Recently, the Ministry of Labor in South Korea, under Article 108(3) of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and Clause 153 of the enforcement rules, officially issued Announcement No. 2025-162, disclosing 72 new chemical substances manufactured and imported in the first quarter of 2025. The hazards, risks, annual manufacturing and import volumes, and measures to prevent worker health damage related to these substances were detailed. Manufacturers and importers of new chemical substances are required to submit a report on the hazards and risks to the Ministry of Labor 30 days before manufacturing or importing these materials.

On February 5, 2025, the South Korean National Assembly officially launched the legislative revision process for the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH), aiming to resolve disputes in the joint submission system for chemical substances and fill legal gaps in the replacement procedures for foreign manufacturers’ designated Only Representatives (OR). The revision, undergoing parliamentary review from February 7 to 21, 2025, marks a critical step in enhancing South Korea’s chemical management framework.

On March 20, 2025, the Chemical Safety Agency under South Korea’s Ministry of Environment released a draft of the Detailed Guidelines for Extended Inspection of Hazardous Chemical Transport Containers, mandating that expired containers undergo rigorous testing before reuse. The policy will take effect immediately upon finalization and undergo triennial reviews (by June 30 every three years) starting July 1, 2025.

On March 19, 2025, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) issued Notice No. 2025-7, announcing significant amendments to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). In alignment with updated requirements under the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) and the Chemical Substances Control Act, chrysotile-previously classified as a restricted substance-has now been upgraded to a prohibited substance. This marks a comprehensive tightening of South Korea’s regulatory controls on chrysotile-related materials.

After completing K-REACH registration, registrants must fulfill post-registration obligations, including the transmission of chemical substance safety information in the supply chain.

To safeguard the occupational safety of foreign workers, South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL) announced the release of multilingual Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) training materials in 17 languages. Effective immediately, businesses are mandated to use these resources to conduct compulsory safety training for foreign employees handling chemicals.

The Korea Environment Corporation (KECO) announced the initiation of its 2025 Existing Chemical Substances Full-support Program, designed to provide comprehensive assistance for joint registrations of Phase 3 (annual production 10-100 tons) chemical substances.

On February 27, 2025, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Ministry of Justice (MOJ) jointly announced at a press conference that a compliance grace period program under the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) will take effect starting February 28. The policy aims to provide companies that have failed to fulfill chemical management obligations with a rectification window, allowing them to avoid criminal and financial penalties through voluntary reporting.

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) in South Korea announced proposed revisions to the Enforcement Regulations of the Chemical Substances Control Act (K-CCA) and is now seeking public feedback. Stakeholders, including institutions, organizations, and individuals, may submit comments through the Integrated Legislation Notice Center (http://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr) by March 25, 2025.

On February 18, 2025, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) announced the revision of hazard assessment results for 236 chemical substances under the Act on Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances (K-REACH) and its enforcement rules. The update, formalized through Notice No. 2025-5, aims to strengthen chemical safety management and enhance public health protections.