ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the sustainable development of the national economy by supporting the development and dissemination of environmental technologies and fostering the environmental industry, thereby managing and conserving the environment and promoting the transition to a carbon neutral society and green growth. <Amended on Jan. 13, 2010; Mar. 18, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

Article 2(Definitions) #

The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 24, 2014; Dec. 22, 2015; Jan. 17, 2017; Apr. 13, 2021; Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. “Environmental technology” means any of the following technologies or technologies applying or utilizing such technologies:

a. Technologies for the prevention, reduction, management, treatment, monitoring, measurement, or analysis of environmental pollution defined in subparagraph 4 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy;

b. Technologies for natural environment conservation defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Natural Environment Conservation Act;

c. Technologies for sustainable use defined in subparagraph 5 of Article 2 of the Act on the Conservation and Use of Biological Diversity;

d. Technologies for coping with climate change defined in subparagraph 6 of Article 2 of the Act on Promotion of Technology Development for Coping with Climate Change;

e. Technologies for resource circulation defined in subparagraph 6 of Article 2 of the Act on Promotion of Transition to Circular Economy and Society;

f. Water management technologies defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on Development of Water Management Technologies and on Promotion of Water Industry;

g. Technologies for the management of hazardous chemical substances defined in subparagraph 7 of Article 2 of the Chemical Substances Control Act;

h. Other technologies prescribed by Presidential Decree, as necessary for the conservation and management of the environment, including environmental impact assessment technologies;

2. "Environmental facilities" means facilities, machinery, apparatus and other objects for prior prevention or reduction of harm or damage caused to the natural environment and living environment by environmental pollutants, etc., or appropriate disposal of environmental pollutants, or recycling of wastes, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment;

3. “Environmental industry” means any of the following industries that promote the management and conservation of the environment, the transition to a carbon neutral society, and green growth:

a. An industry that provides facilities, equipment, or services necessary for the measurement, prevention, minimization, restoration, etc. of environmental damage caused by emissions of environmental pollutants, etc.;

b. An industry that provides services related to environmental technology;

c. Other industries prescribed by Presidential Decree as industries for promoting the management and conservation of the environment, the transition to a carbon neutral society, and green growth, including upcycling industries that create new high added value in new ways by adding ideas, designs, etc. to waste resources;

3-2. "Commercialization" means activities of developing, manufacturing, supplying, or providing products or services by utilizing developed environmental technologies, or improving related environmental technologies in such process;

4. "Specialized environmental construction" means design and construction works of following facilities:

a. Air pollution prevention facilities under subparagraph 12 of Article 2 of the Clean Air Conservation Act;

b. Noise and vibration preventive facilities under subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Noise and Vibration Control Act;

c. Water pollution prevention facilities under subparagraph 12 of Article 2 of the Water Environment Conservation Act;

5. "Environmental impact of products" means the degree of impacts that materials and products have on the environment as measured by the degree of the emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases and the degree of the use of resources and energy during the overall process of their manufacturing, consumption and disposal;

6. "Label" means characters, numbers, or figures placed on the containers or packages of products;

7. "Advertising" means the act of indicating or publicizing information on products through the radio, television, newspapers, magazines, voices, sounds, visual images, internet, printed materials, signs or other means.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

Article 2-2(Relationship to other statutes) #

Except as otherwise provided in any other statute, the development and dissemination of environmental technologies and the fostering of the environmental industry shall be governed by this Act.

[This Article Added on Mar. 18, 2025]

Article 3(Formulation of plans for promotion of environmental technologies and environmental industry) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall compile plans for development of environmental technologies of the related central administrative agencies and formulate a plan for the development of environmental technologies and promotion of environmental industry (hereinafter referred to as "promotion plan") every 5 years following the deliberation thereon by the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology under the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology Act (hereafter in this Article referred to as the "Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology"). <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 23, 2013; Jan. 16, 2018; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A promotion plan shall include the following: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Jul. 21, 2011; Jan. 5, 2021; Mar. 18, 2025>

1. Current status and long-term outlook of the level of environmental control based on a comprehensive plan for environmental conservation at the national level under Article 14 of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy (including a comprehensive national environmental plan re-examined under Article 16-2(1) of that Act);

2. Domestic and overseas trend of and development outlook for environmental technologies and environmental industry;

3. Matters concerning the objectives of the promotion of environmental technologies and environmental industry, basic direction for policies, and promotion policies by sector;

4. Annual investment and promotion plans for environmental technologies and environmental industry;

5. International cooperation on environmental technologies and environmental industry, and advancement into the foreign market;

6. Support for research of environmental technologies and environmental industry for schools, academic organizations, research institutions, etc.;

7. Promotion of the dissemination and commercialization of environmental technologies;

8. Other matters necessary for the promotion of environmental technologies and environmental industry;

9. Deleted. <Apr. 28, 2011>

(3) In order to enhance the eco-friendliness of materials and products, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may authorize a specialized institution designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in consultation with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (hereinafter referred to as "certification institution") to award a certification of environmental product declaration which quantitatively indicates the environmental impact information of products which are prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 16, 2013; Mar. 24, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 4 #

Deleted. <Jan. 7, 2009>

Article 5(Promotion of environmental technology development projects) #

(1) In order to ensure environmental conservation and the sustainable development of the national economy, the Government may authorize any of the following institutions, organizations, or business operators (hereafter in this Article referred to as "research institutions, etc.") to perform environmental technology development projects (hereinafter referred to as "development projects"), as prescribed by Presidential Decree: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011>

1. National or public research institutions;

2. Research institutions governed by the Specific Research Institutes Support Act;

3. Government-funded research institutions established under the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutes or government-funded research institutions of science and technology established under the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Science and technology Research Institutions;

4. Schools under Article 2 of the Higher Education Act;

5. Adjunct laboratories to enterprises meeting the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree;

6. Industrial technology research cooperatives under the Industrial Technology Research Cooperatives Support Act;

7. Green environment support centers under Article 10;

8. Business entities engaged in the environmental industry (hereinafter referred to as "environmental enterprises");

9. Foreign research institutions meeting the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, they shall be limited to those conducting joint research and development projects with domestic institutions, organizations or business operators;

10. Other institutions, organizations or business operators prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) Any expense to be incurred in relation to development projects shall be covered by contributions from the Government or contributions from persons, other than the Government and other research and development expenses of enterprises.

(3) The Government may disburse contributions to research institutions, etc. carrying out development projects under paragraph (1) for the promotion of development projects.

(4) The head of a research institution, etc. carrying out a development project with the contributions under paragraph (3) may collect royalties by concluding a technology license agreement with a person who intends to use, transfer, lend or export the findings of research and development after completion of the development project.

Article 5-2(Restriction on participation in national research and development projects) #

(1) Where institutions, organizations, business operators, or their executive officers or employees that participate in any development project under Article 5 fall under any of the subparagraphs of Article 11-2(1) of the Framework Act on Science and Technology, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may restrict their participation in development projects, and national research and development projects under Article 11 of the Framework Act on Science and Technology and ordered by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment (hereafter in this Article referred to as "national research and development projects"), for up to 5 years (10 years in the case of a person who was subject to restriction on participation in national research and development projects on the same grounds for restriction on participation), and may recover all or part of the project costs already contributed by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Upon restricting the participation in development projects or national research and development projects pursuant to paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall notify the heads of other related central administrative agencies of such fact. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Upon being notified of the restriction on participation pursuant to paragraph (2), the heads of related central administrative agencies may restrict the participation of a person subject to the restriction on participation in national research and development projects under their jurisdiction for up to 5 years (10 years in the case of a person who was subject to restriction on participation in national research and development projects on the same grounds for restriction on participation). <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020>

(4) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and the heads of related central administrative agencies have decided to restrict participation pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (3), they shall without delay notify a person subject to such restriction of their decision. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) A person who has become subject to the restriction on participation under paragraph (1) or (3) may file an objection to a person who has placed such restriction.

