Reference source : Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.
Amendment Joint Registration Chemical Data Sharing cost Obligations Notification New Substance Tonnage Band Enforcement Compliance Manufacture Importer K-REACH
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has published a revised edition of the Practical Guide on Sharing Registration Application Data and Cost Allocation under South Korea’s K-REACH framework. The updated guidance, issued in May 2026, offers practical implementation advice on legislative amendments to K-REACH adopted in 2024 and 2025, and provides industry with clearer instructions on joint registration, data sharing, and cost-sharing obligations.
Key Regulatory Changes Incorporated
One of the most significant updates is the revision of the registration and notification threshold for new substances. The guidance reflects the amended requirement to increase the registration and notification threshold for new chemical substances from 100 kg per year to 1 tonne per year.
The revised guide also reflects recent legal amendments that shift the legal basis for forming joint submission consortia from the Enforcement Rule to the Act. It also clarifies the roles of consortium representatives, active participants, passive participants, and later registrants. Updated terminology and definitions have been introduced to ensure consistency with current legislation.
Stronger Rules on Cost Sharing and Transparency
A major focus of the revision is the introduction of new principles governing the allocation of costs related to joint submissions and data sharing. The guide explains that cost-sharing arrangements should be based on the principles of fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination, with costs determined by agreement among participating parties. Updated examples illustrate differentiated allocation methods based on annual manufacturing or import volume ranges.
New Dispute Resolution and Submission Deferral Provisions
The guidance also reflects newly established dispute resolution mechanisms. Consortium members and later registrants may now seek formal mediation when disagreements arise regarding data sharing or cost allocation. In addition, new provisions allow for the deferral of submission of data requiring the owner's consent in situations where mediation proposals are not accepted.
By consolidating these legislative developments, the revised guide aims to improve regulatory certainty, facilitate efficient data sharing, and support compliance with the evolving K-REACH requirements for chemical manufacturers and importers.