CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

법갈피

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CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT — 법갈피

Article 3(Scope of application) #

(1) This Act shall not apply to any of the following chemical substances: <Amended on May 18, 2021; Feb. 6, 2024>

1. Radioactive chemical substances under subparagraph 5 of Article 2 of the Nuclear Safety Act;

2. Medicines and non-pharmaceutical items under subparagraphs 4 and 7 of Article 2 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act;

3. Narcotics under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Narcotics Control Act;

4. Cosmetics and raw materials used for cosmetics under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Cosmetics Act;

5. Pesticides and technical ingredients under subparagraphs 1 and 3 of Article 2 of the Pesticide Control Act;

6. Fertilizers under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Fertilizer Control Act;

7. Foods, food additives, appliances, containers, and packages under subparagraphs 1, 2, 4, and 5 of Article 2 of the Food Sanitation Act;

8. Livestock feed under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Control of Livestock and Fish Feed Act;

9. Explosives under Article 2(3) of the Control of Firearms, Knives, Swords, Explosives, etc. Act;

10. Military supplies (excluding conventional items under Article 3 of the act on the management of military supplies) under Article 2 of the Act on the Management of Military Supplies and subparagraph 2 of Article 3 of the Defense Acquisition Program Act;

11. Functional health foods under subparagraph 1 of Article 3 of the Functional Health Foods Act;

12. Medical devices under Article 2(1) of the Medical Devices Act;

13. Toxic gases under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act.

14. Organic food, organic processed products not intended for human consumption, processed food made with pesticide-free raw materials, organic agro-fishery materials, and permitted substances under subparagraphs 4, 5, 5-2, 6, and 7 of Article 2 of the Act on the Promotion of Environment-Friendly Agriculture and Fisheries and the Management of and Support for Organic Foods;

15. Designated wastes defined in subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Wastes Control Act (limited to wastes handled by waste treatment business specified in Article 25(5)1 through 4 of that Act).

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), Articles 4 through 23 (excluding Article 6(3)1 through 5, Articles 13, 16, 19, and 20), 23-2, 23-3, 26, and 39 through 50 (excluding Articles 49(1)7 and 8, and 50(1)6), 52, 54 through 64 (excluding subparagraphs 8 through 13 of Article 54, subparagraphs 4 and 5 of Article 58, subparagraphs 7 through 9 and 11 of Article 59, subparagraph 4 of Article 61, and Article 64(1)5 through 9 and (2)4) shall apply to chemical substances falling under paragraph (1)13. <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016; Nov. 28, 2017; Mar. 31, 2020>

(3) Except as otherwise provided in relevant Acts, notwithstanding paragraph (1), this Act shall apply to the control of chemical substances and response to chemical accidents under the provisions of paragraph (1)2 through 15. <Amended on May 18, 2021; Feb. 6, 2024>

Article 4(Duties of the State and local governments) #

(1) The State and local governments shall at all times have good knowledge of the effect of hazard and risk of chemical substances on people's health and the environment, and formulate and implement measures necessary to prevent risks posed by chemical substances to people's health and the environment.

(2) The State and local governments shall devise plans for the measurement of pollution levels, investigation and research, technological development, training of professionals, education and public relations for managing chemical substances, and provide administrative, technical, and financial support necessary for safely managing chemical substances. <Amended on Jan. 27, 2016>

(3) The State may contribute or subsidize all or part of costs incurred by persons who perform any of the following projects in order to promote technological development related to the safety management of chemical substances, and train professionals for each field:

1. Technology for measuring and analyzing pollution levels of chemical substances;

2. Technology for safely managing chemical handling facilities;

3. Technology for investigating and analyzing the impact of chemical substances;

4. Technology for minimizing and eliminating damage caused by chemical substances, and recovering from such damage.

(4) For safely managing chemical substances of small and medium enterprises, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may formulate and implement measures to provide administrative, technical, and financial support for the following matters, following consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies: <Added on Jan. 27, 2016; Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Preparing a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents under Article 23;

2. Installing, conducting safety inspection of, and improving hazardous chemical substance handling facilities under Articles 24 and 25;

3. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree for safely managing chemical substances of small and medium enterprises.

Article 6(Master plans for control of chemical substances) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall formulate a master plan for the control of chemical substances (hereinafter referred to as "master plan") every five years for the efficient control of chemical substances that present hazard or risk. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment formulates a master plan, he or she shall consult with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies in advance and go through deliberations by the chemical substances Control Committee under Article 7; provided, the foregoing shall also apply to cases where he or she intends to modify the master plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) A master plan shall contain the following:

1. Objectives of a policy for the control of chemical substances and strategies to achieve them;

2. Major measures to be pursued and an implementation plan for the control of chemical substances;

3. Current status of the control of chemical substances and future prospects;

4. Measures to raise funds to cover expenses incurred in conducting various projects for the control of chemical substances;

5. Plans for cooperation with organizations, international organizations, etc. related to the control of chemical substances;

6. Training and education in preparation for chemical accidents;

7. Roles of each agency and cooperation system concerning response to chemical accidents and subsequent measures;

8. Methods of mobilizing resources, human resources, equipment, etc. necessary to respond to chemical accidents and take subsequent measures;

9. Other matters necessary to control chemical substances and respond to chemical accidents.

(4) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment formulates a master plan, he or she shall notify the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and local government of the details thereof without delay. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The heads of relevant central administrative agencies and local government shall formulate and implement policies and measures within their authority in accordance with the master plan.

Article 7(Chemical Substances Control Committee) #

(1) The Chemical Substances Control Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Control Committee") shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to deliberate on important matters relating to the control of chemical substances, such as the formulation of a master plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Control Committee shall be comprised of not more than 30 members including one chairperson and one vice chairperson.

(3) The chairperson of the Control Committee shall be designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment from among public officials belonging to the Senior Executive Service of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in charge of affairs concerning the control of chemical substances, and the vice chairperson shall be appointed or commissioned by the chairperson from among its members. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The members of the Control Committee shall be appointed or commissioned by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment from among experts who have extensive knowledge and experience in related fields, such as chemistry, environment, and health, representatives of the industry related to chemical substances and public officials in charge of affairs in the relevant fields. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Meetings of the Control Committee shall be convoked with a majority of incumbent members present and resolutions shall be passed upon the affirmative vote of a majority of those present.

(6) Where professional research and review is necessary in regard of matters to be deliberated by the Control Committee, the Control Committee may establish expert committees for each field which are comprised of members of the Control Committee and experts in the relevant fields.

(7) Other matters necessary for the organization, operation, etc. of the Control Committee and expert committees for each field shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 9(Verification of chemical substances) #

(1) A person who intends to manufacture or import a chemical (where a person entrusts the import of a chemical to an import agent, referring to the import agent; hereinafter the same shall apply) shall verify whether the relevant chemical substances or any ingredient thereof falls under any of the following, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (hereinafter referred to as "verification of chemical substances") and submit the details thereof to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment: <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Existing chemical substances under subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Act on Registration, Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances;

2. Phase-in substances under subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Act on Registration, Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances;

3. Substances acutely hazardous to human health;

3-2. Substances chronically hazardous to human health;

3-3. Substances hazardous to the environment;

