South Korea

The Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) of 1991 — the key law addressing the basic management of industrial chemicals — was divided, as of January 1, 2015, into two regulatory schemes:  South Korea’s newly minted chemical management law, the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substance, that has come to be called K-REACH, and the Chemical Control Act (CCA). Provisions related to the registration and evaluation of new and existing substances now fall under the umbrella of K-REACH, and CCA activities focus principally on the control of hazardous substances. K-REACH’s adoption in 2013 is the latest example of the growing international significance of the European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) chemicals management framework. The adoption of REACH-like principles does not mean K-REACH is identical to European REACH. Significant differences exist and Acta professionals can assist in distinguishing them to ensure your commercial objectives are efficiently achieved.

There is no official transition date identified by which notifications under the existing TCCA should cease. Given the time frame to complete the notification process, however, the official submission date was October 22, 2014. TCCA has broad reach in terms of the array of chemicals it currently covers and the activities it affects. South Korea maintains an extensive chemical inventory and, as under other regulatory schemes, “new” chemicals — those not listed on the inventory — are subject to notification requirements unless otherwise exempt. The law provides differing notification options.

K-REACH requires that anyone who manufactures, imports, or sells new and existing chemicals in Korea, at greater than or equal to 1 ton per annum, must annually report volume and use details unless otherwise exempt. All new chemicals (unless otherwise exempt) and designated existing substances must be registered and must be reported annually under K-REACH. Companies must submit information regarding the manufacturer/importer, chemical identification, intended uses, classification and labeling, physical and chemical properties, hazard and risk information, safety data, and use-related exposure information when applying for registration.

Foreign manufacturers exporting chemical substances or products into South Korea may appoint an Only Representative. Qualification for Only Representative status is to be decided by the Ministry of Environment (MoE). An Only Representative’s obligations include annual reporting of use and tonnage of chemical substances, registration, notification of products, and other activities as set out in the presidential decree. The Only Representative must report to the MoE the appointment or release of the appointment by foreign manufacturers.

How, when, and by which entity are all strategic decisions that business entities need to consider carefully in reporting and registering their chemical products in South Korea.  Acta, with offices in the U.S., EU, and China, is uniquely well-suited to provide guidance and assistance to companies affected by K-REACH. Our global team of scientists, regulatory consultants, and policy experts, augmented by our network of strategic partners, delivers the strategic business and technical know-how needed to register or maintain chemicals and chemical products on the global market, plus unparalleled access to experienced boots on the ground in South Korea.