An Introduction to K-REACH or Korea REACH

On March 28, 2025, the National Institute of Chemical Safety in South Korea announced a partial revision of the Standards for Installation and Management of Hazardous Chemical Transport Facilities. This revision aims to clarify and specify the standards for vehicle transport facilities to reduce confusion in the file and enhance the chemical safety of transport facilities.  

Specifically, the current regulations for vehicle-mounted tanks require a minimum steel plate thickness of 3.2 mm or equivalent materials for all substances, but this approach is impractical for corrosive substances, leading to increased vehicle weight and reduced steel lifespan. To address this, the regulations have been revised to allow materials tailored to the specific needs of corrosive substances. However, existing guidelines for lining materials and methods are unclear, resulting in frequent accidents despite the use of linings. 

Key Content 

• Target audience: Operators of hazardous chemical vehicle transport facilities, specifically those transporting corrosive substances. 

• Stakeholders: The public, especially those impacted by the transportation of hazardous chemicals. 

• Key change: The revised standards specify that when transporting corrosive substances, the selection of appropriate corrosion-resistant lining materials must be clearly defined. This includes providing practical guidance on how to inspect and apply the correct lining materials. 

Submission of Comments  

Individuals, organizations, and associations wishing to provide feedback on the proposed revisions to the "Standards for Installation and Management of Hazardous Chemical Transport Facilities" must submit their comments by April 18, 2025. Feedback can be submitted online through the National Legislative Center website, or by email with the necessary contact details. 

On April 8, 2025, South Korea issued a notice of administrative announcement on a partial revision on the result of chemical hazard evaluation. This revision is based on the completion of toxicity evaluations for existing chemicals under the K-REACH Act. The revised notice includes details on the chemical substance names, hazard information, whether substances are hazardous, and other relevant results. Additionally, the notice includes the publication of the names of newly evaluated chemical substances after the expiration of their data protection periods. 

Key Changes 

1. Expiration of Data Protection: 

• Following the expiration of the data protection (2023), chemical substance names that were previously protected will now be made public. This includes four substances, with corrections to one item. 

2. Hazard Evaluation of Existing Substances: 

• The hazard evaluation results for 29 substances, conducted between February and June 2024, will be included in Annex 2.  

3. Additional Data for Previously Announced Chemicals: 

• Four additional substances will have their data updated, and 20 substances will be assigned unique identifiers based on toxicity status. 

4. Chemical Substance Details: 

• The notice will include comprehensive details such as CAS numbers, hazard status, and key hazard characteristics for substances that have been evaluated. 

Submission of Comments 

Interested individuals, institutions, and associations are invited to submit their feedback on the proposed changes by April 28, 2025. Comments should be addressed to NICS and should include details such as the subject of the feedback, contact information, and the reasons for any suggested revisions.