It also encourages the display of braille or codes for audio and sign language video conversion so that visually and hearing-impaired persons can check information on cosmetics labeling. Additionally, it establishes grounds to promptly block imports if risks are identified through inspections of cosmetics purchased directly from overseas.

Along with this, under the amendments to the 'Medical Device Act' and the 'In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Act,' the Ministry designated May 29 each year as 'Medical Device Day' to widely promote the international status of domestic medical devices and share the importance of medical devices as a future growth engine with the industry and the public. It also establishes grounds to request property-related information such as building registers, land registers, and vehicle registration records from related agencies to seize assets when medical device or in vitro diagnostic medical device business operators default on fines. This is expected to increase the collection rate of unpaid fines.

With the amendment to the Food Sanitation Act, the exemplary business designation system under the restaurant certification system for food service establishments will be abolished after 30 years and integrated into the hygiene grading system.

Also, with the amendment to the 'Narcotics Control Act,' support for daily life recovery will be added to existing social rehabilitation projects to help former narcotics addicts maintain normal daily life after social reintegration. To continuously protect and manage narcotics addicts with a high risk of reoffending, a 'Narcotics Addict Management System' linking information among related agencies will be established and operated.

The amendment to the 'Act on Testing and Inspection in the Food and Drug Fields,' allowing test and inspection certificates for food and pharmaceuticals issued on paper to also be issued electronically, also passed the National Assembly on the same day.

A Ministry of Food and Drug Safety official stated, "We plan to continuously revise related laws reflecting changes in the social environment with the utmost priority on public safety."