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BPOM launched the Initiation of Global Cosmetic Regulatory Network (IGCRN) on October 2, 2026, and its announcement contains no change to how cosmetics are registered in Indonesia. The global cosmetic regulatory network is a forum for regulators, and Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) took part in the launch. Brands that sell in both countries should know what was announced, what was left open, and what to keep doing in the meantime.
1. What happened on October 2 and 3
The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) started the network at a two-day forum on October 2 and 3, 2026, at ICE BSD City in Tangerang. BPOM issued its press release on October 2. The forum was organized by BPOM with the Society of Indonesian Cosmetic Scientists (SICS) and Cosmobeauté Indonesia.
Foreign participants included the Food and Drug Department of Laos’ Ministry of Health, Korea’s MFDS, Cosmetics Europe, Lao Phanthamit Group and a Swiss industry representative. An official from Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) also spoke, so halal rules were part of the discussion. On day two, delegates visited PT Cosmax Indonesia to see production and product development.
2. What the network is meant to do
BPOM describes the network as the first international cooperation body for cosmetic regulators. It notes that food and drug products already have international cooperation frameworks, which makes this the first of its kind for cosmetics, in BPOM’s words. The release lists four aims.
Stated objectives
- Alignment: work toward science-based, adaptive and more aligned global cosmetic regulatory frameworks.
- Communication: improve contact between authorities and share regulatory experience.
- Common ground: find overlap between different national policy approaches, with consumer protection as the goal.
- Trade: support cross-border cosmetic trade and compliance with regulations.
BPOM also pointed to its BRIDGE platform, which connects researchers with industry and supports commercialization. It currently holds 13 cosmetic research submissions.
3. What has not been decided
BPOM calls the signed declaration a starting point for more structured cooperation. Read it as a signal about direction, not as a rule. Until BPOM publishes a regulation, circular or announcement, cosmetic notifications continue under the existing procedures.
4. Why Korean brands are watching
MFDS sent a speaker to the forum, and the factory visit was hosted by Cosmax Indonesia. For Korean brands, that places Korea’s regulator inside what BPOM calls the first international cooperation body for cosmetic regulators.
The release also notes that about 70% of Indonesia’s cosmetic raw materials are still imported. In our view, that makes regulatory alignment a practical matter for foreign suppliers, not an abstract one, although nothing yet says how alignment would work.
Halal stays on a separate track. BPJPH’s page on Government Regulation (PP) 40/2026 lists cosmetics at October 17, 2028 for the halal certification obligation. Nothing in the network announcement touches that date.
5. What to do now
6. Frequently Asked Questions
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Established 2016 | 1,000+ BPOM & Halal Filings