4. Substances subject to permission;

5. Restricted substances;

6. Prohibited substances;

7. Substances requiring preparation for accidents.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the provision of paragraph (1) shall not apply to chemical substances that meet the standards prescribed and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as cases where chemical substances contained in a product that performs a certain function in a solid state are not released during use of the product. <Amended on May 26, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where a person who intends to manufacture or import chemical substances pursuant to paragraph (1) deems it necessary to verify the chemical substances, he or she may request the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to certify whether the relevant chemical substances or any ingredient thereof falls under any of the subparagraphs of paragraph (1), along with data prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 10(Statistical surveys on chemical substances and establishment and operation of information system) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall conduct statistical surveys on the current status of handling related to the handling of chemical substances, handling facilities, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "statistical surveys on chemical substances") every two years. In such cases, the relevant provisions of Statistics Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to collecting and preparing statistics. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall conduct offsite or onsite surveys, or establish and operate an information system for the efficient establishment and implementation of statistical surveys on chemical substances. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where necessary for statistical surveys on chemical substances and the establishment and operation of an information system under paragraph (2), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, local government, public institutions (referring to public institutions under Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions), relevant institutions, organizations, etc. to provide necessary data and information. In such cases, a person requested to provide data and information shall comply with the request unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may require persons who handle chemical substances to submit data necessary for statistical surveys on chemical substances, or require relevant public officials to have access to the relevant place of business, etc. and inspect the current status related to chemical substances. In such cases, any public official who has access to the place of business and conducts inspection on the current status shall carry a certification indicating his or her authority and show it to interested persons. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Matters necessary for chemical substances subject to, details, methods of, and procedures for statistical surveys of chemical substances shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 11(Pollutant release and transfer registers) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall implement surveys for the pollutant release and transfer registers to track chemical releases from the process of handling the relevant chemical substances at the places of business which handle chemical substances prescribed by Presidential Decree (hereinafter referred to as "pollutant release and transfer registers") in order to protect people's health and the environment from chemical releases and encourage the places of business to voluntarily reduce them. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment implements surveys for the pollutant release and transfer registers, he or she may require persons who handle chemical substances to submit necessary data or require relevant public officials to enter the relevant places of business and investigate the volume of the relevant chemical releases. <Amended on May 26, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to implement surveys for the pollutant release and transfer registers, he or she may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, local governments, public institutions (referring to public institutions under Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions), relevant institutions, organizations, etc. to submit the results of surveys conducted by each agency or institution and necessary data. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Any public official who enter the place of business and collect data for the pollutant release and transfer registers pursuant to paragraph (2) shall carry a certification indicating his or her authority and show it to interested persons.

(5) Matters necessary for subjects, details, methods and procedures necessary to conduct surveys for the pollutant release and transfer registers shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 11-2(Preparation and submission of chemical release reduction plan) #

(1) A place of business prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as those releasing highly hazardous chemical substances in excess of a predetermined amount per year, among the places of business subject to pollutant release and transfer registers referred to in Article 11(1), shall prepare a chemical release reduction plan (hereinafter referred to as "release reduction plans") every 5 years and submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Upon receiving a release reduction plan, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review it and notify the relevant submitter as to whether it is appropriate, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) After reviewing the submitted release reduction plan, where it is necessary, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request that the submitter amend or supplement the plan. In such cases, the submitter shall comply with such request for amendment or supplementation, except in any extenuating circumstance. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Among the persons who have prepared and submitted a release reduction plan, any person who intends to protect a part of the plan as a corporate trade secret may request non-disclosure thereof.

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall provide the submitted release reduction plan to the head of a local government having jurisdiction over the location of the relevant business place, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; the head of the local government may disclose such release reduction plan, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; provided, in cases of receiving a request for non-disclosure referred to in paragraph (4), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall provide the release reduction plan excluding the relevant part if he or she deems it necessary not to disclose such part for being related to the trade secrets of the corporation. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the head of a local government may order a person who has prepared and submitted the release reduction plan to submit necessary data or require a relevant public official to visit the relevant place of business to inspect its current status related to release reduction. In such cases, the public official who visits and inspects the place of business shall carry a certificate indicating his or her authority and present it to the relevant persons. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and the head of the local government having jurisdiction over the location of the place of business may provide technical, administrative and financial support for the implementation of its release reduction plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(8) The contents and timing of submission of a release reduction plan; the scope and procedures for applying for protection of trade secrets in relation to the disclosure of a release reduction plan; the standards and procedures for deliberating on trade secrets, etc. shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Nov. 28, 2017]

Article 12(Disclosure of results of surveys of chemical substances and information) #

(1) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment completes statistical surveys on chemical substances and surveys for the pollutant release and transfer registers, he or she shall disclose, without delay, the results thereof for each place of business; provided, the foregoing shall not apply where the result thereof fall under any of the following: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the disclosure of the results of such survey is deemed to cause serious interference with national security, maintenance of order, or public welfare;

2. Where the results of such survey are deemed to cause confusion in the use thereof due to low reliability;

3. Where it is deemed necessary not to disclose some of the results of such survey because it is related to trade secrets of businesses.

(2) Where a person who handles chemical substances violates any provision of this Act or fails to comply with an order issued by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may disclose the name, address and occupation of the person who handles the relevant chemical substances, information about the volume of chemical substances handled and handling facilities, a violation of any other statutes, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "information about the handling of chemical substances"); provided, the foregoing shall not apply where such grounds as prescribed by Presidential Decree exist, including where an administrative appeal or administrative lawsuit is pending in relation to the violation. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where a person subject to disclosure of information prescribed in paragraph (1) or (2) wishes not to disclose the results of a survey referred to in paragraph (1) or information about the handling of chemical substances referred to in paragraph (2), he or she may request that the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment deliberate on whether the relevant information needs to disclosed, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, it shall be deemed that a request for protection of data prescribed in the main clause of Article 52(1) has been made. <Added on Nov. 28, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Deliberative Committee on Disclosure of Information on chemical substances shall be established in the Control Committee in order to deliberate on whether to disclose information on the handling of chemical substances under paragraphs (1) and (3). <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017>

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall give persons subject to disclosure of information on the handling of chemical substances following deliberations by the Deliberative Committee on Disclosure of Information on chemical substances opportunities to make explanations by giving notice to them in writing. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) Disclosure under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made by posting the relevant information on the Official Gazette or website. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017>

(7) Matters necessary for criteria relating to disclosure of the results of surveys and information, procedures for disclosure, the organization and operation of the Deliberative Committee on Disclosure of Information on chemical substances under paragraphs (1) through (5) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 13(Criteria for handling hazardous chemical substances) #

Where a person handles hazardous chemical substances, he or she shall meet each of the following criteria for handling hazardous chemical substances: <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; May 26, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. He or she shall appropriately maintain and manage hazardous chemical substance handling facility to assure its proper performance;

2. He or she shall devise preventive measures to avoid an accident in the process of handling hazardous chemical substances, and have emergency services equipment and medicines ready so that emergency measures can be taken if a chemical accident occurs;

3. In cases of keeping or storing a hazardous chemical, he or she shall not keep or store it mixed with other types of hazardous chemical substances;

3-2. He or she shall manage containers containing hazardous chemical substances to ensure that such containers can continue to perform their original functions;

4. In cases of loading or unloading hazardous chemical substances into or from a vehicle or moving hazardous chemical substances to another hazardous chemical handling facility, he or she shall have a hazardous chemical substances supervisor under Article 32 or a person who is designated by the representative of a place of business that installs and operates a hazardous chemical substance handling facility and has received safety education on hazardous chemical substances under Article 33(1) engage in such activity, in addition to the relevant person who transports or works with the hazardous chemical substances;

5. A person who transports hazardous chemical substances shall be hazardous chemical substances supervisor under Article 32 or a person who has received safety education on hazardous chemical substances under Article 33(1);

6. Other matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment as deemed necessary for the safety management of hazardous chemical substances, which are corresponding to the provisions under subparagraphs 1 through 5.

Article 16(Labeling of hazardous chemical substances) #

(1) A person who handles hazardous chemical substances shall affix a label about the hazardous chemical substances, which includes each of the matters stipulated by the following paragraphs, on the container or package of the relevant hazardous chemical substances: The foregoing shall also apply where he or she intends to sell a manufactured or imported hazardous chemical substances by dividing it into small quantities:

1. Name: Information on the name of the hazardous chemical substances or the name of a product;

2. Pictogram: A picture that depicts the details of hazard;

3. Signal word: A word or phrase depicting a danger or warning depending on the degree of hazard;

4. Words or phrases of hazard or danger: A word or phrase informing hazard;

5. Word or phrase of preventive measures: A word or phrase depicting measures to be taken to prevent or minimize hazard arising from inappropriate storage or handling;

6. Supplier information: Information on the name (in cases of a corporation, referring to its corporate name), telephone number, domicile, etc. of a manufacturer or supplier;

7. Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of chemical substances developed by the United Nations: chemical substances classification numbers designated by the United Nations as an international approach to enable safe transport of hazardous chemical substances and products.