(6) With respect to a person subject to a restriction on participation or recovery of project costs under paragraph (1), where the person falls under Article 11-2(1)1 of the Framework Act on Science and Technology and it is recognized that such person has conscientiously performed research and development, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may reduce the period of restriction on participation and the amount of project costs to be recovered. <Added on Mar. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 5-3 #

Deleted. <Dec. 1, 2015>

Article 6(Fostering of environmental industry) #

(1) The Government shall formulate necessary policy measures to foster the environmental industry.

(2) A person operating any of the following financial resources (hereinafter referred to as “financial resource operator”) may provide financial support from such resources to environmental enterprises for technology development, startup, commercialization, overseas expansion, etc.:

1. The Special Account for Environmental Improvement under Article 45 of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy;

2. The Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Establishment and Promotion Fund under Article 63 of the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Act;

3. The Science and Technology Promotion Fund under Article 22 of the Framework Act on Science and Technology;

4. The Climate Response Fund under Article 69 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis.

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may establish green transition guarantee accounts in the following institutions and entrust the operation and management of such accounts for the development and dissemination of environmental technologies and the fostering of the environmental industry, etc.: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The Korea Technology Finance Corporation under the Korea Technology Finance Corporation Act;

2. The Korea Credit Guarantee Fund under the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund Act.

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may contribute funds necessary for the development and dissemination of environmental technologies and the fostering of the environmental industry, etc. to the green transition guarantee accounts under paragraph (3). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Other matters necessary for the revenues, operation, management, etc. of the green transition guarantee accounts under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(6) To promote investment in the environmental industry, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may invest in the following associations or companies within the budget, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. A venture investment association defined in subparagraph 11 of Article 2 of the Venture Investment Promotion Act and the Fund of Funds for Venture Investment under Article 70(1) of that Act;

Article 6-2(Support for startup of environmental enterprises) #

The Government may provide the following administrative and financial support to persons intending to start environmental enterprises and other persons prescribed by Presidential Decree in order to promote and facilitate the startup of environmental enterprises: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Support for and loans of startup funds;

2. Support for startup, management consulting, and capacity building;

3. Provision of preferential opportunities to move into green convergence clusters defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Creation and Fostering of Green Convergence Clusters;

4. Other matters deemed by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to require support.

[This Article Added on Mar. 18, 2025]

Article 6-3(Support for commercialization of environmental technologies) #

(1) The Government may provide the following administrative and financial support to persons intending to commercialize environmental technologies and other persons prescribed by Presidential Decree in order to promote the commercialization of developed environmental technologies:

1. Support for and loans of commercialization funds;

2. Support for commercialization, management consulting, and capacity building;

3. Technical guidance necessary for commercialization;

4. Support for industry-academia cooperation, including joint environmental technology development projects among industry, academia, and research institutes;

5. Support for facilitating the convergence of environmental technologies;

6. Other matters deemed by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to require support.

(2) The Government may foster an entity prescribed by Presidential Decree as a specialized institution in order to efficiently support the commercialization of environmental technologies.

[This Article Added on Mar. 18, 2025]

Article 7(New technology certifications and technology verifications) #

(1) When an application for the new technology certification of any of the following technologies is filed, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may award a new technology certification if such technology has been certified as having novelty and excellence compared with the existing technology (hereinafter referred to as "new technology"): <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Technologies regarding the method of construction in the environmental field which have initially been developed in the country and technologies related thereto;

2. New technologies in the method of construction in the environmental field following the improvement of introduced technologies and technologies related thereto.

(2) When an application for the new technology certification of any of the following technologies is filed with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, a technology verification may be conducted if performance of such technology has been verified through evaluations in the field, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "verified technology"): <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. New technology awarded a new technology certification pursuant to paragraph (1);

2. A technology for which an application for a technology verification is filed for the judgement on success or failure of the technology which is applied in the environmental facilities installed in the agencies referred to in each subparagraph of Article 7-2(3).

(3) In cases of environmental technologies prescribed by Presidential Decree, including the sewage water, wastewater treatment technology, and water purification technology, among the technologies which require both new technology certification and technology verification as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2), both the new technology certification and technology verification shall be obtained. In such cases, the applications for new technology certification and technology verification shall be filed at the same time, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall issue a certificate of new technology when he or she has awarded a new technology certification pursuant to paragraph (1), a certificate of technology verification when he or she has conducted a technology verification pursuant to paragraph (2), and a certificate of new technology as well as a certificate of technology verification when he or she has both awarded a new technology certification and conducted a technology verification pursuant to paragraph (3). <Amended on Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 7-2(Method of indicating new technology certifications or technology verifications, and preferential use thereof) #

(1) A person who has obtained a new technology certification or technology verification pursuant to Article 7 may place indications of the new technology certification or technology verification on facilities, products, etc. installed by making use of a relevant technology, or make use of it for advertisement, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) No person other than a person who has obtained a new technology certification or technology verification shall place any indication of a new technology certification or technology verification, similar mark, or advertise thereon. <Amended on Jul. 16, 2013>

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may take proper measures, such as preferential grant of subsidies relating to Article 75 of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act, Article 56 of the Waste Control Act and Article 63 of the Sewerage Act so that the following institutions or business operators who have installed and operated environmental facilities may preferentially use new technologies or verified technologies: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. State agencies or local governments;

2. Public institutions under Article 5 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions;

3. State or local government-invested institutions.

(4) When institutions or business operators referred to in each subparagraph of paragraph (3) have utilized new technologies or verified technologies, they shall submit the result of application annually to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Apr. 28, 2011; Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may conduct a follow-up evaluation on the performance and economic feasibility of new technologies or verified technologies as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment based on the results of the application of new technologies or verified technologies submitted pursuant to paragraph (4). <Added on Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall publicly announce the results of the follow-up evaluation provided in paragraph (5) as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and make a notification thereof to the institutions or business operators referred to in each subparagraph of paragraph (3). <Added on Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 7-3(Validity period of new technology certification and technology verification) #

(1) The validity period of a new technology certification or technology verification shall be 8 years from the date such certification or verification is granted. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Jul. 16, 2013; Apr. 13, 2021>

(2) The validity period under paragraph (1) may be extended only once, which shall not exceed 5 years in case of a new technology certification or 7 years in case of a technology verification. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011>

(3) Matters necessary for the filling of an application, etc. for the extension of a new technology certification shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Title Amended on Apr. 28, 2011]

Article 7-4(Cancellation of new technology certifications or technology verifications) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall revoke a new technology certification or technology verification in any of the following cases: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where such new technology certification or technology verification has been obtained by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment recognizes that it is not proper to disseminate the relevant technology due to significant defects found in such new technology or verified technology.

(2) Matters necessary for the procedures for revocation. etc. under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

Article 7-5(Verification of performance of environmental technologies) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may verify the performance of environmental technologies prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Any person intending to have the performance of environmental technologies verified pursuant to paragraph (1) shall file an application 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>

(3) Upon receiving an application referred to in paragraph (2), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment 　 shall conduct evaluation necessary to verify the performance of environmental technologies. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may require a person who applies for the verification of the performance of environmental technologies pursuant to paragraph (2) to bear the cost necessary for such verification, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Matters necessary for the procedures, evaluation methods, etc. for verifying the performance of environmental technologies prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (3) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jan. 27, 2016]

[Previous Article 7-5 moved to Article 7-6 <Jan. 27, 2016>]

Article 7-6(Designation of and support for excellent environmental enterprises) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate an environmental enterprise with excellent business performance, technological capabilities, etc. as an excellent environmental enterprise in accordance with the criteria prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to support and foster the environmental industry. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may preferentially provide the following administrative and financial support to the excellent environmental enterprises designated under paragraph (1). <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Provision of preferential opportunities to move into green convergence clusters defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Creation and Fostering of Green Convergence Clusters;

2. Support for environmental technology development projects under Article 5;

3. Support for the commercialization of environmental technologies under Article 6-3;

4. Support for entry into overseas markets under Article 13-4;

5. Other matters deemed by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to require support.

(3) The validity period for designation of excellent environmental enterprises under paragraph (1) shall be 5 years from the date of such designation, and such enterprises may be re-designated every five years.

