January 10, 2024, the Korean Institute of Environmental Research issued Public Notice No. 2024-3, revising the 'Notification of Designated Toxic Substances' aimed at more effective management and monitoring of chemical substances.
Main revisions:
- Change in Chemical Substance Names: Modifications have been made to the names of the chemical substances with KE numbers “97-1-296,” “2014-1-718,” and “2017-1-763.”
- Addition of Toxic Substances: Several toxic substances have been added following KE number “2023-1-1173,” ranging from “2023-1-1174” to “2023-1-1212.”
This notice will come into effect three months after its publication. Under the revised 'Notification of Designated Toxic Substances', substances included will undergo hazard assessment to determine their potential risks to human health and the environment. Based on the hazard and potential risks of the chemicals, the government may establish or amend regulations, restricting or prohibiting their use. This may include restrictions on production, import, sale, storage, and handling. Consequently, the Korean Institute of Environmental Research urges all relevant enterprises and individuals to be aware of these changes and ensure compliance with the new regulations within the specified timeframe to adhere to national environmental safety standards. The government and environmental agencies will continue to collaborate towards more sustainable management of chemical substances.