(2) A person who handles hazardous chemical substances shall affix a label indicating the hazardous chemical substances under paragraph (1) to a facility and site where he or she handles the hazardous chemical substances, a place where he or she keeps, stores, or displays the hazardous chemical substances, and motor vehicles transporting the hazardous chemical substances.

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment deems it necessary for the safety management of chemical substances other than hazardous chemical substances, he or she may recommend a person who handles such chemical substances affix an appropriate label to each chemical substances. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Matters necessary for hazardous chemical substances subject to the labeling requirements, indication methods, etc. shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 18(Prohibition on handling of prohibited substances and restriction on handling of restricted substances) #

(1) No person shall handle prohibited substances; provided, the foregoing shall not apply where a person who intends to manufacture or import prohibited substances for the purpose of exporting the entire quantity of such substances to a foreign country or intends to manufacture, import, or sell reagents intended for use in experiments, research, or testing which fall under the category of prohibited substances, for their intended purposes obtains permission therefor from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) No person shall handle restricted substances for any restricted purpose; provided, the foregoing shall not apply where a person who intends to manufacture or import restricted substances for the purpose of exporting the entire quantity of such substances to a foreign country obtains permission therefor from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Jun. 12, 2018; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where a person who has obtained permission under the proviso of paragraph (1) or (2) intends to modify any permitted matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, he or she shall obtain permission for modification or file a report on modification, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment grants permission pursuant to the proviso of paragraph (1) or (2), he or she may attach thereto conditions necessary for the appropriate control of the relevant prohibited substances or restricted substances, such as submission of a plan for preventive measures against chemical accidents. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) A person who intends to manufacture, import, sell, keep, store, or use restricted substances for any unrestricted purpose shall file a report thereon with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; provided, the foregoing shall not apply to cases prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as where he or she intends to manufacture, import, sell, keep, store, or use reagents intended for use in experiments, research, or testing which fall under the category of restricted substances, for their intended purposes. <Added on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) Where a person who has filed a report under paragraph (5) intends to modify any reported matters which are prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, he or she shall file a report on modification as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Jun. 12, 2018]

Article 19(Permission to manufacture, import, or use substances subject to permission) #

(1) A person who intends to manufacture, import, or use substances subject to permission shall obtain permission from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in advance by submitting the following information; provided, the foregoing shall not apply within permission grace period under Article 25 of the Act on Registration, Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Name, location, and representative of a person who intends to manufacture, import or use the substances subject to permission;

2. Information to identify the chemical substances, such as the name, molecular and structural formulas of the chemical substances;

3. Purposes of the chemical substances;

4. Risk of the chemical substances;

5. Analysis of an alternative to the substances subject to permission and the feasibility thereof;

6. Plan for replacement of the substances subject to permission.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any of the following chemical substances: <Amended on May 26, 2020>

1. Imported chemical substances contained in machinery;

2. Chemical substances imported with machinery or equipment for a test run;

3. Chemical substances contained in a product that performs certain functions in a specific solid form, which are not released during use of the product;

4. Chemical substances manufactured or imported for survey or research purposes, or any other chemical substances prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(3) A person who intends to obtain a permission pursuant to paragraph (1) shall submit an application therefor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; provided, persons who intend to manufacture, import, or use the same substances subject to permission may jointly apply for a permission, only when the substances subject to permission have the same purpose. <Amended on May 26, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review information submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) within a period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment from the date of the receipt of the application submitted under paragraph (3), determine whether to grant permission in accordance with the following requirements, and notify the applicant of his or her determination: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the risk to human health and the environment may be appropriately controlled;

2. Where socioeconomic benefits obtained from the use of the substances subject to permission exceed the risk to human health and the environment;

3. Where no appropriate chemical substances or technology that can substitute the substances subject to permission exists.

(5) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment notifies permission pursuant to paragraph (4), he or she shall impose conditions, such as the permission number, purposes of the substances subject to permission, and the limit on the period of manufacturing, importing, or using the substances subject to permission. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) A person allowed to manufacture, import or use substances subject to permission for a limited period under paragraph (5) shall renew his or her permit within such period, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, paragraphs (4) and (5) shall apply mutatis mutandis to determination on whether to grant permission, notification, etc. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a person prescribed by Presidential Decree, including a person who intends to manufacture or import substances subject to permission for the purpose of exporting the entire quantity of such substances to a foreign country, shall file a report thereon with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(8) Where a person intends to modify any matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment among matters permitted pursuant to paragraph (6) or reported pursuant to paragraph (7), he or she shall obtain permission for modification or file a report on modification, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(9) Where a person who has obtained a permission falls under any of the following, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke his or her permit; provided, where the person falls under subparagraph 1, he or she shall revoke his or her permission: <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the person has obtained permission under paragraph (1) by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where the person who has obtained permission pursuant to paragraph (1) fails to comply with the conditions under paragraph (5).

(10) Matters necessary for the details of the information under paragraph (1), determination on whether to grant a permission, notification, etc. under paragraph (4) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 23(Preparation and submission of plans for prevention and management of chemical accidents) #

(1) A person who intends to install and operate hazardous chemical substance handling facilities shall prepare in advance a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents to assess the effects of a chemical accident on the people, environment, etc. around the place of business and to minimize the damage caused by such chemical accident (hereinafter referred to as "plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents") and submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment; provided, the foregoing shall not apply to a person who intends to install and operate any of the following hazardous chemical substance handling facilities: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Laboratories under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment of Safe Laboratory Environment;

2. Schools under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Prevention of and Compensation for Accidents at School.

3. Hazardous chemical substance handling facilities meeting the standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, which have little effect on the people or environment around the place of business if any chemical accident occurs or which require less need to prepare a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents in consideration of the types, amounts, etc. of hazardous chemical substances.

(2) The details to be included in a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, taking into account the following; in such cases, the details may be otherwise prescribed in consideration of the hazards, amounts, etc. of the hazardous chemical substances to be handled: <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. List of and hazard information on the hazardous chemical substances to be handled;

2. Degree of effects on human health or the neighboring environment, where hazardous chemical substances flow out or leak into the area around the place of business due to the occurrence of a chemical accident;

3. List of hazardous chemical substance handling facilities and the current status of facilities and equipment for disaster prevention;

4. Matters concerning process safety information on hazardous chemical substance handling facilities, data on process hazard analysis, procedures for process operation, operation supervisors, the current status of workers, and matters requiring attention;

5. Plans for education, training, and self-inspection in case of a chemical accident;

6. An organization in charge of safety management, such as an emergency communication system and a person who has the authority to stop operation in case of a chemical accident;

7. Outflow or leakage scenarios and plans for emergency measures in case of a chemical accident;

8. Verification of residents, structures, crops, environmental media, etc. within the zone that could be affected in case of a chemical accident;

9. Plans for dispersing residents in case of a chemical accident;

10. Action plans for minimizing, eliminating, and recovering from damage caused by a chemical accident;

11. Other matters concerning the safety management of hazardous chemical substances.

(3) Where a person who has submitted a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents under paragraph (1) falls under any of the following cases, he or she shall submit a revised plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the amounts of hazardous chemical substances handled or the capacities of handling facilities increase or any hazardous chemical substance handling facility is newly installed;

2. Where any significant matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is changed, such as the items, concentrations, and properties of hazardous chemical substances or the locations of handling facilities;

3. Where the head of the local government having jurisdiction over the location of the place of business requests the supplementation of a plan for dispersing residents under paragraph (2)9 and the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment recognizes the need for such supplementation to notify the person who has submitted such plan of submission of a revised plan.