(4) Matters necessary, such as the method of and procedure for designation of excellent environmental enterprises, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke the designation of an excellent environmental enterprise which is granted under paragraph (1), in any of the following cases; provided, the designation shall be revoked in the case of subparagraph 1: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. When it is designated as an excellent environmental enterprise by false or illicit means;

2. When it falls below the criteria of designation prescribed by Presidential Decree under paragraph (1).

(6) When the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment designates or re-designates an excellent environmental enterprise under paragraph (1) or (3), or revokes the designation thereof under paragraph (5), he or she shall make a public notification of such content on the relevant website, etc. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 8(Promotion of international joint research programs) #

(1) In order to ensure the sustainable and balanced development of the national economy, the Government shall establish policies for promoting international joint research programs on environmental technologies and the environmental industry.

(2) The Government may promote the following projects to facilitate international joint research programs under paragraph (1):

1. Research and study for international collaboration on environmental technologies and the environmental industry;

2. International exchange of human resources and information on environmental technologies and the environmental industry;

3. Hosting of exhibitions and academic conferences on environmental technologies and the environmental industry;

4. Development of overseas markets for environmental technologies and the environmental industry;

5. Promotion of technical development for the conservation of the earth's environment;

6. Other projects recognized as necessary for the promotion of international joint research programs.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

Article 9(Dissemination of environmental technologies and information) #

(1) The Government shall establish detailed policies for the dissemination of innovative environmental technologies and the collection and spread of information on environmental technologies.

(2) The Government may computerize environmental technologies and information for management purposes for the dissemination of environmental technologies and the collection and spread of information on environmental technologies under paragraph (1).

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the heads of related agencies to furnish data necessary for the computerization of environmental technologies and information under paragraph (2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Government may advise business operators and environmental enterprises, etc. discharging environmental pollutants to develop environmental technologies, introduce innovative environmental technologies and exchange information on environmental technologies.

(5) Where it is recognized as necessary to meet the environmental standards under Article 12 of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may advise the heads of related central administrative agencies or local governments to use and disseminate innovative environmental technologies. <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

Article 9-2(Fact-finding surveys on environmental technologies and environmental industry) #

(1) To formulate governmental policies related to environmental technologies and environmental industry, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may conduct a fact-finding survey on environmental technologies and environmental industry (hereinafter referred to as "fact-finding survey") and disclose the results. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) If necessary to conduct a fact-finding survey, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request relevant administrative organs, public institutions, environmental enterprises, or corporations and organizations related to environmental technologies and environmental industry to submit materials or to state their opinions. In such cases, a person so requested shall cooperate unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Amended on Jan. 27, 2016; Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Matters necessary to conduct a fact-finding survey, such as details, timing and procedures, shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Apr. 28, 2011]

Article 10(Designation and operation of green environment centers) #

(1) To resolve pending environmental issues and to establish the foundation for, promote, and undertake other activities related to green growth defined in subparagraph 14 of Article 2 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis (hereinafter referred to as "green growth”), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate and operate a central green environment center and green environment centers (hereinafter referred to as "green environment centers”), as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Apr. 13, 2021; Sep. 24, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Green environment centers shall conduct projects as follows: <Amended on Apr. 13, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The Central Green Environment Center: The following projects:

a. Establishment and operation of a network among regional green environment centers;

b. Projects for performance management and dissemination of projects conducted by regional green environment centers;

c. Development of support and cooperation programs for environmental enterprises;

d. Support for the evaluation of regional green environment centers under Article 10-2(1);

e. Joint promotional projects of green environment centers;

f. Other projects for the joint development of green environment centers recognized by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment;

2. Regional green environment centers: The following projects:

a. Survey and research, development of environmental technologies, and public-private cooperative projects for regional environmental improvement and conservation;

b. Projects related to the collection, classification, processing, and dissemination of basic data related to the environment and environmental technology information, and the establishment of information networks related thereto;

c. International exchange of environmental technologies;

d. Projects for the support of and collaboration with environmental enterprises;

e. Environmental education and promotional projects for green growth, regional environmental improvement, etc.;

f. Provision of technical advice for various environmental-related authorization, permission, or reports under Article 23 of the Clean Air Conservation Act, Article 33 of the Water Environment Conservation Act, Article 25 of the Wastes Control Act, and other relevant provisions;

Article 10-2(Evaluation of green environment centers and revocation of designation) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall evaluate green environment centers under Article 10 as follows: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Regular evaluation: Evaluation of the previous year's performance of green environment centers once every year;

2. Comprehensive evaluation: Evaluation of overall operation of green environment centers every 5 years upon expiration of their designation period for redesignation.

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may, if deemed necessary for the evaluation of green environment centers under paragraph (1), organize and operate an evaluation board of green environment centers (hereinafter referred to as the "evaluation board") which consists of related experts. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Matters necessary for organization and operation of the evaluation board shall be prescribed by Decree of the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where the Minister of the Environment intends to conduct the evaluation under paragraph (1), he or she shall inform the standards and time of evaluation in advance, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) When the business performance is rated poor as a result of the regular evaluation under paragraph (1)1, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may warn the relevant center, suspend the provision of support or reduce the amount of support under Article 10(2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) If a person who obtained designation of a green environment center under Article 10 falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke the designation: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the person receives warnings twice or more in the last three years;

2. Where it is deemed impracticable to attain the designated purposes of such green environment because the person ceases to meet the conditions of designation under Article 10(4).

[This Article Added on Apr. 28, 2011]

Article 10-3(Establishment and operation of financial support system for green management enterprises) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may establish and operate a financial support system for green management enterprises in order to provide information necessary for financial support for enterprises that adopt green management under Article 55 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis. <Amended on Sep. 24, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where it is necessary to establish and operate a financial support system for green management enterprises under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request that the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, the heads of local governments, and the heads of relevant institutions or organizations submit materials related to environment determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, a person so requested shall comply therewith, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where financial institutions defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Structural Improvement of the Financial Industry (hereinafter referred to as “financial institutions”) or finance-related institutions determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment request information necessary for financial support for enterprises that adopt green management, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may provide relevant information using the financial support system for green management enterprises under paragraph (1). <Amended on Apr. 13, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Other matters necessary for establishing and operating the financial support system for green management enterprises under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jan. 27, 2016]

Article 10-4(Support for and promotion of environmentally responsible investment) #

(1) A financial institution shall endeavor to make investments reflecting environmental factors in investment decision-making (hereinafter referred to as “environmentally responsible investment”).

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may conduct the following projects for the support and promotion of environmentally responsible investment: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Establishment of a green classification system for determining whether economic activities are environmentally sustainable; in such cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall consult in advance with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Chairperson of the Financial Services Commission;

2. Establishment of a standard evaluation system for assessing the environmental performance of enterprises;

3. Other projects prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Apr. 13, 2021]

Article 10-5(Designation of dedicated institutions) #

(1) In order to professionally promote projects under Article 10-4(2), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate an institution or organization prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, as an institution dedicated to supporting environmentally responsible investment (hereinafter referred to as “dedicated institution”). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A dedicated institution designated under paragraph (1) shall perform the following duties, as prescribed by Presidential Decree:

1. Evaluations applying the standard evaluation system under Article 10-4(2)2;

2. Collection, management, and provision of relevant information necessary for evaluations under subparagraph 1;

3. Other duties prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may fully or partially subsidize a dedicated institution to cover the expenses incurred in performing its duties under paragraph (2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where a dedicated institution falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke its designation; provided, in the case of subparagraph 1, the designation shall be revoked: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where it has obtained designation by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where it ceases to meet the designation requirements for dedicated institutions;

3. Where it has otherwise become manifestly inappropriate for it to perform its duties as a dedicated institution.

(5) Matters necessary for the requirements and procedures for designation of dedicated institutions and revocation of such designation shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Apr. 13, 2021]

Article 11(Establishment and operation of environmental industry association) #

(1) Environmental enterprises may establish an environmental industry association (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”) with permission from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment for the sound development of the environmental industry. <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Association shall be a corporation.

