South Korea announces key update on data omissions in chemical registrations.

On August 30, 2024, the Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco) announced an important update regarding the registration of chemical substances. When registering a chemical substance in accordance with Article 13 (5) of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances (K-REACH), certain data submissions may be omitted.  

Key Point of the Update 

The key points to note are: 

1. Criteria for Data Omission: When a chemical substance is registered under the provisory clause to Article 14(1) of the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Article 13(5) of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act, part of the registration application may be omitted. 

2. Proof of Similarity Requirement: Previously, under Article 5(1)5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the same Act, companies were required to submit the following data as evidence: 

• Proof of similarity between the substance to be registered and similar chemicals. 

• Test data for similar chemicals. 

3. Reduced Redundancy: The Ministry of Environment announced that if the test data has been submitted previously, the same company can omit to submit it again when registering chemical substances under Article 13(5) of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances. This was implemented immediately per the active administrative decision dated August 23, 2024. 

Legal Basis for Data Omission in Chemical Registrations  

The provisory clause to Article 14(1) of the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances: In the case of a phase-in substance or non-phase-in substance prescribed by Presidential Decree, he or she need not submit some of the relevant data, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment.  

Article 13 (5) of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances: A chemical substance whose human health or environmental hazards may be determined based on the results obtained from a chemical substance with similar structure or similar physical and chemical properties, such as metallic compounds containing same metals.