(4) A person who installs and operates hazardous chemical substance handling facilities that meet or exceed the standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in consideration of the hazards of the hazardous chemical substances that he or she handles, the amounts thereof, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "major handling facilities") shall, every five years, prepare a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents and submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents submitted under paragraph (1), (3), or (4) (including a revised plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents), as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and shall notify the person who has submitted such plan of the risk that the relevant hazardous chemical substance handling facilities pose and of whether the facilities are adequate. In such cases, a person notified that hazardous chemical substance handling facilities are adequate shall keep a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents in the place of business. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) When the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment determines whether hazardous chemical substance handling facilities are adequate under paragraph (5), he or she may conduct an on-site investigation into facilities prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in consideration of the accident risk of such handling facilities, etc. In such cases, a person who has submitted a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents with regard to hazardous chemical substance handling facilities shall faithfully cooperate in an on-site investigation. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment reviews a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents under paragraphs (5) and (6) and finds it necessary to amend and supplement such plan, he or she may request a person who has submitted the plan to amend or supplement it. In such cases, the person in receipt of such request shall submit a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents that is amended or supplemented, except in any extenuating circumstance. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(8) Where deemed necessary for review under paragraph (5), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the head of the relevant local government to conduct consultations. In such cases, the head of the local government in receipt of a request for consultations shall review a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents and notify his or her opinion on the review of such plan to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(9) Matters necessary for the details and methods of preparing plans for the prevention and management of chemical accidents, the timing and methods of submitting such plans, on-site investigations, etc. shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 31, 2020]

Article 23-3(Notification of plans for prevention and management of chemical accidents to local communities) #

(1) A person who intends to install and operate major handling facilities and is notified that such facilities are adequate pursuant to Article 23(5) shall clearly specify the following information and give notification of such information to the local residents in the vicinity of the place of business. In such cases, notification shall be given at least once every year using any method prescribed in paragraph (2), and where any of the notified matters is changed, notification of such changed matter shall be given within one month from the date the reason for such change occurs:

1. Hazard information on, and chemical accident risk of, hazardous chemical substances that he or she handles;

2. Range of the impact on air, water quality, groundwater, soil, the natural environment, etc., if a chemical accident occurs;

3. Instructions on actions, such as methods of transmitting early warning and evacuation of residents, if a chemical accident occurs.

(2) Notification under paragraph (1) shall be given by registering information specified in the subparagraphs of the same paragraph in the comprehensive chemical information system under Article 48(1). In such cases, at least one of such methods as written notice, individual explanations, collective communications shall be used with such registration.

(3) The head of a local government may provide necessary support so that the notification under paragraph (1) can be given in a smooth manner.

(4) A person required to give notification to local residents under paragraph (1) shall individually notify local residents of the information specified in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1), in addition to giving notification under paragraph (2), where they make any request therefor.

(5) Matters necessary for giving notification of a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents to local communities under paragraphs (1) through (4) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 31, 2020]

Article 24(Criteria for layout, installation, and management of handling facilities) #

(1) Hazardous chemical substance handling facility shall be installed and operated in accordance with the standards for arrangement, installation and management, etc. as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A person who completes installation of hazardous chemical substance handling facility shall undergo an inspection of installation by an inspection agency prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and such agency conducting the inspection shall submit the results thereof to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment without delay, upon completing the inspection. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) A person who installs and operates a hazardous chemical substance handling facilities shall have each handling facility undergo regular or occasional inspections by an inspection agency under paragraph (2) in each period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and such agency conducting the inspections shall submit the results thereof to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment without delay upon completing the inspections; provided, where such facilities are determined appropriate as a result of a safety inspection under paragraph (5), a regular inspection may be exempted for a period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Notwithstanding the main clause of paragraphs (2) and (3), a person who installs and operates any of the following hazardous chemical substance handling facilities shall be exempted from the following relevant inspections: <Added on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Laboratories under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment of Safe Laboratory Environment (excluding any laboratory with facilities for test production prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment): Inspections of installation as well as regular and occasional inspections;

2. Schools specified in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Prevention of and Compensation for Accidents at School: Inspections of installation as well as regular and occasional inspections;

3. Handling facilities that handle hazardous chemicals classified only as substance chronically hazardous to human health: Regular inspections;

4. Handling facilities that handle hazardous chemicals below the standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, taking into account their hazards and quantity handled, etc.: Inspections of installation and regular inspections;

5. Other handling facilities determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as handling facilities for which hazardous chemical substances are embedded into machinery and therefore do not pose any danger of spillage, leakage, etc.: Inspections of installation as well as regular and occasional inspections.

(5) Where a person who has completed the installation of hazardous chemical substance handling facility or who installs and operates such facility falls under any of the following, he or she shall have the facility undergo a safety inspection to verify the safety conditions of the facility at an inspection agency under paragraph (2) and such agency conducting the inspection shall submit to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment a safety inspection report without delay upon completing the inspection: <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; May 26, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where safety risk is deemed to exist due to subsidence, cracks, corrosion, etc. of the structure or equipment of the hazardous chemical substance handling facility according to the result of inspection under paragraph (2) or (3);

2. Where the period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment for each hazardous chemical substance handling facility (excluding facilities prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as handling facilities specified in the subparagraphs of paragraph (4)) has elapsed since installation of the relevant facility.

(6) No hazardous chemical substance handling facility determined inappropriate according to an inspection under paragraphs (2) and (3) or safety inspection under paragraph (5) shall be used; provided, the foregoing shall not apply in any of the following cases: <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024>

1. Where the facility is used for inspection or safety inspection;

2. Where the facility is used while an improvement order issued under Article 25(1) is complied with.

(7) Matters necessary for procedures and standards for inspection and standards for management of inspection agencies under paragraphs (2) and (3), and detailed methods, etc. of safety inspection under paragraph (5) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 28(Permission for hazardous chemical substance business) #

(1) A person prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as a person required to submit a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents pursuant to Article 23(1), among perons who intend to conduct hazardous chemical substance business, shall in advance submit an application for permission for each place of business including the following documents, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment: <Amended on May 29, 2016; Mar. 31, 2020; May 18, 2021; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. A plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents found to be in conformity with relevant standards and notified as such in regard of the installation and operation of the hazardous chemical substance handling facility pursuant to Article 23(5);

2. An inspection report found to be appropriate in regard of a hazardous chemical substance handling facility pursuant to Article 24(6);

3. Deleted. <Mar. 31, 2020>

(2) A person who has submitted an application for permission under paragraph (1) shall obtain permission from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment for each place of business based on the classification of business specified in the subparagraphs of Article 27 after being equipped with handling facilities, equipment, and technical human resources for each hazardous chemical substance in conformity with the standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on May 18, 2021; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) A person who has submitted an application for permission under paragraph (1) shall obtain permission from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment within a period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, the Minister may attach conditions necessary for appropriately managing the handling of the relevant hazardous chemical substances. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where a person who intends to conduct hazardous chemical substance business files an application for permission after having submitted an application for permission under paragraph (1) and meeting requirements for handling facilities, equipment, technical human resources, etc. under paragraph (2), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall grant permission without delay; provided, the foregoing shall not apply to a modification to important matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Where a person who has obtained permission for hazardous chemical substance business under paragraph (4) intends to make any changes in important matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment among permitted matters, he or she shall obtain permission for modification, and where he or she intends to make any changes in other matters, he or she shall report any changes to be made. In such cases, procedures to obtain permission for modification or to file a report on modification shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) A person prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment who intends to conduct hazardous chemical substance business, other than a person required to submit an application for permission pursuant to paragraph (1), shall file a report thereon with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment for each place of business, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, where the person intends to modify any reported matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, he or she shall file a report on modification, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) Upon receipt of a report on modification under the former part of paragraph (5), a report on business under the former part of paragraph (6), or a report on modification under the latter part of that paragraph, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review the details of such report and accept it if it conforms to this Act. <Added on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(8) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment grants permission (including permission for modification) or accepts a report (including a report on modification) as prescribed in this Article, he or she shall notify such fact to the head of the fire agency having jurisdiction over the location of hazardous chemical substance handling facility, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(9) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall provide the status of the installation of hazardous chemical substance handling facilities to agencies legally required to respond to chemical accidents, such as fire agencies and local governments, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Feb. 6, 2024]

Article 31(Reporting on awarding of contracts for handling hazardous chemical substances) #