(3) The Association shall perform the following functions: <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025>

1. Investigation of present conditions by business type of environmental industry and related statistics;

2. Research of the system for fostering of environmental industry and recommendations for improvement;

3. Collection, analysis and provision of the environmental technologies and market information related to environmental industry;

4. Promotion of domestic and international public-private cooperation for the development of the environmental industry;

5. Support for overseas expansion of environmental enterprises;

6. Tasks entrusted by the State or local governments;

7. Other business affairs related to the fostering of environmental industry which are prescribed by its articles of association.

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may subsidize the Association part of fund necessary for the development of environmental technologies and environmental industry. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Except as prescribed in this Act, the provisions of the Civil Act, which pertain to incorporated associations shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Association.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 28, 2011]

Article 12(Support for environmental technologies) #

(1) The Government may provide technical support for preventing or reducing environmental pollution generated from the process of manufacturing activities of enterprises and ensuring the effective operation and management of environmental facilities. <Amended on Jun. 9, 2009; Apr. 28, 2011>

(2) Where improvement of facilities is recognized as necessary as a result of technical support under paragraph (1), the Government may partially subsidize the expenses to be incurred for improving such facilities.

(3) Matters necessary for the facilities subject to technical support under paragraph (1), and method of support and subsidization, etc. under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

Article 13(Technology inspection) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may conduct technical inspections for public environmental facilities in order to prevent failures and promote the proper operation thereof. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where improvement of facilities is recognized as necessary as a result of technology inspections under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may partially subsidize the expenses to be incurred for improving such facilities. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the administrators of public environmental facilities to take necessary measures, such as supplementation of facilities, according to the results of technology inspections. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The administrators of public environmental facilities shall cooperate on technology inspections under paragraph (1).

(5) Matters necessary for facilities subject to technology inspections, the intervals of, and expenses for, technology inspections, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

Article 13-2 #

Deleted. <Jun. 15, 2021>

Article 13-3 #

Deleted. <Jun. 15, 2021>

Article 13-4(Support for entry into foreign markets) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may promote the following projects to support the international cooperation and overseas market entry of environmental enterprises: <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Investigation and research for international cooperation in the environmental industry and overseas expansion;

2. International exchange of technologies, human resources and information related to the environmental industry;

3. Overseas promotional activities, including holding exhibitions and academic conferences related to the environmental industry;

4. Support for the operation of overseas local offices established by specialized institutions under Article 6-3(2) to support overseas market entry of environmental enterprises;

5. Support for capacity building, including provision of information, consultation, advisory services, and education regarding overseas expansion of environmental enterprises;

6. Support for environmental enterprises in winning overseas contracts.

(2) Where an environmental enterprise promotes a project falling under any of the following subparagraphs for reinforcement of the international competitiveness of environmental industry, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may subsidize or lend part of the required fund: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Development, design and construction of environmental facilities;

2. Penetration of environmental industry-related overseas market;

3. International exchange of environmental industry-related technologies, human resources and information;

4. Other projects for the reinforcement of international competitiveness of environmental industry which are prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Apr. 28, 2011]

[Moved from Article 13-3 <Jan. 27, 2016>]

Article 13-5 #

Deleted. <Jun. 15, 2021>

Article 14 #

Deleted. <Feb. 1, 2012>

Article 15(Registration of specialized environmental construction business) #

(1) A person who intends to run a specialized environmental construction business shall file for registration with the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor"), or with the head of a large city with a population of at least 500,000, excluding the Seoul Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, and a Special Self-Governing City, under Article 198(1) of the Local Autonomy Act (hereafter referred to as "large city"), after developing technical skills prescribed by Presidential Decree. The same shall apply to any modification of the registered matters prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 18, 2025; Mar. 25, 2025>

(2) Any of the following persons who has reported to a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a large city as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment shall be deemed to have registered a specialized environmental construction business under paragraph (1) for designing specialized environmental construction in the relevant field: <Amended on Apr. 12, 2010; Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. A person who has registered the establishment of an office of professional engineers to design noise and vibration control facilities as a profession under Article 6 the Professional Engineers Act;

2. A person who has reported an engineering business operator in order to engage in the business of designing noise and vibration control facilities under Article 21(1) of the Engineering Industry Promotion Act.

(3) If a person who has registered a specialized environmental construction business under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "specialized environmental constructor") executes a specialized environmental construction work, and if such construction falls under the construction works under subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Framework Act on the Construction Industry, he or she may continue such construction notwithstanding Article 9(1) of that Act. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011>

(4) No person falling under the following shall register or report a specialized environmental construction business under paragraph (1) or (2): <Amended on Jun. 9, 2009; Apr. 28, 2011; Feb. 3, 2015; Jan. 17, 2017; Apr. 13, 2021>

1. A minor, a person under adult guardianship, or a person under limited guardianship;

2. A person who, after having been declared as bankrupt by the court, remains not reinstated;

Article 15-2(Imposition and collection of penalty surcharges) #

(1) Where a Mayor/Do Governor is required to order suspension of business operations against a specialized environmental constructor under Article 15(5)5, and where such suspension is likely to undermine the public interest by causing delays in construction works and thereby causing inconvenience to residents in surrounding areas, environmental pollution, etc., the Mayor/Do Governor may, in lieu of suspension of business operations, impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding an amount equivalent to 5/100 of the sales prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, in cases prescribed by Presidential Decree where a specialized environmental constructor has no sales or where it is impracticable to calculate its sales, a penalty surcharge not exceeding 100 million won may be imposed.

(2) The amount of a penalty surcharge to be imposed under paragraph (1) based on the types and severity of violations and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree and may be increased or reduced by up to 1/2 of the amount.

(3) Where necessary to impose a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1), a Mayor/Do Governor may request the head of the competent tax office to provide taxation information by submitting a document stating the following:

1. Personal information of the relevant taxpayer;

2. Purpose of use of the taxation information;

3. Sales amount serving as the basis for imposing a penalty surcharge.

(4) Where a person liable to pay a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) fails to pay such penalty surcharge by the payment deadline, a Mayor/Do Governor shall, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, revoke the imposition of the penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) and shall order suspension of business operations under Article 15(5)5 or collect a penalty surcharge in accordance with the Act on the Collection of Local Administrative Penalty Charges; provided, where suspension of business operations cannot be ordered, a penalty surcharge shall be collected in accordance with the Act on the Collection of Local Administrative Penalty Charges.

