South Korea Approves 15 Biocidal Products

Recently, the South Korea's Ministry of Environment announced the approval of 15 biocidal products closely related to daily life, under the Consumer Chemical Products and Biocides Safety Act (K-BPR). These products include disinfectants, algicides, rodenticides, insecticides, and repellents.

The Ministry stated that these products have passed rigorous safety and efficacy assessments conducted by the Ministry and the National Institute of Chemical Safety, and will be publicly disclosed through the official Chemical Products Management System (chemp.me.go.kr) by the end of December. This step ensures that while these products eliminate harmful bacteria and pests, they do not pose a threat to the environment or public health.

The approval period for these 15 products varies from three to ten years, depending on the type of product and the results of the assessment. Furthermore, the Ministry plans to complete the safety and efficacy verification for all types of products including disinfectants, insecticides, rodenticides, and algicides by December 2025.

The Ministry and the National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) will also assess other types of biocidal substances and products, such as wood preservatives, during a transition period set by the Chemical Products Safety Act, to ensure all products meet safety standards before going to market. Products not approved will be prohibited from distribution and sale on the market starting from July 1, 2026.

The specific transition periods for the approval of biocidal products are as follows:

• Until December 31, 2025: Disinfectants, algicides, rodenticides, insecticides, repellents;
• Until December 31, 2026: Wood preservatives, vertebrate and invertebrate control substances;
• Until December 31, 2029: Preservatives for product protection, surface treatment preservatives, textiles, and leather; and
• Until December 31, 2031: Preservatives for building materials, materials and equipment, preservatives for animal specimens, and antifouling agents for ships and underwater facilities.

Additionally, the Ministry and the NICS will provide support to the industry, helping them to complete safety and efficacy evaluations within the approval grace period, including support for the production costs of test data and guidance on the application process.

The NICS emphasizes that in the future, only household chemical products such as disinfectants and insecticides that have undergone rigorous review and have been confirmed as safe can be sold on the market. This approach will better protect public health and ensure that consumers can safely use these products.

Details of the approved products and further information are published on the official website of the Ministry of Environment:

https://www.gov.kr/portal/gvrnPolicy/view/H2412000001130173?policyType=G00301&Mcode=11218

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