(1) Where a person who conducts hazardous chemical substance business (hereinafter referred to as "hazardous chemical substance business operator") after obtaining permission for business or filing a report on business pursuant to Article 28 or 29-3, awards a contract (including a subcontract; hereinafter the same shall apply) for the handling of the relevant hazardous chemical substances, he or she shall report to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment the matters concerning the name of the relevant contractor (including a subcontractor; hereinafter the same shall apply), grounds for awarding a contract, a plan for awarding a contract, a plan for safety management of chemical accidents, etc., as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The foregoing shall also apply where any modification is made in significant matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment among the reported matters. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Upon receipt of a report or a report on modification under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review the details of such report and accept it if it conforms to this Act. <Added on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where a contractor who has been awarded a contract for the handling of hazardous chemical substances pursuant to paragraph (1) violates this Act in relation to the work awarded, his or her violation of this Act shall also affect the contractee; provided, the foregoing shall not apply where Chapter Vii Penalty Provisions (Articles 57 through 64) are applied. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; May 26, 2020>

(4) A person who intends to award a contract for the handling of the relevant hazardous chemical substances shall do so only to a person who has such ability and meets such standards as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The contractee who awards a contract for the handling of hazardous chemical substances shall be obliged to control and oversee the relevant contractor, and shall not require the contractor to engage in activities prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as the unreasonable operation of a handling facility. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 32(Hazardous chemical substance supervisors) #

(1) A hazardous chemical substance business operator shall appoint a hazardous chemical substances supervisor in accordance with standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as the quantity of hazardous chemical substances handled by the relevant business operator and the number of his or her employees, before the commencement of his or her business so that the hazardous chemical substance supervisor may perform duties of securing the safety of hazardous chemical substance handling facilities and averting risk posed by hazardous chemical substances. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where a hazardous chemical substance business operator entrusts a person specialized in the management of hazardous chemical substance handling facilities with the management thereof, the person entrusted with the management of hazardous chemical substance handling facilities (hereinafter referred to as "trustee") shall appoint a hazardous chemical substance supervisor under paragraph (1).

(3) A person who has appointed a hazardous chemical substance supervisor pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) shall report the appointment to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment without delay; and where the appointed supervisor is dismissed or retires from office, a new supervisor shall be appointed within 30 days from the date of dismissal or retirement (where it is impracticable to appoint a new supervisor within 30 days, the period may be extended by up to 30 days after obtaining approval from the minister of environment). In such cases, a person who has obtained permission for hazardous chemical substance business pursuant to Article 28(4) shall report the appointment, dismissal, or retirement of a hazardous chemical substance supervisor to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment without delay. <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where a hazardous chemical substances supervisor cannot temporarily perform any of his or her duties due to his or her travel, illness or other reasons, a person who has appointed the hazardous chemical substance supervisor pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) shall designate an agent to act on his or her behalf.

(5) A hazardous chemical substances supervisor shall provide information on the safety management of hazardous chemical substances to persons working for the relevant hazardous chemical substance handling facilities, and direct and supervise the trustee and persons working for the hazardous chemical handling facilities lest they should violate this Act or any order under this Act.

(6) A hazardous chemical substances business operator, a trustee and his or her employees shall respect the opinion of hazardous chemical substances supervisor on the safety and comply with his or her recommendation.

(7) Types, qualification, the number, the scope of duties of hazardous chemical substance supervisors, the period of acting as an agent for a hazardous chemical substance supervisor, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 34(Suspension of handling of hazardous chemical substances, suspension of business, and closure of business) #

(1) A hazardous chemical substance business operator shall take such measures as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment before suspending the handling of hazardous chemical substances in his or her place of business or changing the handling methods; provided, in the case of closure of business, he or she shall dispose of hazardous chemical substances remaining in his or her place of business in advance of such closure. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where a hazardous chemical substance business operator intends to close or suspend his or her business or does not operate hazardous chemical substance handling facilities for not less than the period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, he or she shall dispose of remaining hazardous chemical substances under paragraph (1) and report to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment deems that hazardous chemical substances are likely to harm human health or the environment after reviewing the content of the report on the closure of business or the suspension of business under paragraph (2), he or she may order the relevant hazardous chemical substance business operator to take measures necessary to avert the risk caused by the relevant hazardous chemical substances before the closure of business or the suspension of business. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) It necessary to verify the current status of the suspension or closure of business of a hazardous chemical substance business operator, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the head of the competent tax office to provide taxation information on the suspension or closure of business, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. Upon receipt of such request, the head of the tax office shall comply therewith unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Added on May 18, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 34-2(Improvement order on hazardous chemical business substance operators) #

(1) Where a hazardous chemical substance business operator falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may order such operator to make an improvement for a fixed period: <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; May 18, 2021; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where he or she fails to submit data necessary for statistical surveys on chemical substances pursuant to Article 10(4) or for surveys on the volume of the chemical releases pursuant to Article 11(2);

2. Where he or she violates the criteria for handling hazardous chemical substances prescribed in subparagraph 2 of Article 13;

3. Where he or she fails to wear personal protective gear, in violation of Article 14(1);

4. Where he or she displays or stores hazardous chemical substances without a keeping or storage facility, in violation of Article 15(2);

5. Where he or she fails to affix a label indicating hazardous chemical substances as prescribed in Article 16(1) and (2);

5-2. Where he or she fails to give notification of a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents, in violation of Article 23-3;

6. Where he or she fails to inspect a hazardous chemical substance handling facility, equipment, etc. or to record and keep the results thereof for five years, in violation of Article 26(1);

7. Where he or she conducts business outside the scope of classification and details of business specified in the subparagraphs of Article 27;

8. Where he or she fails to obtain permission for modification pursuant to the former part of Article 28(5);

8-2. Where he or she fails to file a report on business or on modification pursuant to Article 28(6);

9. Where he or she fails to appoint a hazardous chemical substance supervisor pursuant to Article 32(1) or (2);

10. Where he or she fails to observe standards for control of substances requiring preparation for accidents, in violation of Article 40;

11. Where he or she fails to make a report or submit data referred to in Article 49(1);

12. Where he or she fails to record or keep matters related to the handling of hazardous chemical substances under Article 50(1).

(2) Detailed criteria for issuing an order to improve under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, taking into consideration the frequency of violations, degree of effects on human health or the environment, intention or negligence of a hazardous chemical substance business operator, etc. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jan. 27, 2016]

Article 35(Revocation of permission to conduct hazardous chemical substance business) #

(1) Where a hazardous chemical substance business operator falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall revoke his or her permission (referring to revocation of the acceptance of a report, where such operator is required to file a report on business): <Amended on Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where he or she handles prohibited substances, in violation of Article 18;

2. Where he or she is deemed unable to continue his or her business because approval, permission, etc. related to hazardous chemical substance business under the subparagraphs of Article 27 has been revoked pursuant to other statutes;

3. Where he or she obtains permission for business under Article 28 by fraud or other improper means;

4. Where a person who has obtained permission for hazardous chemical substance business fails to comply with any of the necessary conditions imposed pursuant to the latter part of Article 28(3);

5. Where he or she falls under any subparagraph of Article 30; provided, where any of the executive officers of the corporation falls under any of subparagraphs 1 through 3 of Article 30, the foregoing shall not apply if such executive officer is replaced by a newly appointed executive officer within six months;

6. Where he or she is ordered to suspend his or her business at least three times within two years.

(2) Where a hazardous chemical substance business operator falls under any of the following cases (In cases of receiving an improvement order pursuant to Article 34-2(1), referring to any of the following cases where such order fails to be complied within the relevant period or is deemed to be impracticable to be complied with), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke his or her permission for business ((referring to revocation of the acceptance of a report, where such operator is required to file a report on business) or order him or her to suspend all or part of his or her business for a fixed period of up to six months: <Amended on Jan. 27, 2016; Nov. 28, 2017; Mar. 31, 2020; May 18, 2021; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where he or she lends his or her name or permit to another person to operate the relevant business or to be used by him or her;

2. Where he or she fails to submit information necessary for statistical surveys of chemical substances under Article 10(4) or surveys for the pollutant release and transfer registers under Article 11(2);

3. Where he or she fails to comply with the standards for handling hazardous chemical substances, in violation of Article 13;

4. Where he or she fails to wear personal protective gear, in violation of Article 14(1);

5. Where he or she displays or keeps hazardous chemical substances in excess of the volume of hazardous chemical substances to be handled, in violation of Article 15(1), or displays or keeps hazardous chemical substances without a keeping or storage facility, in violation of Article 15(2);

