The Korean environment ministry recently proposed far-reaching regulations, modeled largely on European Union law, on the use of chemicals. In response, USCIB engaged its members and submitted comments, supporting other submissions by business and industry groups, including the American Chemistry Council.
The regulations would amend Korea’s toxic chemicals control act and introduce many elements similar to those found in the EU’s REACH law on chemicals, including priority chemicals, chemicals for authorization, chemicals for restriction, pre-registration of priority chemicals and communication of information throughout the supply chain.
USCIB urged that manufactured products or articles be excluded from all the regulation’s provisions, and that exclusions for such articles not require a confirmation that they are exempt. “A requirement that manufacturers or importers submit an application for confirmation of an exemption would be inefficient and wasteful,” the USCIB letter stated.
Under a World Trade Organization agreement on technical barriers to trade, Korea must notify the organization when it prepares or adopts a new technical regulation or standard, and other WTO member nations may comment on such measures.
Staff contact: Helen Medina