(5) For the collection of delinquent penalty surcharges under paragraph (4), a Mayor/Do Governor may request the provision of any of the following materials or information from the persons specified therein, respectively; in such cases, a person so requested shall comply therewith unless there is a good cause:

1. A certified copy of building register under Article 38 of the Building Act: The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport;

Article 16(Continued construction by pollution control facility business operator whose registration has been revoked or whose business suspended) #

(1) A person whose registration has been revoked or whose business has been suspended under Article 15(5) may design or execute specialized environmental construction work only for a construction contract concluded before such disposition. In such cases, a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a large city may designate a construction supervisor and have him or her manage and supervise the construction, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A person who continues to design or execute specialized environmental construction work under paragraph (1) shall be deemed a specialized environmental constructor under this Act until he or she completes such design or construction. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Title Amended on Apr. 28, 2011]

[Moved from Article 19; previous Article 16 moved to Article 14 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 16-2(Designation of green enterprises) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate enterprises and workplace which contribute greatly to environmental improvement through remarkable decrease of pollutants, reduction of resources and energy, improvement of eco-friendliness of products, construction of green management systems, etc. as green enterprises, and may re-designate them when the respective designation periods expire. <Amended on Jan. 13, 2010; Apr. 28, 2011; Jan. 6, 2016; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The period of designation or re-designation for green enterprises under paragraph (1) shall be three years. <Amended on Jan. 13, 2010; Apr. 28, 2011>

(3) Where a person who has been designated as a green enterprise under paragraph (1) intends to modify matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment among the designated matters, he or she shall make a report of modification. <Amended on Jan. 13, 2010; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Matters necessary for the standards and procedures for designation and re-designation and the operation of green enterprises shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall consult with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. <Amended on Jan. 13, 2010; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall take any of the following measures for enterprises and workplace designated as green enterprises: <Amended on Jun, 9, 2009; Jan. 13, 2010; Apr. 28, 2011; Jun. 4, 2013; Jan. 27, 2016; Jan. 17, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Report in lieu of permission under Article 23 of the Clean Air Conservation Act and Article 33 of the Water Environment Conservation Act;

2. Exemption from reports or inspections under Article 82 of the Clean Air Conservation Act, Article 68 of the Water Environment Conservation Act, Article 47 of the Noise and Vibration Control Act, Article 39 of the Wastes Control Act, Article 43 of the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals, Article 49 of the Chemicals Control Act, Article 41 of the Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta, Article 69 of the Sewerage Act, Article 34 of the Construction Waste Recycling Promotion Act, Article 17 of the Malodor Prevention Act, Article 26-2 of the Soil Environment Conservation Act, and Article 29 of the Persistent Pollutants Control Act, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment;

Article 16-3(Cancellation of designation of green enterprise) #

(1) If a person who has been designated as a green enterprise falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke such designation; provided, such designation shall be revoked where he or she falls under subparagraph 1: <Amended on Jan. 13, 2010; Jan. 27, 2016; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where he or she has obtained such designation by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where he or she has failed to meet the standards for designation under Article 16-2(4);

3. Where he or she has violated any statutes or regulations related to the environment or performed an act unsuitable for an environment-friendly enterprise, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) With respect to a person whose designation has been revoked pursuant to paragraph (1) or a person recognized as falling under cases substantially identical thereto, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall not grant designation again until three years pass from the date of revocation of the relevant designation. In such cases, the standards for determining substantial identity shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Added on Jan. 27, 2016; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Title Amended on Jan. 13, 2010]

[Moved from Article 19-3 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 16-4(Registration of environment consulting companies) #

(1) An environmental consulting company which conducts the following duties (hereinafter referred to as "environmental consulting company") and intends to receive support under Article 16-5 shall file for registration with a Mayor/Do Governor after meeting the requirements for human resources prescribed by Presidential Decree; the same shall apply to any modification of important registered matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the trade name or technical professionals: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 18, 2025>

1. Survey and analysis of, and consultation and provision of, information on the environmental regulations at home and abroad (hereinafter referred to as "survey, etc.");

2. Consultation and provision of information on the procedures for environmental administration, such as registration, authorization and permission, etc. related to the environment, and the vicarious execution thereof;

3. Diagnosis of and survey, etc. on the environmental regulations in connection with the location, construction, operation and management of businesses and various facilities;

4. Diagnosis, survey, etc. and education for the prevention and optimum treatment of the environmental pollution;

5. Diagnosis, survey, etc. and education regarding the commencement and operation of an environmental enterprise;

6. Diagnosis, survey, etc. and education for eco-friendliness of a business;

7. Diagnosis, survey, etc. and education for the development and commercialization of environmental technologies;

8. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) No company which has an executive falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall register as an environmental consulting company: <Amended on Jun. 9, 2009; Feb. 3, 2015; Jan. 17, 2017>

1. A minor, or a person under adult guardianship;

2. A person who was declared bankrupt, but has not yet been reinstated;

3. A person in whose case three years have not passed since his or her imprisonment with labor as declared by the court in violation of this Act, the Clean Air Conservation Act, the Water Environment Conservation Act, the Noise and Vibration Control Act or the Soil Environment Conservation Act, was completely executed (including where it is deemed that the execution has been completed) or exempted;

Article 16-5(Support to environment consulting companies) #

The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and a Mayor/Do Governor may provide the following support to the registered environment consulting companies: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Provision of information related to environmental consulting;

2. Education of human resources engaged in environmental consulting.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 19-5 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 16-6(Cancellation of registration of environment consulting companies) #

(1) When a registered environmental consulting company falls under any of the following subparagraphs, a Mayor/Do Governor may revoke its registration or suspend the provision of support under this Act; provided, where it falls under subparagraph 1 or 2, the Minister of Environment shall revoke its registration: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011>

1. Where the agent has made registration by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where any of its executives falls under any subparagraph of Article 16-4(2); provided, the same shall not apply where such executive is replaced with a newly appointed executive within six months from the date when he or she falls under the grounds for disqualification;

3. Where it has failed to fulfill the requirements for human resources under Article 16-4(1);

4. Where it has lent its certificate of registration;

5. Where it has failed to commence business affairs under each subparagraph of Article 16-4(1) within one year from the date of registration or has failed to attain actual results of business for not less than one year continuously.

(2) When a registered environmental consulting company falls under any of the subparagraphs of paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may suspend the provision of support under this Act. <Added on Apr. 28, 2011; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) A Mayor/Do Governor may conduct guidance and inspections of environmental consulting companies or require such companies to submit materials, in order to verify whether any of the grounds specified in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) exists. <Added on Mar. 18, 2025>

(4) Matters necessary for the methods and procedures for guidance and inspections and submission of materials under paragraph (3) and other relevant details shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 19-6 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 16-7(Confidentiality) #

Current or former executive officers or employees of an environmental consulting company under Article 16-4(1) and persons who have participated in the business affairs under the subparagraphs of that paragraph shall neither disclose nor secretly use any secret obtained during the course of performing their duties.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 19-7 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 16-8(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #

(1) Any of the following enterprises shall prepare and disclose environmental information: <Added on Apr. 13, 2021>

1. Green enterprises under Article 16-2;

2. Stock-listed corporations under Article 9(15)3 of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act whose total assets as of the end of the most recent business year are at least the scale prescribed by Presidential Decree;

3. Other public institutions and enterprises having significant environmental impacts, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) Environmental information required to be prepared and disclosed under paragraph (1) shall be as follows; provided, environmental information constituting a trade secret defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act shall be excluded herefrom: <Amended on Apr. 13, 2021; Sep. 24, 2021>

1. Objectives and a major activity plan for such environmental management as protection of environment, saving of resources, reduction of discharge of environmental pollutants, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "environmental management");

2. Matters relating to the development and application of products and services for environmental management;

3. Matters relating to the outcome from environmental management;

4. Matters relating to the green management under Article 55 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis.

(3) Details, including the methods and procedures for the disclosure of environmental information under paragraphs (1) and (2), shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Apr. 13, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Apr. 28, 2011]

Article 16-9(Verification of environmental information) #

(1) To secure the reliability of the environmental information which is disclosed under Article 16-8, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may verify such environmental information. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where verification under paragraph (1) shows a discrepancy between the fact and the information made public, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request correction. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Details of verification of environmental information and the procedure thereof, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Apr. 28, 2011]

Article 16-10(Prohibition against unfair labeling or advertising) #

(1) Manufacturers, manufacturing sellers, or sellers (hereinafter referred to as "manufacturers, etc.") shall not engage in any of the following acts that may deceive or mislead consumers with respect to the environmental impact of products:

1. False or exaggerated labeling or advertising;

2. Deceptive labeling or advertising;

3. Unfairly comparative labeling or advertising;

4. Slanderous labeling or advertising.

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may inspect products in distribution or sale in order to examine whether or not their labels or advertisements placed by manufacturers, etc. violate paragraph (1). <Added on Jan. 19, 2016; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Details of the acts referred to in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jan. 19, 2016>

[This Article Added on Mar. 24, 2014]

[Title Amended on Jan. 19, 2016]

Article 16-11(Verification of details of labels and advertisements) #

(1) Manufacturers, etc. shall be able to verify matters concerning facts included in labels or advertisements they have placed with respect to the environmental impact of products.