6. Where he or she transports hazardous chemical substances without submitting a transport plan, in violation of Article 15(3);

7. Where he or she fails to label hazardous chemical substances under Article 16(1) and (2);

8. Where he or she fails to comply with an order to suspend the handling of hazardous chemical substances under Article 17(1), thereby causing the chemical substances to present a risk to human health or the environment;

8-2. Where he or she fails to implement a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents, in violation of Article 23-2(1);

8-3. Where he or she fails to give notification of a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents, in violation of Article 23-3;

9. Where he or she installs and operates a handling facility without undergoing an inspection of hazardous chemical substance handling facility under Article 24(3) or safety inspection of such handling facility under Article 24(5);

10. Where he or she installs and operates a handling facility without being determined appropriate pursuant to Article 24(6);

11. Where he or she fails to comply with an order to improve under Article 25 or 34-2;

12. Where he or she fails to inspect a handling facility, equipment, etc. or record or keep the result thereof for five years, in violation of Article 26(1);

13. Where he or she conducts business outside the scope of classification and details of business specified in the subparagraphs of Article 27;

14. Where he or she fails to commence business within two years after he or she obtains permission for business under Article 28(4) or suspends his or her business for at least two consecutive years without just grounds;

15. Where he or she fails to obtain permission for modification under the former part of Article 28(5);

15-2. Where he or she fails to file a report on business or on modification pursuant to Article 28(6) or files a false report;

16. Where he or she fails to report the awarding of a contract for the handling of hazardous chemical substances or to report modifications, in violation of Article 31(1);

17. Where he or she awards a contract to a person who lacks ability and fails to meet standards, in violation of Article 31(4);

18. Where he or she requires the unreasonable operation, etc. of a handling facility, in violation of Article 31(5);

19. Where he or she fails to appoint a hazardous chemical substance supervisor pursuant to Article 32;

20. Where he or she fails to comply with the standards for control of substances requiring preparation for accidents, in violation of Article 40;

21. Deleted; <Mar. 31, 2020>

22. Deleted; <Mar. 31, 2020>

23. Where he or she fails to make an immediate report, in violation of Article 43(2);

24. Where he or she fails to make a report under Article 49(1) or makes a false report, and he or she fails to submit information or submits false information;

25. Where he or she fails to record or keep matters related to the handling of hazardous chemical substances under Article 50(1);

26. Where professional or gross negligence causes a chemical accident that results in death or bodily injury or that adversely affects property or the environment under the standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

(3) Matters necessary for criteria for administrative disposition under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, in consideration of the frequency of violations, the degree, etc. of effects on human health or the environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 36(Disposition of penalty surcharges imposed in lieu of suspension of business) #

(1) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall order a hazardous chemical substance business operator to suspend his or her business pursuant to Article 35(2), he or she may impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding 5/100 of the sales of the relevant place of business in lieu of suspension of business, as prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, in cases of an enterprise which has only one place of business, the amount of a penalty surcharge shall not exceed 25/1000 of its sales. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall impose a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) in accordance with criteria prescribed by Presidential Decree in consideration of the kind of offense, the scale of business, the number of offenses, etc., and may raise or reduce the penalty surcharge within 1/2 of the amount thereof.

(3) Where necessary to impose a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the head of the competent tax office to provide taxation information by submitting a document stating the following: <Added on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Taxpayer's personal information;

2. The purpose of using taxation information;

3. Sales served as a basis for imposing the penalty surcharge.

(4) Where a person who is required to pay a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) fails to pay it by the payment due date, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall cancel the imposition of a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) and order the suspension of business, or collect it in the same manner as delinquent national taxes, as prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, where he or she cannot order the suspension of business under Article 35(2) due to the closure or the suspension of business under Article 34, he or she shall collect it in the same manner as delinquent national taxes. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Penalty surcharges imposed and collected by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment under paragraph (1) shall become revenues of the Special Account for Environment Improvement under the Framework Act on Environmental Policy. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 37(Succession to rights and duties) #

(1) Where a hazardous chemical substance business operator dies, transfers his or her business, or is merged or consolidated with another corporation, his or her heir, transferee, or the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation shall succeed to the rights and obligations of the former hazardous chemical substance business operator under the permission. In such cases, where his or her heir falls under any of subparagraphs 1 through 3 of Article 30, he or she may transfer his or her business to a third person within 90 days.

(2) A person who acquires a hazardous chemical substance handling facility in accordance with any of the following procedures shall succeed to the status of a business operator of such facility. In such cases, the permission of the former business operator to conduct business, registration of his or her business, or a report made by him or her shall lose its effect: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016>

1. Auction under the Civil Execution Act;

2. Conversion into money under the Debtor Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy Act;

3. Sale of seized property under the National Tax Collection Act, the Customs Act, or the Local Tax Collection Act;

4. Other procedures corresponding to those specified in subparagraphs 1 through 3.

(3) Where a hazardous chemical substance business operator transfers his or her business or dies, or corporations are merged or consolidated, a transferee, an heir, the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation shall succeed to the effect of administrative disposition under Articles 35 and 36 on the former hazardous chemical substance business operator for one year from the date the period of such disposition expires, and where procedures for administrative disposition are ongoing, procedures for administrative disposition may be continued against the transferee, the heir, or the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation; provided, the foregoing shall not apply where the transferee, the heir, or the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation proves that he or she/it is not aware of the fact of such disposition or violation as at the time of acquisition by transfer or merger.

(4) A person who succeeds to the rights and obligations of a hazardous chemical substance business operator pursuant to paragraph (1) shall report to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment his or her succession within 30 days from the date of the succession thereto, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 49(Reporting and inspection) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may require the following persons (including their domestic agent, where such agent is assigned to business affairs required to be conducted by the following persons) to file a necessary report or submit data, or require relevant public officials to access the relevant workplace or facility to collect chemical substances or inspect relevant documents, facilities, equipment, etc.; in such cases, he or she may require relevant public officials to collect the minimum quantity of chemical substances and samples necessary for testing without compensation: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016; Nov. 28, 2017; Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. A person required to verify chemical substances pursuant to Article 9(1);

2. A person required to obtain permission for the manufacture, import, or sale of prohibited substances pursuant to the proviso of Article 18(1);

2-2. A person required to obtain permission for the manufacture or import of restricted substances pursuant to the proviso of Article 18(2);

2-3. A person required to file a report on the manufacture, import, sale, keeping, storage, or use of restricted substances pursuant to Article 18(5);

3. A person required to obtain permission for the manufacture, import, or use of chemical substances subject to permission or to file a report on the manufacture or import of such substances pursuant to Article 19;

4. Deleted; <Feb. 6, 2024>

5. A person required to file a report on import of substances hazardous to human health, etc. pursuant to Article 20(2);

6. A person required to obtain approval for export of restricted or prohibited substances pursuant to Article 21(1);

6-2. A person required to implement a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents pursuant to Article 23-2(1);

6-3. A person who installs and operates a hazardous chemical substance handling facility pursuant to Article 24;

7. A person required to obtain permission for hazardous chemical substance business or to file a report thereon pursuant to Article 28;

7-2. A person required to file a report on reagent sales business or hazardous chemical substance sales business without handling facilities pursuant to Article 29-3;

8. A person required to report the succession to the rights and obligations of hazardous chemical substance business operator pursuant to Article 37(4);

9. A person who handles substances requiring preparation for accidents pursuant to Article 39;

9-2. Deleted; <Mar. 31, 2020>

10. A person required to file a report on a chemical accident pursuant to Article 43(2);

11. A person entrusted with duties by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment pursuant to Article 55(2).

(2) Any public official who accesses a workplace or facility, or conducts an inspection pursuant to paragraph (1) shall carry a certification indicating his or her authority and produce it to interested parties.

