On September 26, 2024, the Ministry of Labor in South Korea, under the Industrial Safety and Health Act, issued Notice No. 2024-379, publicly disclosing detailed information on 110 new chemical substances. It includes the names of the chemicals, their hazards, risks, annual production and import volumes, and preventive measures taken to avoid harm to workers' health.

The notice notes that the classification of these chemical substances was based on both domestic and international chemical information databases, following the standards set by the Notice No. 9 of 2023, Classification, Labeling, and Safety Data Sheet Standards for Chemical Substances. This classification process includes the assessment of toxicity data and the new information that may be confirmed through additional toxicity testing and research.

The notice emphasizes the importance of preventive measures to protect workers' health. Even if the information on hazards and risks is not fully detailed, basic protective measures must be taken to address the potential short-term or long-term exposure risks workers might face when handling these new chemicals. For instance, during operations, workers should wear personal protective equipment such as respiratory protection, protective gloves, and safety goggles to avoid direct exposure to dust. Additionally, if significant dust is generated during operations, appropriate ventilation facilities like local exhaust systems should be installed in the work area.

The release of this notice marks a significant step forward in South Korea's efforts to enhance chemical safety management and strengthen worker protection. Through these measures, the Ministry of Labor ensures the safety of the industrial environment and the health of workers.

It not only highlights its commitment to workers' health and safety but also demonstrates South Korea's progress in chemical safety management. The implementation of these new measures is expected to have a positive impact on industrial safety and worker health in South Korea.

Details on the 110 new chemical substances can be found in the annex to the official notice on the website:

https://www.moel.go.kr/news/notice/noticeView.do?bbs_seq=20240901186