South Korea notifies WTO of proposed revision to the “Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control” 

On May 19, 2025, South Korea notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of proposed amendments to the “Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control” aimed at strengthening consumer safety by regulating the use of recycled materials in imported food-contact items such as utensils and packaging. Although Korea’s Food Sanitation Act already regulates the use of recycled materials in domestically produced food-contact items, there are currently no safety standards for recycled materials used in imported items. This gap poses a potential health risk torec consumers. The proposed amendment introduces a system to ensure that recycled materials used in imported utensils, containers, and packaging comply with Korean food safety standards. 

Key Provisions 

1. Mandatory Safety Certification for Recycled Materials (Article 10-3) 

• Importers of food-contact products made with recycled materials must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to verify that the materials meet the safety criteria under the Food Sanitation Act. 

• Importers must submit the required documentation and may be asked to provide additional safety data. 

• If approved, the MFDS will issue an official certification. 

• Certifications obtained through false or misleading means will be revoked. 

2. Ban on Non-Certified Recycled Material Imports (Article 10-4) 

• It is strictly prohibited to import or sell any food-contact articles made with recycled materials that have not received official MFDS approval. 

3. Enforcement and Penalties (Article 42 Amendment) 

• Violators who import or distribute non-certified recycled products will be subject to regulatory penalties under the revised Article 42.