Article 50(Recording and retention of documents) #

(1) Any of the following persons shall record and preserve matters related to the handling of the relevant chemical substances for five years (In the case of subparagraph 3, referring to five years after the period specified in Article 19(5)), as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. A person who has verified chemical substances pursuant to Article 9(1);

2. A person who has obtained permission to manufacture, import, or sell prohibited substances pursuant to the proviso of Article 18(1);

2-2. A person who has obtained permission for the manufacture or import of restricted substances pursuant to the proviso of Article 18(2);

2-3. A person who has filed a report on the manufacture, import, sale, keeping, storage, or use of restricted substances pursuant to Article 18(5);

3. A person who has obtained permission for the manufacture, import, or use of chemical substances subject to permission or has filed a report on the manufacture or import of such substances pursuant to Article 19;

4. A person who has filed a report on import of substances hazardous to human health, etc. pursuant to Article 20(2);

5. A person who has obtained approval to export restricted substances or prohibited substances pursuant to Article 21(1);

6. A person who has obtained permission for hazardous chemical substance business or has filed a report thereon pursuant to Article 28;

6-2. A person who has filed a report on reagent sales business or hazardous chemical substance sales business without handling facilities pursuant to Article 29-3;

6-3. A hazardous chemical substance business operator (only applicable to a person falling under Article 28(6)) who has appointed or dismissed a hazardous chemical substance supervisor pursuant to Article 32 or for whom the appointed hazardous chemical substance supervisor has retired;

7. A person who handles substances requiring preparation for accidents under Article 39 (excluding where the handling facilities of substances requiring preparation for accidents are laboratories defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Establishment of Safe Laboratory Environment).

(2) In cases under paragraph (1), if digital input data exist, the relevant person may preserve digital input data in lieu of the relevant documents.

Article 54(Fees) #

A person who intends to file a report, or obtain designation or confirmation, undergo review, obtain a permission, etc. under any of the following shall pay fees prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment: <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Issuance of a certificate of confirmation of chemical substances under Article 9(3);

2. Permission for manufacture, import, or sale of prohibited substances and permission for, or reporting on, modification thereof under the proviso of Article 18(1) and paragraph (3) of that Article;

2-2. Permission for manufacture or import of restricted substances and permission for, or reporting on, modification thereof under the proviso of Article 18(2) and paragraph (3) of that Article;

2-3. Reporting on manufacture, import, sale, keeping, storage, or use of restricted substances and reporting on modification thereof under Article 18(5) and (6);

3. Permission for manufacture, import, or use of substances subject to permission and permission for modification thereof under Article 19(1), (6), and (8);

3-2. Reporting on manufacture or import of substances subject to permission and reporting on modification thereof under Article 19(7) and (8);

4. Deleted; <Feb. 6, 2024>

5. Reporting on import of substances hazardous to human health, etc. under Article 20(2);

6. Permission for modification of the import of restricted substances, and reporting on modification of the import of substances hazardous to human health, etc. under Article 20(4);

7. Approval for export of restricted substances or prohibited substances, and approval for any change to be made in the exportation thereof under Article 21(1);

8. Inspection of hazardous chemical substance handling facilities under Article 24(2) and (3);

9. Safety inspections of hazardous chemical substance handling facilities under Article 24(5);

10. Permission for hazardous chemical substance business under Article 28;

11. Permission for, or reporting on, modification of hazardous chemical substance business under Article 28(5);

11-2. Reporting on hazardous chemical substance business and reporting on modification thereof under Article 28(6);

12. Reporting on awarding of a contract for the handling of hazardous chemical substances and reporting of modifications under Article 31(1);

13. Reporting on suspension or closure of hazardous chemical substance business under Article 34(2).

Article 58(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding 100 million won; provided, the foregoing shall apply only to a domestic agent, if the domestic agent appointed by an overseas manufacturer or producer falls under any of the following categories: <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Jun. 12, 2018; Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024>

1. A person who fails to stop handling of hazardous chemical substances, etc. in violation of an order to stop handling of hazardous chemical substances under Article 17(1);

2. A person who handles prohibited substances, in violation of the main clause of Article 18(1);

2-2. A person who handles restricted substances, in violation of the main clause of Article 18(2);

3. A person who manufactures, imports or uses substances subject to permission without permission or after obtaining permission by fraud, in violation of Article 19;

3-2. A person who fails to submit a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents under Article 23(1) and (4) or falsely submits such plan;

3-3. A person who fails to implement a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents, in violation of Article 23-2(1);

3-4. A person who fails to give notification of a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents, in violation of Article 23-3;

4. A person who conducts hazardous chemical substance business or handles hazardous chemical substances without permission for hazardous chemical substance business under Article 28 or after obtaining permission by fraud;

5. A person who fails to dispose of remaining hazardous chemical substances in the place of business, in violation of Article 34(1);

6. A person who fails to comply with any of the standards for management of substances requiring preparation for accidents, in violation of Article 40;

7. A person who fails to comply with an order to take measures for mitigation or elimination of damage and for recovery under Article 46(1).

Article 59(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 50 million won: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016; Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024>

1. A person who fails to comply with any of the standards for handling hazardous chemical substances, in violation of Article 13;

2. A person who fails to wear personal protective gear, in violation of Article 14(1);

3. A person who displays or keeps hazardous chemical substances in excess of the quantity of hazardous chemical substances to be handled, in violation of Article 15(1), or displays or keeps hazardous chemical substances without having a keeping or storage facility, in violation of paragraph (2) of that Article;

4. A person who fails to affix a label concerning hazardous chemical substances under Article 16(1) and (2);

5. Deleted; <Feb. 6, 2024>

6. A person who ingests or inhales hallucinogenic substances, possesses them for such purposes, or knowingly sells or provides them to a person who intends to ingest or inhale them, in violation of Article 22;

7. A person who installs and operates a handling facility without conducting a safety inspection under Article 24(5);

8. A person who installs and operates a handling facility without being determined appropriate pursuant to Article 24(6);

9. A person who fails to comply with an improvement order or an order to stop the operation under Article 25;

10. A person who fails to inspect a handling facility, equipment, etc., or fails to record or keep the results thereof for five years, in violation of Article 26(1);

10-2. A person who fails to take necessary measures when he or she stops handling hazardous chemical substances or suspends or closes his or her business, in violation of the main clause of Article 34(1);

11. A person who fails to comply with an order to take measures before the suspension of business or the closure of business under Article 34(3);

12. A person who fails to immediately stop operation of the chemical handling facility which has received an order to stop operation or operates the relevant chemical handling facility before the order to stop operation is revoked, in violation of Article 44-2(2).

Article 61(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won; provided, the foregoing shall apply only to a domestic agent, if the domestic agent appointed by an overseas manufacturer or producer falls under any of the following categories: <Amended on May 29, 2016; Dec. 27, 2016; Nov. 28, 2017; Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024>

1. A person who fails to comply with any of the requirements for permission under Article 19(5);

1-2. A person who manufactures, imports, or uses substances subject to permission, without permission for modification under Article 19(8) or after obtaining permission for modification by fraud;

2. A person who imports substances hazardous to human health, etc. without filing a report under Article 20(2) or after filing a false report;

3. A person who exports restricted substances without obtaining approval for export of restricted substances under the former part of Article 21(1) or after obtaining permission by fraud;

3-2. A person who fails to submit a plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents under Article 23(3) or falsely submits such plan;

3-3. A person who fails to submit a revised or supplemented plan for the prevention and management of chemical accidents under Article 23(7);

3-4. A person who fails to comply with a corrective order, etc. under Article 23-2(3);

4. A person who conducts business without permission for modification in hazardous chemical substance business under the former part of Article 28(5) or after obtaining permission for modification by fraud;

4-2. A person who conducts hazardous chemical substance business without filing a report on such business under Article 28(6) or after filing a false report thereon;

5. A person who fails to file a report on business of selling reagents for use in experiments, research, or testing which fall under the category of hazardous chemical substances or fails to file a report on hazardous chemical substance sales business without installing and operating a hazardous chemical substance handling facility pursuant to Article 29-3 or who files a false report thereon.

