IMINE Enhances Export Competitiveness with ODM Model Amid Global Regulation Changes

The K-beauty industry, celebrated for its unique ingredients and innovative formulations, is rapidly expanding into North America, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. However, as the number of markets grows, so does the challenge of meeting varying cosmetic regulations tailored to each country.

IMINE, a company specializing in cosmetic ODM (Original Design Manufacturer), is adapting to these market shifts by establishing a regulatory response framework that spans from the initial product development stage to actual exports. This strategy enhances their 'export-oriented ODM' competitiveness by integrating regulatory requirements from target countries and providing step-by-step support on ingredients, formulation reviews, test designs, ingredient labeling, and export documentation.

Global cosmetic regulations vary significantly by country. Major markets such as Europe, the U.S., and China have different standards regarding banned or restricted ingredients, testing criteria, and warning labels, making it challenging to export the same product uniformly across multiple regions. Thus, it is increasingly essential for cosmetic ODM companies to proactively check the regulations of target markets and integrate these requirements into product development to mitigate export-related regulatory risks.

IMINE manages regulatory risks from the product development phase, identifying potentially problematic ingredients like PFAS and D5·D6, and verifying the scientific validity of the effectiveness of ingredients such as probiotics, postbiotics, and collagen. Changes in advertising or ingredient guidelines are swiftly reflected in the development process, thereby reducing potential burdens during the export phase.

Custom development based on target countries' regulatory requirements is also feasible, as restrictions on ingredients, concentrations, testing items, and labeling may differ. For instance, in the European Union (EU), they revise compliance based on the latest amendments, such as Regulation 2026/909, considering lists of prohibited (Annex II) and restricted ingredients (Annex III), and ensuring claims made regarding product effectiveness have scientific backing as per Regulation 655/2013. In the U.S., adherence to manufacturing facility registration and product listing under MoCRA, compliance with pigment regulations under CFR, and checking raw material sourcing risks under UFLPA are also evaluated. Similarly, in China, the relevance of special use cosmetics and pertinent issues regarding key ingredients are reviewed during the NMPA registration process. In Indonesia, the review includes BPOM regulatory requirements and halal certification.

IMINE also considers the standards required by global distribution channels, such as Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Walmart, and MECCA, which operate under their own Clean Beauty and Non-Toxic policies assessing ingredient transparency, manufacturing, and ethical standards. They regularly review channel-specific guidelines and changes, integrating the latest trends into product development to ensure client stability in these platforms.

Moreover, IMINE expands its support to cover the testing and labeling requirements necessary for actual exports. They assess test criteria that differ by country, such as SPF and PA, and ensure compliance with International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) labeling guidelines and country-specific warning labels. When raw materials derived from endangered species are involved, they manage the necessary documentation in accordance with CITES.

To meet global customer demands, IMINE has established a robust foundation for certification and quality management. They respond to various requirements based on certifying bodies such as EVE VEGAN, HALAL, RSPO, SMETA, and ISO, ensuring that they can meet the diverse needs of countries and clients. In terms of quality control, they prepare analytical data related to heavy metals in accordance with PPWR, also supporting declarations of conformity (DoC) and technical documentation (TD). Furthermore, IMINE adopts major market standards for heavy metals and microbiological management, enhancing the speed and expertise of their operations.

To boost the efficiency of export operations, IMINE has initiated AI-driven innovations. They have developed an export regulatory document platform as one of their AI agent items, integrating previously disjointed email processes into a single platform. This allows client representatives to monitor progress and expected completion dates in real time and download completed export documents efficiently. This system enables the management of multiple export projects in one place, improving efficiency in handling repetitive documentation tasks.

Moving forward, IMINE plans to continue enhancing its regulatory response framework from the product development stage, integrating ingredient reviews, testing, labeling, quality management, and export documentation. This approach aims to continually strengthen their competitiveness as an 'export-focused ODM' that supports not just product development and manufacturing but also the practical aspects necessary for entering overseas markets.

According to an IMINE representative, "In the global cosmetic market, the ability to accurately reflect regulatory requirements alongside product competitiveness is crucial. We are committed to strengthening our capabilities to support clients in entering international markets by considering the criteria of target markets from the initial product development stage through to export implementation."