Improvement of Mask Item Approval Process: "Allowing Two or More Product Names for One Item"

MFDS "Identifying Industry Difficulties Due to Increased Inventory... Focused Crackdown on Illegal Masks"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] From now on, more than two product names will be allowed for one mask item.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Commissioner Kim Gang-rip) announced on the 3rd that it held a meeting with mask manufacturers on the 27th of last month together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to prepare such measures.

At the recent meeting, it was discussed that while domestic mask supply has greatly expanded due to facility investments by existing companies and the increase of new companies amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is facing difficulties due to increased inventory, and support measures were discussed.

First, in the limited domestic market, excessive market entry by manufacturers and distributors has intensified price competition, and market confusion has occurred due to some false contract information and distribution of illegally imported masks, so damage prevention measures were prepared.

The government will analyze and investigate the distribution channels of illegally imported masks and promote intensive crackdowns in cooperation with related ministries and investigative agencies.

Various support measures will be established to secure domestic and overseas sales channels and corporate competitiveness. The government supports sales channels through public home shopping and supports conversion to competitive other businesses through long-term and low-interest policy funds, business conversion policy funds, consulting, and expanded research and development (R&D).

In addition, to pioneer overseas sales channels, support will be provided for operating online special exhibition halls, entering global online malls, providing overseas market information and certification information, and buyer matching.

Furthermore, to enable the rapid launch of products reflecting consumer demands, the item approval requirements will be reasonably improved. The government will allow more than two product (brand) names for one item and will promote approval procedure improvements such as allowing changes in approval without performance tests when adding engraving processes (a manufacturing step that marks letters or logos on masks by ultrasonic welding or other methods) that do not affect performance.

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The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "We will provide maximum support for the coexistence of the mask industry producing essential daily necessities for the public amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation," and added, "We will strictly punish fraud and unfair trade in the mask market with a zero-tolerance policy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.