(2) Where there exists a concern that manufacturers, etc., etc. may violate Article 16-10(1) in relation to matters concerning the environmental impact of products which are indicated in labels or advertisements, and therefore the verification prescribed in paragraph (1) is deemed necessary, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may require the relevant manufacturers’ etc. to submit related data by specifying details of his or her request. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Manufacturers, etc. who receive a request for the submission of data pursuant to paragraph (2) shall submit the data within 15 days after the receipt of such request to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment; provided, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may extend the period for submission if good cause is deemed to exist. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where manufacturers, etc. in receipt of a request for the submission of data pursuant to paragraph (2) continue placing labeling or advertising without submitting such data within the period for submission referred to in paragraph (3), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall order manufacturers to suspend placing labeling or advertising until they submit the data. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Where other agencies make a request for the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (3) in accordance with other Acts, including the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall comply with such request unless extenuating circumstances exist. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) Matters necessary for the subject of verification, scope of and requirements for data, data submission method, etc. under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 16-12(Corrective measures) #

(1) Where manufacturers, etc. engage in unfair labeling or advertising in violation of Article 16-10(1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may issue any of the following measures to the manufacturers: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Termination of the relevant violation;

2. Publication of the fact of receiving a corrective order;

3. Making corrective advertising;

4. Other measures necessary for the correction of such violation.

(2) Matters necessary for the publication of the fact of receiving a corrective order and the corrective advertisement pursuant to paragraph (1)2 and 3 shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Jan. 19, 2016]

Article 16-13(Penalty surcharges) #

(1) With respect to manufacturers, etc. who place labels or advertisements in violation of Article 16-10(1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding the amount equivalent to 2/100 of the turnover determined by Presidential Decree (referring to business profit in the case of manufacturers prescribed by Presidential Decree; hereinafter the same shall apply); provided, with respect to manufactures prescribed by Presidential Decree, where a violator has no turnover or where it is difficult to compute the turnover, a penalty surcharge may be imposed within the range of up to 500 million won. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment imposes a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1), he or she shall take into account each of the following: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Details and severity of violations;

2. The duration and frequency of violations;

3. The amount of gains accrued from violations.

(3) Where a corporation that is a manufacture, etc. that has violated Article 16-10(1) merges with another corporation, a penalty surcharge shall be imposed and collected by deeming that the violation committed by such corporation has been committed by the corporation surviving or incorporated after the merger.

(4) Articles 103 through 106 of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the extension of deadlines for payment of penalty surcharges, payment in installments, obligation of joint and several payment of penalty surcharges, collection of penalty surcharges, disposition for deferred payment, and additional payment for refund of penalty surcharges under this Act. In such cases, the "Fair Trade Commission" shall be deemed the "Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment" and "enterprise" shall be deemed to be "manufacturer, etc.". <Amended on Dec. 29, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The standards for the imposition of penalty surcharges pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Jan. 19, 2016]

Article 16-14(Pre-examination of labels and advertisements) #

(1) Before indicating matters related to the environmental impact of products in labels or advertisements, manufacturers, etc. may submit the contents of such labels or advertisements to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and ask him or her to review whether such contents violate Article 16-10(1). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review the contents of labels or advertisements submitted under paragraph (1) as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and notify the results thereof to manufacturers, etc. who have requested the review. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may require manufacturers, etc. who request a review under paragraph (1) to pay for the expenses necessary to conduct the review, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jan. 19, 2016]

Article 16-15(Reporting on facts of violation) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may pay a monetary award, within the budget, to a person who reports or informs of any act specified in the subparagraphs of Article 16-10(1) and submits materials evidencing such act. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Matters necessary for the scope of persons entitled to monetary awards, and the standards, methods, procedures, etc. for granting the awards under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Added on Mar. 31, 2020]

Article 17(Certification of eco-label) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may award a certification of an eco-label for the products which have improved their environmental impact compared to other products for the same use (including apparatus, materials and services affecting the environment; hereinafter the same shall apply). <Amended on Mar. 24, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A person who intends to obtain certification under paragraph (1) shall file an application with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Matters necessary for the designation and delisting of products subject to certification of an eco-label under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and the certification criteria for each product shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 20 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 18(Certification of environmental product declaration) #

(1) In order to enhance the eco-friendliness of materials and products, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may authorize a specialized institution designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in consultation with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (hereinafter referred to as "certification institution") to award a certification of environmental product declaration which quantitatively indicates the environmental impact information of products which are prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 16, 2013; Mar. 24, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The standards for designation of certification institutions shall be as follows:

1. To have an exclusive organization in charge of performing business affairs regarding certification of environmental product declaration:

2. To have not less than two examiners under Article 21 as well as a system for controlling such examiners.

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may direct and supervise the business affairs of certification institutions to attain the purposes of designation under paragraph (1) within the necessary extent. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) A person who intends to be designated as a certification institution shall file for an application for designation of certification institution with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Where he or she has designated an applicant under paragraph (4) as a certification institution, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall issue a written designation of certification institution for environmental declaration of products to the applicant. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) Deleted. <Jan. 27, 2016>

(7) Details necessary for the procedures for and methods, etc. of designation of certification institutions shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 21; (previous) Article 18 moved to Article 15 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 19(Revocation of designation of certification institutions) #

If a certification institution falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke such designation or order the suspension of all or part of its business for a prescribed period not exceeding one year; provided, the designation shall be revoked in the case of subparagraph 1 or 8: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where it has obtained such designation by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where it has failed to perform business affairs regarding certification for not less than one year consecutively from the date of designation, without good cause;

3. Where it has failed to meet the standards for designation under Article 18(2);

4. Deleted; <Jan. 27, 2016>

5. Where it has performed business affairs regarding certification in violation of the criteria and procedures for certification under Article 20(3);

6. Where it has failed to revoke certification notwithstanding the occurrence of any ground for the revocation of certification of environmental product declaration, in violation of Article 23(2);

7. Where it has failed to investigate the production process of materials and products or to collect materials and products necessary for tests and analysis in violation of Article 28(2);

8. Where it has performed business affairs regarding certification during the period of business suspension after having been ordered suspension of its business.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 22; previous Article 19 moved to Article 16 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 19-2 #

[Previous Article 19-2 moved to Article 16-2 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 19-3 #

[Previous Article 19-3 moved to Article 16-3 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 19-4 #

[Previous Article 19-4 moved to Article 16-4 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 19-5 #

[Previous Article 19-5 moved to Article 16-5 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 19-6 #

[Previous Article 19-6 moved to Article 16-6 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 19-7 #

[Previous Article 19-7 moved to Article 16-7 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 20(Application for certification of environmental product declaration) #

(1) Matters necessary for the selection and cancellation of materials and products subject to certification of environmental product declaration under Article 18(1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and guidelines for indicating environmental product declaration shall be governed by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A person who intends to obtain certification of environmental product declaration shall file for an application for certification of environmental product declaration to a certification institution.

