Seoul to mark Korean cosmetics to prevent knock-offs

Seoul authorities have decided to implement a new system to distinguish original Korean cosmetic products from knockoffs that are common in China.

The Korea Customs Service on Tuesday said it plans to mark Korean cosmetics with a special QR code label to verify authenticity and ultimately help protect both brands and consumers. KCS plans to implement the new verification system starting from June.

In tandem with the growing popularity of Korean cosmetics, more illegal copycat products have been appearing on Chinese online vendors, according to the KCS.

These vendors reportedly sell fakes of Korean cosmetics that highly resemble the original. The labels have been tweaked to deceive customers. For instance, they might have “Sulansoo” printed on them instead of “Sulwhasoo,” a high-end skin care brand under AmorePacific.

Fake items account for about 40 percent of all cosmetic products sold online in China, according to China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Korea’s overseas online cosmetics sales have grown on-year by 261.9 percent to stand at 161 million won last year, of which China-bound sales accounted for about 45.8 percent, according to the KCS.

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)