South Korea publishes safety management guidelines for biocidal treated products automobiles.

The "Safety Management Guidelines for Biocidal Treated Products (Automobile)" have been distributed for the safety management of automobile-related biocides. It includes the obligations and responsibilities of stakeholders (automobile, parts manufacturer, supplier, etc.), parts, and the implementation period. 

• Guidelines for Biocidal Treated Products (Automobile): 

1. These guidelines address the safety management of biocides used in automobiles. 
2. They outline the obligations and responsibilities of stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, parts manufacturers, and suppliers. 
3. The guidelines cover various aspects related to biocides, including implementation periods and specific parts. 
4. Key areas of focus include labelling and advertising practices for biocidal products used in automobiles. 

• Concerns about Labelling and Advertising: 

1. If you label or advertise a biocidal product (such as “antibacterial,” “virus removal,” or “99.9% antibacterial power”) on materials such as preserved leather, textiles, or filters commonly used in cars, there are potential risks. 
2. Once the transitional measures for the authorisation of biocidal products expire, such labelling may be considered as unauthorised disinfectants. 
3. Inadvertent marketing of illegal products can have serious consequences. 

• Recommendations and Efforts: 

1. To prevent such issues, efforts should be made to: 

- Remove inappropriate labelling and advertising in advance. 

- Distribute and guide safety management guidelines to automobile manufacturers, parts manufacturers, and importers. 

      2. Prompt action is crucial, as correcting labelling errors, after market release can be challenging and time-consuming. 

• Collaboration for Industry Compliance: 

In response to these concerns, several entities in Korea have collaborated: 

• Ministry of Environment 

• Korea Consumer Agency 

• Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association 

• Domestic automakers: Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, Renault Korea Motors, and KG Mobility 

Together, they have developed the “Safety Management Guidelines for Biological Treatment Products (Automobile Facilities)”—a significant step toward ensuring compliance with biocide regulations in the automobile industry.