News Details

South Korea has announced a proposed revision to the Regulation on Prescribed Quantities of Hazardous Chemicals (NICS Announcement No. 2026-77), following the designation of new hazardous chemicals under the Chemical Substances Control Act (K-CCA). 

The revision aims to establish regulated quantity thresholds for newly designated hazardous chemicals in accordance with Articles 19, 23, 27, and 29 of the Enforcement Rules of the K-CCA. The proposal follows the administrative notice on the designation of acute human health hazardous substances, chronic human health hazardous substances, and ecotoxic substances (National Institute of Chemical Safety Notice No. 2025-128). 

  [Key Changes]

1. New Quantity Thresholds for 38 Hazardous Chemicals 

Regulated quantities are proposed for the 38 newly designated hazardous chemicals, which will be added to Appendix 2, entries 1559–1598. 

For 18 substances, the general criteria based on hazard groups will apply, with the lowest regulated quantity generally calculated as 2.5% of the lower-tier regulated quantity. 

For 20 substances, separate or strengthened criteria will apply, based on factors such as small-quantity thresholds and physicochemical hazards. These include: 

• Applying stricter small-quantity thresholds where they are lower than the calculated regulated quantity; 

• Applying physicochemical hazard-based thresholds where they are more stringent than those based on acute, chronic, or environmental hazards; 

• Applying a 5% calculation for substances classified only for chronic hazards; and 

• Applying the more stringent threshold where different concentration-based hazard classifications result in inconsistent regulated quantities. 

2. Low-Dispersion Substances 

Specific regulated quantities are proposed for seven newly designated low-dispersion substances (Appendix 2, entries 1567, 1570, 1580, 1587, 1591, 1595, and 1598). 

For low-dispersion substances classified as Skin Corrosion Hazard Group 1, stricter regulated quantities based on acute and other applicable hazards will apply. 

3. Updates to Existing Hazardous Chemicals 

The proposal also introduces corrections and classification updates for five existing substances, including: 

• Addition of lead sulfate (CAS No. 7446-14-2) under unique number 97-1-9; 

• Correction of “ferricynide salts” to “ferricyanide salts” under 97-1-90; 

• Revision of the Korean chemical name for paraquat and its salts under 97-1-323; 

• Revision of regulated quantities under 2021-1-1077 due to a change in hazard classification codes; and 

• Addition of CAS No. 126-06-7 under 97-1-399. 

4. Other Regulatory Updates 

The proposed amendment also includes editorial and technical revisions, including clarification of the wording related to maximum storage quantities under Article 4. 

What Companies Should Know 

Companies manufacturing, importing, storing, or handling hazardous chemicals in South Korea should review whether their substances are included in the newly designated or revised entries. Changes to regulated quantities may affect facility requirements, handling standards, reporting obligations, and other compliance requirements under the K-CCA. 

Businesses handling affected substances should assess the proposed thresholds and prepare for potential compliance impacts once the amendment is finalized.