Article 64(Administrative fines) #

(1) Any of the following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 10 million won; provided, the foregoing shall apply only to a domestic agent, if the domestic agent appointed by an overseas manufacturer or producer falls under any of the following categories: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016; Nov. 28, 2017; Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024>

1. A person who fails to submit the details of confirmation of chemical substances or submits false details thereof, in violation of Article 9(1);

2. A person who fails to comply with an order to submit data necessary for statistical surveys of chemical substances under Article 10(4) or submits false data;

3. A person who fails comply with an order to submit data necessary for surveys of the volume of chemical substances released under Article 11(2) or submits false data;

3-2. A person who fails to submit a release reduction plan or who submits it by fraud;

3-3. A person who fails to submit data prescribed in Article 11-2(6) or submits such data by fraud, or who refuses, obstructs or evades the visit or inspection by relevant public officials;

3-4. A person who submits data necessary for deliberation prescribed in Article 12(3) or explanations prescribed in paragraph (5) of that Article by fraud;

3-5. A person who fails to comply with the conditions attached to permission under Article 18(4);

3-6. A person who manufactures or imports substances subject to permission, without filing a report under Article 19(7) or after filing a false report;

3-7. A person who manufactures, imports, or uses substances subject to permission, without filing a report on modification under Article 19(8) or after filing a false report on modification;

4. A person who sells or provides hallucinogenic substances, in violation of Article 22(2);

4-2. Deleted; <Mar. 31, 2020>

5. A person who conducts hazardous chemical substance business without filing a report on modification of such business under the former part of Article 28(5) or the latter part of Article 28(6) or after filing a false report on modification;

5-2. A person who conducts business without filing a report on modification under Article 29-3(2) or after filing a false report on modification;

6. A person who fails to file a report on awarding of a contract for handling hazardous chemical substances, in violation of the former part of Article 31(1);

7. A person who fails to file a report on appointment, dismissal, or retirement of a hazardous chemical substance supervisor or fails to designate a deputy performing his or her duties on his or her behalf, in violation of Article 32;

8. A person who closes or suspends his or her business or stops operation of hazardous chemical substance handling facility without filing a report under Article 34(2);

9. A person who fails to report succession under Article 37(4);

10. A person who conducts hazardous chemical substance business without making a report under Article 38(2) or after making a false report;

10-2. A person who fails to file a report on the fact that he or she has been appointed by an overseas manufacturer or producer, in violation of Article 48-4(2);

10-3. A person who fails to notify another person who imports or intends to import chemical substances of matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the fact that he or she has been appointed by an overseas manufacturer or producer and the assigned business affairs, in violation of Article 48-4(3);

11. A person who fails to make a report or submit data under Article 49(1) or makes a false report or submits false data, or a person who refuses, interferes with, or evades a relevant public official's access to his or her place of business or facility, or inspection of his or her documents, facility, or equipment under Article 49(1).

(2) Any of the following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding three million won; provided, the foregoing shall apply only to a domestic agent, if the domestic agent appointed by an overseas manufacturer or producer falls under any of the following categories: <Amended on Dec. 27, 2016; Nov. 28, 2017; Mar. 31, 2020; Feb. 6, 2024>

1. A person who fails to submit a release reduction plan by correcting or supplementing it;

1-2. A person who manufactures, imports, or sells prohibited substances or manufactures or imports restricted substances, without filing a report on modification under Article 18(3) or after filing a false report on modification;

1-3. A person who fails to file a report on the manufacture, import, sale, keeping, storage, or use of restricted substances or files a false report, in violation of Article 18(5);

1-4. A person who fails to file a report on modification of the manufacture, import, sale, keeping, storage, or use of restricted substances or files a false report on modification, in violation of Article 18(6);

2. Deleted; <Mar. 31, 2020>

3. A person who fails to notify the purchasers of hazardous chemical substances, etc. of the matters specified in the subparagraphs of Article 29-2(1), in violation of Article 29-2;

3-2. A person who fails to report modifications under the latter part of Article 31(1) or falsely reports modifications;

4. Any hazardous chemical substance business operator who fails to require persons subject to safety education on hazardous chemical substances to receive safety education on hazardous chemical substances, in violation of Article 33(2), or fails to conduct safety education on hazardous chemical substances, in violation of Article 33(3);

5. A person who violates his or her obligations concerning the recording or preservation under Article 50(1).

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall impose and collect an administrative fine under paragraphs (1) and (2), as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

Article 2(Definitions) #

Article 3(Scope of application) #

Article 4(Duties of the State and local governments) #

Article 5(Duties of chemical handlers) #

Article 6(Master plans for control of chemical substances) #

Article 7(Chemical Substances Control Committee) #

Article 7-2(Enactment of municipal ordinance on management of chemical substances) #

Article 8(Consultations on major policies) #

Article 9(Verification of chemical substances) #

Article 10(Statistical surveys on chemical substances and establishment and operation of information system) #

Article 11(Pollutant release and transfer registers) #

Article 11-2(Preparation and submission of chemical release reduction plan) #

Article 12(Disclosure of results of surveys of chemical substances and information) #

Article 13(Criteria for handling hazardous chemical substances) #

Article 14(Handlers' wearing of personal protective gear) #

Article 15(Restrictions on quantity of hazardous chemical substances displayed or stored) #

Article 16(Labeling of hazardous chemical substances) #

Article 16-2(Special cases concerning consumers) #

Article 17(Suspension of manufacture and import of hazardous chemical substances) #

Article 18(Prohibition on handling of prohibited substances and restriction on handling of restricted substances) #

Article 19(Permission to manufacture, import, or use substances subject to permission) #

Article 20(Reporting on import of substances acutely hazardous to human health) #

Article 21(Approval for export of restricted substances or prohibited substances) #

Article 22(Prohibition against inhalation of hallucinogenic substances) #

Article 23(Preparation and submission of plans for prevention and management of chemical accidents) #

Article 23-2(Implementation of plans for prevention and management of chemical accidents) #

Article 23-3(Notification of plans for prevention and management of chemical accidents to local communities) #

Article 23-4(Formulation of plans for responding to local chemical accidents) #

Article 24(Criteria for layout, installation, and management of handling facilities) #

Article 25(Orders to improve handling facilities) #

Article 26(Self-inspection of handling facilities) #

Article 27(Classification of hazardous chemical business) #

Article 28(Permission for hazardous chemical substance business) #

Article 28-2(Mail order of hazardous chemical substances) #

Article 29(Exemption from permission for hazardous chemical substance business) #

Article 29-2(Duty of sellers of hazardous chemical substances to notify) #

Article 29-3(Reporting on reagent sales business or hazardous chemical substance sales business without handling facilities) #

Article 30(Grounds for disqualification of hazardous chemical substance business operators) #

Article 31(Reporting on awarding of contracts for handling hazardous chemical substances) #

Article 32(Hazardous chemical substance supervisors) #

Article 33(Safety education on hazardous chemical substances) #

Article 34(Suspension of handling of hazardous chemical substances, suspension of business, and closure of business) #

Article 34-2(Improvement order on hazardous chemical business substance operators) #

Article 35(Revocation of permission to conduct hazardous chemical substance business) #

Article 36(Disposition of penalty surcharges imposed in lieu of suspension of business) #

Article 37(Succession to rights and duties) #

Article 38(Approval for shared utilization of hazardous chemical substance supervisors and handling facilities) #

Article 39(Designation of substances requiring preparation for accidents) #

Article 40(Standards for control of substances requiring preparation for accidents) #

Article 41 #

Article 41-2 #

Article 42 #

Article 43(Reporting of occurrence of chemical accidents) #

Article 44(Response at scene of chemical accidents) #

Article 44-2(Order to stop operation of facility at which chemical accident occurred) #

Article 45(Investigation into impacts of chemical accidents) #

Article 46(Orders to take measures) #

Article 47(Designation of areas requiring special management of chemical accidents) #

Article 48(Establishment and operation of comprehensive chemical information system) #

Article 48-2(Establishment and operation of electronic civil petition window) #

Article 48-3(Requests for provision of data) #

Article 48-4(Conducting business affairs by persons appointed by overseas manufacturers or producers) #

Article 49(Reporting and inspection) #

Article 50(Recording and retention of documents) #

Article 51(Hearings) #

Article 52(Data protection) #

Article 53(Association relating to control of chemical substances) #

Article 54(Fees) #

Article 55(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #

Article 56(Legal fiction as public officials in application of penalty provisions) #

Article 57(Penalty provisions) #

Article 58(Penalty provisions) #

Article 59(Penalty provisions) #

Article 60(Penalty provisions) #

Article 61(Penalty provisions) #

Article 62(Penalty provisions) #

Article 63(Joint penalty provisions) #

Article 64(Administrative fines) #