The Skin-Based Technology Development Business Unit, led by Hong Jae-seong, has announced the selection of three new projects as part of the 2026 innovative growth initiative aimed at advancing skin health technologies.

This initiative, supported by South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, under the leadership of Jeong Eun-kyung, focuses on improving national skin health and nurturing the growth of the cosmetics industry as a key future growth driver from 2023 to 2027.

This year’s call for proposals narrowly focused on a critical domain: the development of regulatory assessment technologies to aid in compliance with export country regulations.

Out of the 11 proposals submitted, the initiative recorded a competitive ratio of 3.7 to 1, reflecting substantial interest from industry stakeholders.

The evaluation process adhered to the National Research and Development Innovation Act and involved a thorough assessment by a panel of experts in dermatology and cosmetics, utilizing both written and presentation evaluations.

The selected projects were scrutinized for alignment with the program's objectives, redundancy, scientific feasibility, and financial execution plans.

The Business Unit expressed optimism about these projects, emphasizing their focus on technologies that will aid in meeting regulatory requirements of export markets, particularly as they relate to testing and evaluation.

The strategic importance of these initiatives cannot be overstated.

By facilitating compliance with export regulations in essential markets such as China, the selected projects are poised to bolster the global competitiveness of Korean beauty brands.

The 21-month support period is engineered for rapid outcomes, crucial for firms navigating the challenging terrains of international compliance and registration.

Furthermore, as this initiative approaches its conclusion, there is a firm commitment to actively address export hurdles and fortify the foundation for Korean firms venturing into global markets.

These efforts will be vital not only for the immediate business landscape but also for the long-term sustainability of South Korea's position in the global beauty industry.