MFDS Elected Chair of Global Cosmetics Regulatory Forum GCORAS, to Host Permanent Secretariat

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has been elected chair of the Global Cosmetics Regulatory Authorities Summit (GCORAS), the world’s first forum of heads of cosmetics regulatory agencies. The establishment of a permanent secretariat in Korea has also been confirmed.

MFDS said on Sept. 16 that the first Global Cosmetics Regulatory Authorities Summit, held in Seoul from Sept. 7 to 9, had concluded successfully.

The forum, newly established under Korea’s leadership, was attended by 16 organizations from 13 countries, including Asian countries such as Vietnam and India, as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Brazil and Mexico.

On the first day, Sept. 7, activities included a regulatory forum attended by the EU, Australia and New Zealand; bilateral meetings between Korea and the UAE, Brazil and Vietnam; regulatory consultations between overseas regulators and Korean companies; and a business roundtable.

MFDS agreed with Brazil to form a public-private joint market-entry support team, discussed simplifying cosmetic product notification documents with Vietnam, and discussed operating a regulatory working group with the UAE.

At the plenary session on the second day, Sept. 8, participating countries reached final agreement on the “2026 Seoul Initiative.” Korea was unanimously elected chair, and the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Korea was decided.

On the final day, Sept. 9, bilateral meetings continued, expanding the scope of cooperation to medical products. Korea discussed advanced biopharmaceutical cooperation with the UAE and proposed that Vietnam begin considering its designation as a reference country and expand the scope of recognition for English-language certificates.

MFDS Commissioner Oh Yu-kyoung said, “GCORAS is a timely opportunity to overcome the limitations of companies responding individually amid rapidly changing global distribution environments and increasingly stringent regulatory barriers, and to lead communication and cooperation among regulatory agencies in third countries.”

She added, “As chair and host of the permanent secretariat, Korea will do its utmost to lead global cosmetics regulatory harmonization and lower barriers to overseas expansion for K-beauty, enabling it to rise to No. 1 in the world.”