Gov’t will regulate stem cell cosmetics

By Bae Ji-sook

Staff reporter

The government has decided to set up guidelines for cosmetics containing human stem cell culture medium, putting the brakes on the relevant firms that are making inroads in overseas markets.

Additionally, human stem cells will be banned as ingredients for any kind of products, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday, following the steps of the European Union.

According to a motion approved at the Cabinet Meeting, the health ministry will draw a guideline on the usage of human stem cell culture medium currently used in various cosmetic goods including wrinkle-care and skin revitalizing products. The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) is expected to oversee the guideline put into effect.

This could be alarming news for the cosmetics industry, which has been seeking a breakthrough with what they call “state-of-the-art biotechnology.” Last year, domestic company RNL Bio launched a set of “anti-aging” products using the formula and was recognized by the Korean Standards Association.

However, the KFDA expressed concerns over its safety for the first time. “Since most of the formula is made with the extraction of other people’s fat among other ingredients, we are still uncertain about its safety,” an official at the KFDA said.

An RNL Bio staff worker said Wednesday that the company welcomes certain regulations to censor weak factors.

“There are some companies luring customers with very small amounts of the formula. However, we hope there will be no obstacles to our business, which is a bit ahead of others,” she said.

Meanwhile, the health ministry plans to invest 10 billion won ($9 million) into supporting the research and development of original cosmetics technology.

The authorities will establish a “Skin Bank” saving the biological information of people with different skin types to boost the industry into the world’s top 10 cosmetics market from its current 12th place.