K-REACH: The Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances
The main industrial chemical regulation in South Korea is the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (AREC), commonly known as “K-REACH”. The main revision to the regulation entered into force on 1 January 2019.
K-REACH places significant obligations on manufacturers, importers, users and sellers of chemicals. Companies failing to comply can face large penalties, including penalty surcharges of up to 5% of sales and prison sentences of up to 5 years.
K-REACH Registration deadlines for existing substances:
The Main Regulatory Obligations
Late Pre-notification of existing substances manufactured or imported ≥1 tonne/year
Registration of existing substances manufactured or imported ≥1 tonne/year (approximately 7000 substances) before specified registration deadlines
Registration of new substances before manufacture or import ≥0.1 t/y
Notification of new substances before manufacture or import <0.1 t/y
Where relevant, application for “Confirmation of Exemption from Registration”
Notification of priority control substances to the Ministry of Environment if manufactured/imported at >1 t/y and present in consumer products at > 0.1%.
Compliance with requirements for information provisions in the supply chain
Compliance with authorisation requirements for the candidate substances subject to authorisation.
Restriction requirements: K-REACH restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in consumer products and articles.
Please also be aware of the obligations under the Chemical Control Act (CCA) and K-OSHA.
Frequently Asked Questions
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