ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE ACT ON THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF TIMBERS

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters mandated by the Act on the Sustainable Use of Timbers and matters necessary for enforcing said Act.

Article 2(Percentage of timber in timber products) #

(1) "Ratio not less than that prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Sustainable Use of Timbers (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") means 50 percent.

(2) "Rate not less than that prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 11 of Article 2 of the Act means 60 percent.

(3) Detailed methods of calculating the percentages specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service.

Article 3(Insignificant modifications of comprehensive plans) #

"Where any change is made to insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso to Article 6(3) of the Act means any of the following:

1. Where the time for implementing any project specified in a comprehensive plan for sustainable use of timber formulated pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "comprehensive plan") is changed within the period for formulating and implementing the comprehensive plan;

2. Where the quantity specified in a short- and long-term plan for the supply of and demand for timber and timber products provided for in Article 6(2)3 of the Act is changed within the limit of 10/100;

3. Where the amount of investment specified in a mid- and long-term investment plan to nurture the timber market and timber industry provided for in Article 6(2)4 of the Act is changed within the limit of 10/100;

4. Where any change is made to reflect in a comprehensive plan the findings of an annual survey on statistics and actual conditions conducted pursuant to Article 8(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "survey on statistics and actual conditions").

Article 4(Scope and method of surveys on statistics and actual conditions) #

(1) The scope of a survey on statistics and actual conditions shall be as follows: <Amended on May 29, 2017>

1. The status of timber products produced, distributed, and consumed as well as price trends of such products;

2. Deleted; <Jul. 23, 2024>

3. Deleted. <Jul. 23, 2024>

4. The status of indication of the amount of carbon storage under Article 15(1) of the Act;

5. The status of timber products preferentially purchased under Article 19 of the Act;

6. The status of timber production businesses registered under Article 24(1) of the Act;

7. The status of operation of the wood-structural engineer qualification system under Article 32(1) of the Act;

8. Any other matters the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service deems necessary.

(2) A survey on statistics and actual conditions shall be conducted regularly every year; but may be conducted irregularly if an additional survey is required due to rapid changes, etc. in the timber market.

(3) A survey on statistics and actual conditions shall be conducted in the form of an on-the-spot survey, but may be conducted along with an indirect survey based on documents, etc.

Article 5(Composition of Committee on Use of Timber) #

(1) The Vice Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall serve as the Chairperson of the Committee on Sustainable Use of Timber established pursuant to Article 9(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee on Use of Timber"), and the Vice Chairperson of the Committee shall be elected from among its members.

(2) The members of the Committee on Use of Timber shall be appointed or commissioned by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service from among the following persons: <Amended on May 14, 2024; Jul. 23, 2024>

1. A person recommended by the head of the relevant agency from among public officials in the Senior Executive Service or public officials of Grade III or higher who belong to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Korea Customs Service, the Korea Heritage Service, or to the Korea Forest Service;

2. A person recommended by the head of the relevant corporation or organization from among executive officers and employees of any of the following corporations or organizations:

a. The Timber Culture Promotion Association established pursuant to Article 16(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Timber Culture Promotion Association");

b. Deleted; <Jul. 28, 2016>

c. The National Forestry Cooperative Federation defined in subparagraph 4 of Article 2 of the Forestry Cooperatives Act (hereinafter referred to as the "National Forestry Cooperative Federation");

d. The Korea Forestry Promotion Institute established pursuant to Article 29-2 of the Forestry and Mountain Villages Development Promotion Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Korea Forestry Promotion Institute");

e. Any other timber-related organization, which is a non-profit, non-governmental organization defined in Article 2 of the Assistance for Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organizations Act;

3. Any of the following persons with extensive knowledge and experience on the timber industry or use of timber:

a. A person who is currently holding or once held an assistant professorship or a higher position at any school defined in subparagraphs 1 through 6 of Article 2 of the Higher Education Act;

b. A person who has at least ten years of experience in any relevant field.

(3) The term of office of a member provided for in paragraph (2)2 or 3 among members of the Committee on Use of Timber shall be two years; provided, the term of office of any member filling a vacancy shall be the remainder of his or her predecessor's term of office.

Article 6(Operation of Committee on Use of Timber) #

(1) The Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber shall represent the Committee on Use of Timber and exercise overall control of its affairs.

(2) Where the Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber is unable to perform his or her duties due to extenuating circumstances, the Vice Chairperson and a member designated in advance by the Chairperson shall act for the Chairperson in such order.

(3) The Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber shall convene and preside over the meetings of the Committee.

(4) Meetings of the Committee on Use of Timber shall commence with the attendance of a majority of all incumbent members, and resolutions shall be adopted with a consent of a majority of the members present.

(5) Where deemed necessary for deliberations, the Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber may request relevant persons or experts in any relevant field to attend any of its meetings to hear their opinions.

