The Korea Cosmetic Industry Institute (KCI), led by Director Cho Shin-haeng, has initiated an expanded recruitment phase for its 2026 Domestic Ingredient Localization Support Program, focusing specifically on the field of 'Quality Testing and Inspection Cost Support.
' This initiative aims to bolster the competitiveness of South Korea's domestic cosmetics raw material industry, which has been heavily reliant on imports.
As part of this program, KCI plans to select approximately 20 additional companies engaged in the manufacturing of cosmetics raw materials or related businesses.
The support provided will target testing items necessary for the assurance of raw material quality that meets both domestic and international standards, conducted through certified testing institutions.
Key testing parameters include assessments of heavy metals, microorganisms and preservative efficacy, physicochemical properties (such as pH, viscosity, and refractive index), component identification (utilizing technologies like GC-MS and LC-MS), pesticide residues, 57 allergy-inducing substances, stability, purity, and impurities.
The costs for these tests will be partially subsidized with additional flexibility for adjustments based on negotiations within the established financial limits.
Moreover, the program offers comprehensive consulting services tailored to the testing items based on the business plans submitted by participating companies.
This integrated approach is designed to help firms establish efficient and systematic quality management strategies while securing reliable data essential for commercialization.
Selected companies will receive funding support covering testing and inspection costs of up to approximately 10 million KRW.
The total project funding structure will reflect the size of the company, with government support ranging from 75% for small businesses, 70% for mid-sized enterprises, and 50% for large corporations.
The remainder of the costs will be borne by the companies themselves.
A KCI spokesperson emphasized, "The support for quality testing and inspection serves as a crucial foundation for the global market entry of domestically produced raw materials.
We anticipate that this initiative will provide practical assistance to domestic ingredient companies in strengthening their quality competitiveness and reducing dependency on imports.
" Interested firms can apply for this initiative through the Cosmetics Industry Information Portal (Allcos, https://www.allcos.biz/).
After registering and logging in, applicants should select 'Apply for Education/Seminar' tab under the 'Education/Seminar' menu, choosing '2026 Localization Support Program for Raw Materials (Quality Testing and Inspection Participation).
' Subsequent steps include reviewing the attached announcement and required documents, drafting the business plan, and submitting the application.
This initiative not only accelerates the localization of raw materials but also promotes regional economies and innovation within the cosmetics sector, crucial for navigating the complexities of today's global supply chains.
