The Korea Cosmetics Association, led by Chairman Seo Kyung-bae, has expressed its support for the adoption of the GCORAS Declaration during the first Global Cosmetics Regulatory Authorities Heads Meeting (GCORAS 2026), held in Seoul from September 7 to 9. The association views this meeting as a significant foundation for enhancing global regulatory collaboration in cosmetics and aiding domestic firms in their overseas market endeavors.
GCORAS is a forum comprising regulatory agencies from various countries, designed to share regulatory frameworks and key policies while discussing collaborative tasks aimed at ensuring cosmetic safety and fostering industry innovation. The inaugural meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, saw participation from 15 agencies across 12 countries, along with international cosmetics associations.
The adopted GCORAS Declaration includes commitments to expand the sharing of regulatory information and practical cooperation based on mutual trust between regulatory bodies. The declaration also states intentions to jointly address global regulatory issues. Participating agencies are considering regular meetings, practical discussions, and the establishment of sector-specific working groups to continually develop GCORAS as a platform for enduring regulatory collaboration.
On the first day of the event, a global regulatory forum featuring domestic cosmetics companies was held. Topics included the role of regulatory agencies in K-beauty’s growth, changes to EU cosmetic regulations, regulatory frameworks in Australia and New Zealand, and the use of artificial intelligence in assessing cosmetic safety. Regulatory and technical trends closely related to overseas business for local companies were also shared.
Following the forum, a corporate meeting took place, featuring representatives from regulatory bodies in Brazil, the UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well as from various European and Australian cosmetics associations. The consultations were conducted at country-specific tables, allowing direct engagement between domestic companies and representatives. Companies were able to receive answers directly from officials and the association regarding their pre-submitted inquiries.
Chairman Seo Kyung-bae noted that Korea's appointment as the inaugural chair of GCORAS and the establishment of its secretariat domestically are significant milestones. He emphasized that this lays the groundwork for Korea to actively participate in global cosmetics regulatory collaboration. He expressed hopes that GCORAS will evolve into a venue for practical regulatory cooperation that transcends mere information exchange.
Chairman Seo further stated, "For K-beauty to continue flourishing in global markets, it is crucial to not only understand and swiftly respond to individual national regulations but also to offer outstanding products and technologies. The Association will ensure that the on-ground challenges faced by domestic companies are effectively communicated to overseas regulatory authorities, facilitating tangible improvements and alleviations in regulatory burdens through continued dialogue with government and international partners."
