The Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) has established a new clean cosmetics certification group standard and awarded its very first certifications to 14 products from 8 different cosmetics manufacturing companies.
The official certification award ceremony took place on October 23 at the ‘2026 Osong Cosmetics Beauty Industry Expo’. During the event, Jung Seung-ho, Vice President of KTR, presented the credentials alongside representatives from the recognized companies.
The newly certified companies include Kirin Cosmetics, Reschemy, Mediark, Body & C&D Lab, Everbio, Ondang, J&G Cosmetics, and Pieno. The 14 approved products span across essential categories such as body cleansers, shampoos, lotions, creams, foam cleansers, toners, and shampoo bars.
This initial round of approvals applied KTR’s proprietary clean cosmetics group standard, designated as ‘SPS-M KTR 0002-7670:2025’. Under this standard, KTR evaluates and certifies products that minimize substances harmful to the human body and the environment while utilizing eco-friendly cosmetic packaging.
Understanding South Korea’s Group Standards and K-Beauty Initiatives
Group standards (SPS) operate as private, voluntary certification systems established by specialized organizations under the Industrial Standardization Act. These standards are specifically designed to enhance product quality, streamline industry processes, and protect consumers.
Alongside the award ceremony, KTR hosted promotional booths at the expo to introduce its advanced testing and evaluation services—focusing on cosmetic ingredient efficacy, product quality, and skin penetration rates—while offering direct consultations to participating businesses.
Additionally, KTR hosted a seminar titled ‘Packaging Shift 2026—How EU PPWR is Transforming K-Clean Beauty.’ The session highlighted practical response strategies for the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), offering critical guidance to export-oriented companies navigating shifting international regulations.
Empowering South Korean Cosmetics for Global Markets
As global environmental regulations continue to tighten, institutions like KTR are stepping up to provide localized businesses with the technical framework and compliance support needed to compete internationally.
Lee Seung-ryol, President of KTR, emphasized the institution’s ongoing commitment: "We will continue to establish rigorous quality standards for clean cosmetics and expand our support to help domestic cosmetics companies successfully respond to shifting global environmental regulations."
