The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), led by Oh Yu-kyung, announced on the 10th that it will actively advance its ‘Halal Cosmetics Certification Support Project’ to facilitate K-Beauty's entry into the halal market, aligning with the global expansion of the halal cosmetics sector.

As opportunities for K-Beauty to penetrate new markets continue to grow, regulatory frameworks in key countries, such as Indonesia's mandatory halal certification label scheduled to take effect in October 2026, present significant challenges. The MFDS recognizes the burdens imposed on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to varying halal certification standards across nations and plans to offer comprehensive support through collaboration with major countries.

In an effort to streamline the certification process, the MFDS will select 30 companies preparing for halal certification to provide tailored on-site consulting. Additionally, the department will conduct training sessions twice annually across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, while hosting seminars featuring international experts to rapidly disseminate updates on certification regime changes and latest trends within primary export markets.

Targeting key Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, the MFDS will create and distribute halal certification manuals. Furthermore, it aims to enhance mutual recognition agreements (MRA) between local certification bodies and domestic private certification organizations across over four significant export markets, including Indonesia. The MFDS plans to hold cooperative meetings with foreign governments and local gatherings to strengthen partnerships, thereby aiding Korean companies in obtaining certifications that meet international standards with greater ease.

To alleviate the burden associated with reviewing halal ingredients, in line with Indonesia’s regulations (KMA No.1360/2021), the MFDS will analyze and provide information on approximately 4,000 halal-compliant raw materials. A comprehensive database will be established that consolidates information on halal raw materials, company details, and regulations from ten key countries.

Based on this framework, the MFDS will offer an AI cosmos bot search service to enable companies to quickly access essential information for certification preparation efficiently. This initiative is anticipated to provide substantial assistance through the entire process, from raw material review to acquiring international certifications.

Companies wishing to participate in the diverse halal cosmetics certification support project can apply through the Cosmetics Global Regulatory Harmonization Support Center, the Korea Pharmaceutical Export Association, the Korea Pharmaceutical Testing and Research Institute, or the Korea Cosmetics Association via QR links available on their websites. The MFDS plans to continue to expand its support, ensuring that domestic cosmetics businesses can effectively adapt to changing global regulatory environments and smoothly enter the burgeoning halal market.