Do Packaging EPR Laws Apply to Your K-Beauty Brand? A Regulatory Check
Packaging EPR laws bill the producer of the packaging. See who that is for a Korea-made brand, how small-producer exemptions work and what SB 343 changes.
Fragrance-Free vs Unscented, Paraben-Free: FDA Rules for Label Claims
FDA has no definition for fragrance-free, unscented or paraben-free. What these free-from label claims mean in the US and the factory papers that back them.
AB 496 and Washington's Formaldehyde-Releaser Ban: 2027 Compliance
California's AB 496 and Washington's formaldehyde-releaser rule ban more cosmetic ingredients from January 1, 2027. What to check in a Korea-made formula.
Non-Comedogenic Testing for Korean Skincare: MFDS and US Claim Rules
How to back a non-comedogenic claim on Korea-made skincare: which test to book, what MFDS asks for, how US claim law reads it, and the acne drug line.
Why FDA Detains Korea-Made Cosmetics: Import Alerts for Founders
FDA holds Korea-made cosmetics over color additives, microbes and drug claims. How import alerts work, and a pre-PO checklist to keep shipments moving.
There Is No FDA Cosmetics Certificate: How to Prove MoCRA Compliance
FDA issues no certificate for cosmetic registration or listing. What to send a retailer instead, and how to read paid FDA certificate offers.
7 US Label and MoCRA Checks Before You Approve a Final Formula
Close seven US checks before you sign off a Korean ODM formula: ingredient list, colors, state bans, Prop 65, origin marking, MoCRA data and drug status.
PFAS Banned in Cosmetics: State Laws, MoCRA and K-Beauty Formulas
Seven US states ban intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics. See where PFAS hide in K-beauty formulas and what to ask your Korean factory before a PO.
Kids and Tween Skincare From Korea: Safe-Formula Rules Compared
Korea regulates cosmetics for kids up to age 13 with a safety file. The EU and US use different rules. Compare all three before you brief a factory.
Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo From Korea: EU Ban, FDA Drug Rules
Korea sells zinc pyrithione shampoo as a cosmetic. The EU bans it, and the FDA treats dandruff and hair-loss claims as drug claims. Plan before your PO.
Salicylic Acid Acne Products From Korea: FDA OTC Rules, Step by Step
A Korean acne cleanser can be a cosmetic in Seoul and an OTC drug in the US. Seven steps from salicylic acid limits to Drug Facts, before your first PO.
Who Owns Your K-Beauty Formula? IP Rules Before an ODM Deal
Your Korean ODM may keep the formula you paid to develop. Trademark filing order, formula clauses and trade secret steps to settle before your first PO.
HRIPT vs Clinical vs Consumer Testing: Substantiating K-Beauty Claims
Which test backs “dermatologist tested,” “hypoallergenic,” or “clinically proven”? HRIPT, clinical, and consumer studies compared for K-beauty founders.
Does Your Korean Skincare Need a California Prop 65 Warning?
California Prop 65 for indie K-beauty founders: which listed chemicals hit Korean skincare, when a warning is required, and the ODM disclosures to demand before you sell.
Is Your K-Beauty Formula Legal in Korea? An Indie Founder's 2026 MFDS Ingredient Guide
Korea regulates cosmetic ingredients through four MFDS lists. A formula legal in the US is not automatic. Here is the 2026 indie founder reference.