(3) Where a certification institution has received an application for certification under paragraph (2), it shall examine whether the relevant environmental product declaration has been prepared in compliance with the guidelines for indicating environmental product declaration under paragraph (1) according to the procedures prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and shall award certification if it is prepared in compliance with such guidelines. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where a certification institution has awarded certification of environmental product declaration under paragraph (3), it shall report 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>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 23; previous Article 20 moved to Article 17 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 21(Certification examiners) #

(1) A person who conducts examinations for certification of environmental product declaration (hereinafter referred to as "examiner") or a person who intends to be an examiner shall receive education provided by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Ordnance of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The eligibility requirements, etc. for an examiner shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 24; previous Article 21 moved to Article 18 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 21-2(Operational rules) #

(1) Certification institutions, corporations or organizations entrusted with certification of an eco-label and the affairs in relation thereto under Article 31(2) (hereinafter referred to as "institutions entrusted with certifications"), and corporations or organizations entrusted with education of examiners, shall establish the rules necessary for the certification or education affairs and obtain the approval of the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment for such rules. The same shall apply to any modification thereof. <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Matters to be included in the rules necessary for the affairs regarding certification or education under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 24-2 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 22(Use of eco-label) #

(1) A person who has obtained certification of an eco-label or environmental product declaration under Article 17(1) or 20(3) (hereinafter referred to as "eco-label, etc.") may place such eco-label, etc. on packages, containers of materials and products as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, or advertise the certification of such eco-label, etc. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) No person, other than those who have obtained certification of an eco- label, etc. under Article 17(1) or 20(3), shall place an eco-label, etc. on packages, containers of materials and products, or advertise certification of an eco-label, etc.

(3) Where it is verified that any indication or advertisement regarding eco-labels, etc. of materials and products brokered for mail orders defined in subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Act on the Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce through a cyber is false, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall notify the relevant mail order brokerage intermediary (referring to a mail order broker under the Act on the Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce; hereinafter the same shall apply) thereof, and such broker notified thereof shall take measures such as correcting or deleting such false indication or advertisement. <Added on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may disclose on a website, etc. matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, including details of a violation, with respect to any person who violates paragraph (2) or (3). In such cases, when deciding whether to disclose such matters, the motive, severity, frequency, and consequences of the violation shall be considered. <Added on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Matters necessary for the methods and procedures for notification under paragraph (3) and the methods and procedures for disclosure under paragraph (4), and other relevant details, shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 25; previous Article 22 moved to Article 19 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 22-2(Validity period of certification of eco-labels, etc.) #

(1) The validity period of certification of eco-labels, etc. under Article 17(1) or 20(3) shall be 3 years; provided, where the expiration date of certification is separately prescribed due to amendment or repeal of the certification criteria under Article 17(3) or the preparation guidelines under Article 20(1), the validity period of certification may be prescribed not to exceed 3 years.

(2) A person who has obtained certification of an eco-label, etc. under Article 17(1) or 20(3) may file an application for an extension of the validity period before such period expires.

(3) Where an application for extension under paragraph (2) is filed, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may extend the validity period of certification of the relevant eco-label, etc., as follows; in such cases, the extended period shall be 3 years: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Eco-label: Where the certification criteria under Article 17(3) are met as of the expiration date of the validity period of certification;

2. Environmental product declaration: Where it is prepared in accordance with the preparation guidelines under Article 20(1) as of the expiration date of the validity period of certification.

(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (3), matters necessary for applications for an extension of the validity period of certification of eco-labels, etc., shall be prescribed by operational rules under Article 21-2.

[This Article Added on Mar. 18, 2025]

Article 23(Revocation of certification of eco-labels, etc.) #

(1) Where a person who has obtained certification of an eco-label under Article 17(1) falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may order the person to make corrections or revoke such certification; provided, in the case of subparagraph 1, the certification shall be revoked: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 31, 2020; Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Cases where the person has obtained such certification by fraud or other improper means;

2. Cases prescribed by Presidential Decree where the person who has obtained certification of an eco-label, or an executive officer or employee of such person violates environment-related statutes or regulations in producing or providing relevant products;

3. Cases where the person distributes products not meeting the certification criteria under Article 17(3), with an eco-label attached thereon;

4. Cases where the person fails to continuously distribute products for which certification of an eco-label has been obtained for a period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, in the absence of a natural disaster or any other unavoidable cause;

5. Cases where the person refuses, interferes with, or evades the submission of data, access, inspection, investigation, or collection under Article 28(2) without good cause.

6. Cases prescribed by Presidential Decree where any other ground rendering certification of the eco-label inappropriate exists.

(2) Where a person who has obtained certification of environmental product declaration under Article 20(3) falls under any of the following cases, a certification institution may revoke such certification; provided, the certification shall be revoked in the case of subparagraph 1: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Cases where the person has obtained such certification by fraud or other improper means;

2. Cases where the person distributes materials or products which differ from the details of certification under Article 20(3) with an environmental product declaration attached thereon;

3. Cases where the person fails to distribute materials and products for which certification of product declaration have been obtained for a period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, in the absence of a natural disaster or any other unavoidable cause;

Article 24(Removal of eco-labels, etc. and submission of implementation results) #

A person subject to a disposition of revocation of certification shall remove eco-labels, etc. of the relevant materials and products and submit the implementation results to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment within 30 days, as 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 24-2(Mutual recognition of eco-labels, etc. between states) #

(1) The Government may conclude an agreement with a foreign government with respect to the mutual recognition of eco-labels, etc.

(2) If an agreement has been concluded with a foreign government under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall publicly notify the details of such agreement. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 27-2; previous Article 24-2 moved to Article 21-2 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 25(Fees) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, certification institutions and institutions entrusted with certifications may collect application fees for application from the persons who have applied for certification of eco-label under Article 17(2) or 20(2), and royalties from persons who use eco-label, etc. under Article 22. In such cases, application fees and royalties collected by certification institutions or institutions entrusted with certifications shall be the revenue of such certification institutions or institutions entrusted with certifications. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Certification institutions or institutions entrusted with certifications which collect application fees and royalties under paragraph (1) may use such revenue only for operating expenses and publicity expenses regarding certification of eco-labels, etc. and other purposes prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(3) Matters necessary for the standards for collection, etc. of application fees and royalties under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 28; previous Article 25 moved to Article 22 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 26(Support for development of criteria for certification of eco-labels) #

Where a certification institution or an institution entrusted with certifications promotes the following projects, the Government may contribute necessary funds or provide other necessary support: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011>

1. Development of the standards for certification under Article 17 or 18;

2. Development of techniques for the analysis of eco-friendliness in the production stage, distribution stage, consumption stage and disuse stage, etc. of materials and products;

3. Establishment and operation of information networks for the promotion of production and use of eco-friendly materials and products;

4. Diffusion of the development and spread of product designs and production techniques by taking the environment into consideration;

5. Education for proper use of eco-labels, etc. and management of certified products;

6. Enhancement of professionalism in the affairs related to certification of eco-labels, etc.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 30; previous Article 26 moved to Article 23 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 27(Cultivation of environmental technology professionals) #

In order to foster human resources necessary to advance environmental technologies, the Government shall formulate plans for fostering environmental technology professionals every five years, and take measures for strengthening training of environmental technology professionals, and securing and managing environmental technology professionals, and for other relevant matters.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 27, 2016]

Article 27-2 #

[Previous Article 27-2 moved to Article 24-2 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 28(Follow-up management) #

(1) The head of a related central administrative agency may require any of the following persons to report on the present status of the conduct of related business and assign related public officials to investigate necessary matters or make inquiries to interested persons to confirm the use of the government-contributed funds, etc.: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Jul. 16, 2013; Jan. 27, 2016; Mar. 18, 2025>

1. Research institutions, etc. conducting development projects under Article 5;

2. Persons who are provided with financial support, subsidies, or loans under Article 6(2), 6-2, 6-3, 7(6), 10(5), or 13-4(2).

