Wuxi Kolmar Receives First CGMP Recognition from South Korea's MFDS

Wuxi Kolmar, the production base of Kolmar Korea in China, has received recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for its superior cosmetics manufacturing and quality control system. This marks the first such recognition for a cosmetics factory operated by a domestic manufacturer overseas.

According to Kolmar Korea, Wuxi Kolmar recently underwent a site inspection by the MFDS and was found to have a manufacturing and quality control system equivalent to the domestic standards outlined under the Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP). The evaluation assessed the entire production process from material reception to manufacturing, quality control, and finished product shipment, confirming that Wuxi Kolmar excelled in all aspects of its operational system and quality management.

CGMP is a set of standards operated by the MFDS in accordance with the international ISO standards for cosmetics. As of July, there are 193 certified CGMP facilities in South Korea, accounting for approximately 4.4% of the 4,166 domestic cosmetics manufacturers.

Wuxi Kolmar operates as a local production entity that applies Kolmar Korea's operational system, encompassing research and development, production, and quality control. Approximately 20 expatriates from Korea collaborate with local teams to implement Kolmar's manufacturing technologies and quality standards, with research and quality control personnel comprising around 30% of the total workforce. When completed in 2018, it was noted as one of the largest cosmetics ODM factories in China, with an annual production capacity of 550 million units. The factory is expanding its business primarily in major Chinese regions such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Hangzhou, and Chengdu.

As the first ODM (Original Development Manufacturing) company in South Korea, Kolmar Korea was designated as the first domestic CGMP-certified facility at its base in Sejong and its color cosmetics factory in Bucheon in 2011. This has significantly elevated the domestic cosmetics manufacturing and quality control system to global standards, laying the foundation for the growth of K-beauty. Notably, the recent equivalent CGMP recognition for Wuxi Kolmar further extends the manufacturing and quality management capabilities accumulated over 36 years to overseas production bases, enhancing global quality credibility.

A representative from Kolmar Korea stated, “This recognition of Wuxi Kolmar as a CGMP equivalent is a result of the consistent accumulation of our manufacturing and quality management know-how since we were designated as the first CGMP company by MFDS, and its extension to global production bases. We will continue to enhance our management system to ensure that our clients receive products of the same quality from any production location.”