Sung Hyun Yim

Expert Discusses Key Findings of Panel on Small and Medium Chemical Enterprises in Korea

An insightful interview with a panel expert, Mr Sung Hyun Yim, reveals the future of chemical legislation, stakeholder engagement, and the difference between K-REACH and KOSHA in Korea's growing chemical industry.

Summary of the Panel Discussion

Mr Yim was pleased with the outcome of the panel discussion. He emphasised the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Korea, especially in the chemical industry, where 99% of companies fall into this category. Mr Yim expressed the need to develop legislation that is in line with consumer and industry acceptance and emphasised the importance of stakeholder involvement in this process. He stressed that stakeholder involvement is crucial to creating sound legislation.

Differences Between K-REACH and KOSHA

Clarifying the distinction between K-REACH and KOSHA, Mr Yim explained that these regulations are managed by different ministries and focus on different aspects of chemical management. KOSHA focuses on occupational health and safety and is managed by the Ministry of Labor and Health, while K-REACH is managed by the Ministry of Environment and deals with the broader characteristics of chemicals, including hazards and uses.

Use of EU REACH Data in Korea

Mr Yim addressed the question of whether data from substances registered in Europe could be used for registration under K-REACH, specifically data from EU-REACH where data becomes freely available after 12 years. The need for Korean data, particularly for use, exposure, and hazard information, is emphasised. He stressed that the hazard information available at the public domain from EU REACH could be used but that use and exposure information would have to be collected from each Korean downstream user. Hazard data aligned with OECD TSGE and good laboratory practice (GLP) are acceptable under K-REACH.

Substances Subject to Authorization under K-REACH

Mr Yim explained that if a substance is subject to authorisation the responsibility shifts from K-REACH to the Chemical Control Act. Under K-REACH, the focus is on registration, evaluation, risk assessment, and classification of substances. If a substance requires authorisation, it falls under the scope of the Chemical Control Act. The process involves submitting an application for authorisation to the regional environmental office, with the necessary information outlined in the Chemical Control Act. To date, no substances have been identified for authorisation in Korea. However, 11 candidate chemicals have been identified for authorisation and details of the application process are being developed and will be announced later year. The selection process for these candidates mirrors the EU REACH methodology, taking into account factors like volume, use, and the extent of use. Stakeholder engagement is currently underway to further develop and finalise this process.

Future Steps for Asian Chemical Regulation

Mr Yim found the panel discussions very interesting and was particularly enthusiastic about the restriction of PFAS in Europe, as this is also a major concern in Korea. He hopes to see further discussion and the creation of more panels on these issues at the next ACF. In addition, Mr Yim also mentioned the global plastics treaty negotiations on plastics and their additives. He suggested that this topic could be a key focus for the next ACF as the treaty is expected to be formulated and adopted by 2025.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the interview with panel expert Mr. Sung Hyun Yim provided valuable insights into the Korean chemical industry, covering key aspects of legislation, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory differences between K-REACH and KOSHA. This interview provided a comprehensive overview of the current and potential future directions in the realm of chemical regulation in Korea.