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may, in cases prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, allow any of the following persons to submit necessary data or have related public officials gain access to an office, place of business or other necessary places to inspect related documents, facilities, equipment, etc., and may authorize a certification institution or an institution entrusted with certifications to investigate the manufacturing process of materials and products or to collect materials and products necessary for tests and analysis for a person falling under subparagraph 2: <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Jul. 16, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Green environment support centers under Article 10;

2. Persons who place an eco-label, etc. or advertise the certification of such eco-label, etc. under Article 22(1).

(3) In cases prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a large city may require specialized environmental constructors to submit necessary data or have related public officials gain access to offices, places of business or other necessary places to inspect related documents, facilities, equipment, etc. <Added on Jul. 16, 2013; Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Public officials and related personnel of certification institutions or institutions entrusted with certifications who make investigations or inquiries or who access, inspect, investigate or collect pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (3) shall carry a certificate indicating their authority and produce it to interested persons. <Amended on Jul. 16, 2013>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 32; previous Article 28 moved to Article 25 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 29(Criteria for administrative dispositions) #

The criteria for administrative dispositions under Articles 15(5), 16-6, and 19 shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 33 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 30(Hearings) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a large city shall hold a hearing in advance, if he or she intends to impose the following dispositions: <Amended on Jul. 16, 2013; Mar. 24, 2014; Jan. 19, 2016; Jan. 27, 2016; Apr. 13, 2021; Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Revocation of a new technology certification or technology verification under Article 7-4;

2. Revocation of the designation of an excellent environmental enterprise under Article 7-6(5);

3. Revocation of the designation of a green environment center under Article 10-2(6);

3-2. Revocation of the designation of a dedicated institution under Article 10-5(4);

4. Revocation of the registration, or the suspension of the business, of a specialized environmental construction business under Article 15(5);

5. Revocation of the designation of a green enterprise under Article 16-3;

6. Revocation of the designation of an environmental consulting company under Article 16-6;

6-2. Corrective order under Article 16-12;

6-3. Imposition of a penalty surcharge under Article 16-13;

7. Revocation of the designation, or the suspension of business operations, of a certification institution under Article 19;

8. Revocation of certification of eco-labels, etc. under Article 23(1).

(2) If a certification institution intends to revoke a certification of environmental product declaration as prescribed in Article 23(2), it shall give the recipient of certification an opportunity to submit his or her opinion.

(3) Articles 22(4) through (6), and 27 of the Administrative Procedures Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the submission of the opinion under paragraph (2). In such cases, "administrative agency" and "administrative agency concerned" shall be deemed "certification institution" respectively.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 28, 2011]

Article 31(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #

(1) Part of the authority of the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment under this Act may be delegated to the head of a subordinate agency or a Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025>

(2) Part of the duties of the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment under this Act may be entrusted to the Korea Environment Corporation established under the Korea Environment Corporation Act, the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, the Korea Water Resources Corporation established under the Korea Water Resources Corporation Act, or a corporation or organization related to environmental industries. <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 35; previous Article 31 moved to Article 27 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 32(Legal fiction as public officials for purposes of applying penalty provisions) #

Any executive officer or employee of an institution, corporation, or organization falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be deemed a public official when applying the penalty provisions under Articles 129 through 132 of the Criminal Act with regard to the delegated authority: <Amended on Feb. 6, 2009; Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The evaluation board under Article 10-2(2);

2. The Association under Article 11;

3. A corporation or organization entrusted with the authority of the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment under Article 31(2);

4. Deleted; <Apr. 28, 2011>

5. Deleted. <Apr. 28, 2011>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 36; previous Article 32 moved to Article 28 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 33(Reward) #

In order to promote the development and spread of environmental technologies and foster the environmental industry, the Government may reward any of the following persons: <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025>

1. A person who has developed excellent products in the field of environmental technology or successfully commercialized such technology;

2. A person who has adopted design-for-environment techniques for products and services;

2. A person who has manufactured or provided eco-friendly products in manufacturing stage, distribution stage, consumption stage, and disuse stage, etc.;

4. A person who has contributed to the enhancement of efficiency and economic feasibility in the installation and operation of environmental facilities.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 37; previous Article 33 moved to Article 29 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 34(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for up to 3 years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won:

1. A person who places an eco-label, etc. or any other similar mark, or advertises certification of an eco-label, etc. without having obtained such certification, in violation of Article 22(2);

2. A person who fails to remove an eco-label, etc. in violation of Article 24.

[This Article Added on Mar. 18, 2025]

[Previous Article 34 moved to Article 35 <Mar. 18, 2025>]

Article 35(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for up to 2 years or by a fine not exceeding 20 million won: <Amended on Jul. 16, 2013; Mar. 24, 2014; Jan. 19, 2016; Mar. 31, 2020>

1. A person who places any indication of a new technology certification or technology verification, or similar mark, or who advertises thereon without obtaining a new technology certification or technology verification, in violation of Article 7-2(2);

2. A person who discloses or secretly uses any secret obtained during the course of performing his or her duties, in violation of Article 16-7;

3. A person who places unfair labeling or advertising, in violation of Article 16-10(1)1 and 2;

4. A person who continues placing labeling or advertising on the environmental impact of products, failing to comply with the suspension order under Article 16-11(4);

4-2. A person who fails to comply with an order under Article 16-12(1) (limited to cases where Article 16-10(1)3 and 4 were violated);

5. Deleted; <Mar. 18, 2025>

6. Deleted. <Mar. 18, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 34; previous Article 35 moved to Article 36 <Mar. 18, 2025>]

Article 36(Penalty provisions) #

A person who conducts specialized environmental construction business without registration or registration of modification, in violation of Article 15(1) and (2), or a person who conducts specialized environmental construction business during the period of business suspension, shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for up to 1 year or by a fine not exceeding 10 million won. <Amended on Apr. 28, 2011; Mar. 24, 2014>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 35; previous Article 36 moved to Article 37 <Mar. 18, 2025>]

Article 37(Joint penalty provisions) #

(1) If the representative, an agent, or an employee of, or any other person employed by, a corporation commits any violation under Articles 34 through 36 in conducting the business affairs of the corporation, the corporation shall be punished by a fine prescribed in that Article in addition to punishing the violator accordingly; provided, this shall not apply if the corporation has not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision regarding the relevant business affairs to prevent such violation. <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025>

(2) If an agent or employee of, or any other person employed by, an individual commits any violation under Articles 34 through 36 in conducting the business affairs of the individual, the individual shall be punished by a fine prescribed in that Article in addition to punishing the violator accordingly; provided, this shall not apply if the individual has not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision regarding the relevant business affairs to prevent such violation. <Amended on Mar. 18, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 21, 2008]

[Moved from Article 36; previous Article 37 moved to Article 38 <Mar. 18, 2025>]

Article 38(Administrative fines) #

(1) Any of the following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 3 million won: <Amended on Mar. 24, 2014>

1. A person who fails to disclose environmental information, in violation of Article 16-8(1);

2. A person who fails to correct the environmental information despite the request for correction thereof under Article 16-9(2);

3. A person who fails to submit verification data on the environmental impact of products within the period for submission under Article 16-11(3).

(2) Any of the following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 1 million won: <Amended on Jul. 16, 2013; Jan. 27, 2016; Mar. 31, 2020>

1. A person who fails to submit implementation results in violation of Article 24;

2. A person who refuses, interferes with, or evades presentation of data, access, inspections or investigations, or collection under Article 28(2);

3. A person who refuses, interferes with, or evades the presentation of data, access, or inspections under Article 28(3).

(3) In cases prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a large city may require specialized environmental constructors to submit necessary data or have related public officials gain access to offices, places of business or other necessary places to inspect related documents, facilities, equipment, etc. <Added on Jul. 16, 2013; Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 28, 2011]

[Moved from Article 37 <Mar. 18, 2025>]

[Previous Article 38 moved to Article 34 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 39 #

[Previous Article 39 moved to Article 35 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 40 #

[Previous Article 40 moved to Article 36 <Mar. 21, 2008>]

Article 41 #

[Previous Article 41 moved to Article 37 <Mar. 21, 2008>]