South Korea Issues New Instructions for Substance Preregistration

Shortly before the expiration of the preregistration period for existing substances at the end of June 2019, the South Korean Ministry of Environment (MoE) has issued additional instructions for two special cases (in Korean only).

The first case involves substances of unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products, or biological materials (UVCB). The second deals with substances for which foreign vendors or manufacturers have not yet supplied any information because of confidential business information (CBI). The nature of the information meant that companies were unable to deliver any information at all to South Korean authorities. More and more companies sought advice from the Korea Environment Corporation (KECO), which handles preregistrations for the MoE.

The Ministry has now reacted and asked companies to submit what information they have before the deadline – even if it’s incomplete. They now have until September 30 to supply the missing information.

For UVCB substances, such as petrochemical mixtures, the following information is required:

• Name, contents, classification, and labeling of the mixture
• Proof that the substance was manufactured and/or imported before 1991 (through an import declaration, for example)
• Documentation of information on the manufacturing or synthesizing process.

Any available analysis data on the mixtures, such as chromatographic data, should also be supplied. If the UVCB substance is also carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR), comprehensive information on the classification and labeling is required.

Foreign manufacturers must appoint a sole representative to complete this task.

If information is missing because of CBI concerns, companies should provide the data available to the companies at preregistration. They must also prove that they have requested the required data from foreign manufacturers. Data and correspondence should then be conducted by e-mail, not the usual IT system.

We have worked with our partners in South Korea for years. We can handle the preregistration and registration of chemicals and maintain the marketability of your products. If you import products into South Korea, please contact us at reach@kft.de.