Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Search

South Korea Expands Tobacco Harmful Components Testing System to Cover Synthetic Nicotine Liquid Vapes

Apr.17
South Korea Expands Tobacco Harmful Components Testing System to Cover Synthetic Nicotine Liquid Vapes
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on April 17 that it has additionally designated the International Characterization Research Institute as a tobacco harmful components testing body under the Act on the Management of Tobacco Harmfulness. The institute has research experience in analyzing harmful components in liquid e-cigarettes and has obtained recognition for tobacco-sector ISO 17025 requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on April 17 that it has additionally designated the International Characterization Research Institute as a tobacco harmful components testing body.
  • The designation was made under the Act on the Management of Tobacco Harmfulness.
  • The institute has research experience in analyzing harmful components in liquid e-cigarettes and has obtained recognition for tobacco-sector ISO 17025 requirements.
  • The total number of tobacco harmful components testing bodies in South Korea has increased from two, namely KCL and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Chungbuk National University, to three.
  • The ministry said the newly designated institute will help enable smooth testing of liquid e-cigarettes, including those containing synthetic nicotine.

2Firsts, April 17, 2026 

 

According to the report, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it has additionally designated the International Characterization Research Institute as a tobacco harmful components testing body under the Act on the Management of Tobacco Harmfulness.


International Characterization Research Institute was additionally designated


The ministry said on April 17 that the International Characterization Research Institute is an institution that has research experience in analyzing harmful components in liquid e-cigarettes and has obtained recognition for tobacco-sector International Organization for Standardization requirements, ISO 17025.


The total number of testing bodies has increased to three


With this new designation, the number of tobacco harmful components testing bodies in South Korea has increased from the previous two, KCL and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Chungbuk National University, to a total of three.
The new body will support liquid e-cigarette testing


The ministry said the newly designated International Characterization Research Institute, as a testing body for harmful components in liquid e-cigarettes, will help ensure smooth testing of liquid e-cigarettes, including those containing synthetic nicotine, which are newly incorporated under the revised Tobacco Business Act that took effect after last year’s amendment.


MFDS said it will continue expanding testing bodies


The ministry said it is providing consulting on designation requirements to institutions seeking designation in order to continue expanding the number of testing bodies.


Interested institutions may apply through the Food Safety Korea system


The ministry also said that institutions wishing to obtain designation may apply for testing body designation through the Food Safety Korea integrated civil petition consultation channel once they meet the designation requirements, including recognition of tobacco-sector ISO requirements.

 

Image source: Supple

 

References:
[1] 식약처, 액상형 전자담배 유해성분 검사기관 추가 지정
Also Read:
[1] Korean Vape Retailers Warn of Possible Store Closures After New Tobacco Rules Take Effect
[2] Seoul to Fine Use of Liquid E-Cigarettes in No-Smoking Areas From April 24
[3] South Korea’s Revised Tobacco Business Act to Take Effect, With Penalties for Unauthorized Sales
[4] Goyang City Urges Relevant Sellers to Apply for Tobacco Retailer Designation by April 23

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
EVO NXT European Tobacco & NGP Exhibition
EVO NXT European Tobacco & NGP Exhibition
Delaware Tax Proposal Targets Vapes, Nicotine Pouches and Other Tobacco Products
Delaware Tax Proposal Targets Vapes, Nicotine Pouches and Other Tobacco Products
Delaware’s latest tobacco tax increase bill cleared its first House committee hurdle on April 22. Backed by House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, the bill would raise the cigarette tax from $2.10 to $3.60 per pack and increase taxes on moist snuff, vapor products and other tobacco products.
Apr.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
IQOS Japan Introduces Multiple Pastel-Style UV-Printed Designs for ILUMA i, Available Until April 20
IQOS Japan Introduces Multiple Pastel-Style UV-Printed Designs for ILUMA i, Available Until April 20
The official IQOS Japan Instagram account posted that IQOS ILUMA i has introduced multiple exterior designs featuring pastel-style UV prints (a UV-curing printing process), adding spring colors to the regular device lineup, with limited-time sales at IQOS Stores through April 20.
Apr.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
FDA Center for Tobacco Products Acting Director Bret Koplow said at the American Tobacco and Nicotine Forum that the agency has reduced its premarket tobacco application backlog by about 70% over the past year and eliminated the acceptance queue. He said FDA has reviewed about 27 million applications, but only a small number have been authorized, mainly because most submissions lacked the scientific data needed to demonstrate public health benefits.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippine Health Department Pushes Total Vape Ban, With Tobacco-Only Flavor Limit as Alternative
Philippine Health Department Pushes Total Vape Ban, With Tobacco-Only Flavor Limit as Alternative
The Philippine Department of Health said it is pushing for a total ban on vape products. If a full ban is not feasible, DOH officer-in-charge Director Dr. Dominic Maddumba said vape products should at least be limited to plain tobacco flavors to reduce their appeal to minors.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on May 13 criticized the Trump Administration’s Food and Drug Administration for approving the sale and marketing of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for the first time, while also allowing some illegal vaping products to remain on the market. He also linked the regulatory shift to the departure of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, saying White House pressure on regulators to approve tobacco product applications could create serious public-health consequences.
Regulations
May.15
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Group reported its first-quarter 2026 results on April 30. Net revenues were $5.43 billion, up 3.2% year on year, while revenues net of excise taxes were $4.76 billion, up 5.3%. Reported diluted EPS was $1.30, up more than 100%, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.32, up 7.3%.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Related Topics
News
Related Read
Delaware Tax Proposal Targets Vapes, Nicotine Pouches and Other Tobacco Products
Delaware Tax Proposal Targets Vapes, Nicotine Pouches and Other Tobacco Products
2FIRSTS.ai
IQOS Japan Introduces Multiple Pastel-Style UV-Printed Designs for ILUMA i, Available Until April 20
IQOS Japan Introduces Multiple Pastel-Style UV-Printed Designs for ILUMA i, Available Until April 20
2FIRSTS.ai
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
2FIRSTS.ai
Philippine Health Department Pushes Total Vape Ban, With Tobacco-Only Flavor Limit as Alternative
Philippine Health Department Pushes Total Vape Ban, With Tobacco-Only Flavor Limit as Alternative
2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
2FIRSTS.ai
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Contact: info@2firsts.com
Stay up to date.
Submit your email to receive weekly newsletter on the most relevant news of the e-cigarette industry.
© 2026 2FIRSTS. All Right Reserved.
2FIRSTS is only accessible to industry practitioners, researchers, media and other professionals. Access by minors is prohibited.
This website provides services to users outside the Chinese mainland.
English
English
中文