South Korea Finalizes Partial Amendment to the “Chemical Hazard Review Results” (Updated)
Reference source : NICS (National Institute of Chemical Safety)
Update September 2, 2026:
On September 2, 2026, NICS officially finalized the amendment through NICS Notice No. 2026-15, following the July pre-announcement under NICS Notice No. 2026-66. The final amendment largely adopts the proposed structure, including the reorganization of the annexes, revisions to hazard information for six existing entries under the new chemical substances section and six existing chemical substance entries, and the addition of 78 existing chemical substance entries (2026-771 to 2026-848). A new annex for hazard assessment results has also been introduced.
Original News:
On July 10, 2026, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) issued Notice No. 2026-66, announcing a proposed partial amendment to the Public Notice on Chemical Hazard Review Results under the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances (K-REACH).
The proposed amendment aims to reorganize the current disclosure framework and publish newly completed chemical hazard review and hazard assessment results.
Key Changes under the Proposed K-REACH Amendment
Separate Disclosure of Hazard Review and Hazard Assessment Results
NICS proposes to distinguish between:
- Hazard review results conducted under Article 18 of K-REACH
- Hazard assessment results conducted under Article 19 of K-REACH
Articles 1 and 2 of the existing notice will be revised, and a new Article 3 covering hazard assessment results will be introduced.
The existing annex will also be divided into:
- Annex 1: Chemical Hazard Review Results
- Annex 2: Chemical Hazard Assessment Results
Chemicals Covered by the Amendment
Hazard Review Results
For new chemical substances:
- No new substances will be added
- Six existing entries will be revised, including corrections to unique numbers 2021-159 and 2023-88
For existing chemical substances:
- Seventy-eight substances will be newly added
- Six existing entries will be revised based on newly available hazard information
The newly added substances mainly include chemicals for which hazard reviews were completed between September and December 2025, as well as substances identified as hazardous to human health or the environment between January and April 2026.
Hazard Assessment Results
A new Annex 2 will publish hazard assessment results for six notified new chemical substances considered to present potential hazard concerns.
Information to Be Published
The amended notice will disclose key regulatory information, including:
- Chemical name
- CAS number
- Classification as hazardous to human health or the environment
- Major hazard properties
- Hazard review or hazard assessment conclusions
Potential Impact on Companies
Manufacturers, importers and Only Representatives operating under K-REACH should review the proposed substance lists and determine whether any of their chemicals are included.
The amendment may affect:
- K-REACH registration dossiers
- Korean safety data sheets
- Chemical classification and labelling
- Supply chain communication
- Risk management measures
- Import and manufacturing compliance
Companies should also verify whether the published chemical names, CAS numbers and hazard information are accurate.
Public Comment Deadline
Stakeholders may submit comments on the proposed amendment to NICS by July 30, 2026.
Submissions should include:
- Comments on each proposed amendment
- Proposed revisions and supporting reasons
- Name of the individual or organization
- Representative’s name, where applicable
- Address and telephone number
Recommended Actions
Companies supplying chemicals to the South Korean market should:
- Review the substances listed in the proposed amendment.
- Check whether registered or imported chemicals are affected.
- Assess whether SDS or labelling updates may be required.
- Submit comments before the deadline if any information is incorrect or requires clarification.
