On September 4, 2024, the Ministry of Environment announced revisions (Notice No. 2024-571) to comprehensively update the POPs categories and specific exemption regulations. The revisions refine the definitions of POPs under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Management Act, specifying chemical names and CAS numbers. They also clarify exemption conditions and expiration timelines to ensure environmental and public health protection.
Key Updates
Specific Labeling of Persistent Pollutants
According to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Management Act, South Korea has detailed the classification of persistent pollutants, mainly covering substances specified in Annexes A (banned substances), B (restricted substances), and C (unintentionally produced substances) of the Stockholm Convention. These pollutants are characterized by persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. The regulations clarify that if substances listed in Annex A or B of the Stockholm Convention are present in products or finished goods as non-intentional trace impurities, or generated during a process, they are not classified as persistent pollutants. However, if the content of short-chain chlorinated paraffin mixtures exceeds 1% by weight, they are still regarded as persistent pollutants.
Note: For substances listed in Annexes A (banned substances) and B (restricted substances), their production, use, import, export, etc., are prohibited or restricted, except for uses allowed by the Stockholm Convention. For substances listed in Annex C (unintentionally produced substances), emission sources and emission quantities must be investigated, and emission reduction measures must be taken.
Clarification of Specific Exemption Matters
The Management Act on Persistent Pollutants details the specific substances and uses exempted from the prohibition and restriction of domestic production, import, export, and use of persistent pollutants. The Ministry of Environment will reassess the existence of alternative substances, socio-economic impacts, and environmental and human health impacts of the exempted persistent pollutants to ensure their safe management. Exemption periods will be set based on specific circumstances, and the Minister of Environment will review the rationality of exemption policies every three years.
Enterprises and related institutions must strictly comply with the regulations on the management of persistent pollutants issued by the South Korean Ministry of Environment, and ensure that their production, import, export, and use meet the relevant exemption and restriction requirements.
Regulations and standards
► Persistent Organic Pollutants Management Act
Regulatory authorities
► Korean Ministry of Environment (MOE)
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