(6) The Committee on Use of Timber shall have one secretary to conduct its affairs, who shall be appointed by the Chairperson from among public officials of the Korea Forest Service.

(7) Except as otherwise expressly provided for in paragraphs (1) through (6), matters necessary for operating the Committee on Use of Timber shall be determined by the Chairperson by a resolution of the Committee on Use of Timber.

Article 7(Subcommittees) #

(1) The Committee on Use of Timber shall have a subcommittee to carry out the following affairs: <Amended on January 7, 2020>

1. Subcommittee on promotion of use of timber:

a. Deliberating on a comprehensive plan formulated or modified pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Act;

b. Deleted; <Jul. 23, 2024>

c. Any other duties delegated by the Committee on Use of Timber.

2. Subcommittee on competitiveness of timber industry:

a. Examination concerning the designation of safe timber products and hazardous timber products under Article 17(3) and (4) of the Act;

b. Examination concerning the designation of new technology for timber products under Article 18(1) of the Act;

c. Examining the criteria for standard dimensions and quality of timber products specified in Article 20 of the Act;

d. Any other duties delegated by the Committee on Use of Timber.

3. Timber education subcommittee:

a. Examination on the designation of an institution for training experts in timber education under Article 10-2(1) of the Act;

b. Examination on certification of timber education programs under Article 10-3(3) of the Act;

c. Any other duties delegated by the Committee on Use of Timber.

(2) Where deemed necessary for efficient conduct of affairs, the Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber may adjust the duties assigned to each subcommittee by a resolution of the Committee on Use of Timber, notwithstanding paragraph (1).

(3) Each subcommittee shall be comprised of not more than ten members, including one chairperson, in consideration of gender. <Amended on January 7, 2020>

(4) The Vice Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall serve as the chairperson of each subcommittee; and members of each subcommittee shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber from among members of the Committee on Use of Timber, but no civilian member of the Committee on Use of Timber shall be redundantly appointed as a member of any subcommittee.

(5) Meetings of each subcommittee shall commence with the attendance of a majority of all incumbent members, and resolutions shall be adopted with a consent of a majority of the members present.

Article 8(Disqualification of, challenge to, and refrainment by members of Committee on Use of Timber) #

(1) Any member of the Committee on Use of Timber shall be excluded from deliberations and decisions on the relevant agenda item if:

1. The member or a person who is or was his or her relative under Article 777 of the Civil Act is a party (including executive officers, if the party is a corporation or organization; hereinafter the same shall apply in this Article) to the agenda item or is a joint right holder or obligor with a party to the agenda item;

2. The member (including the relevant corporation or organization if the member belongs to the corporation or organization; hereinafter the same shall apply in this Article) is or was an agent of a party to the agenda item;

3. The member has or had an employment relationship with a party to the agenda item within the last three years;

4. The member has provided advice or service or conducted research or an appraisal in relation to the agenda item.

(2) Where the circumstances indicate that it would be impracticable to expect fair deliberations and decisions from a member of the Committee on Use of Timber, a party to the relevant agenda item may file a request for a challenge to such member with the Committee on Use of Timber, and the Committee shall make a decision on such request by resolution. In such cases, the challenged member shall abstain from such resolution.

(3) Where a member of the Committee on Use of Timber constitutes grounds for exclusion specified in any subparagraph of paragraph (1), he or she shall personally refrain from deliberations or decisions on the relevant agenda item.

Article 9(Dismissal of members of Committee on Use of Timber) #

The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service may dismiss a member of the Committee on Use of Timber or revoke his or her appointment if:

1. The member becomes unable to perform his or her duties due to his or her mental or physical disorder;

2. The member is deemed unfit as a member due to neglecting his or her duties, losing dignity, or other reasons;

3. The member fails to refrain from relevant deliberations or decisions though he or she falls under any subparagraph of Article 8(1).

Article 10(Expert members) #

(1) The Committee on Use of Timber shall have not more than five part-time expert members.

(2) Expert members shall be commissioned by the Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber from among persons with extensive knowledge and experience on the timber industry or any field using timber.

(3) Expert members shall perform the following duties in connection with professional surveys and research on the affairs of the Committee on Use of Timber:

1. Reviewing agenda items of the Committee on Use of Timber and subcommittees;

2. Reviewing measures to implement matters on which resolutions have been adopted by the Committee on Use of Timber or by subcommittees;

3. Collecting data relating to the affairs of the Committee on Use of Timber and subcommittees;

4. Conducting any other surveys and research on matters requested by the Committee on Use of Timber and subcommittees.

(4) The term of office of each expert member shall be two years.

(5) Where an expert member falls under subparagraph 1 or 2 of Article 9, the Chairperson of the Committee on Use of Timber may revoke the appointment of such expert.

Article 10-2(Entrusting management of timber culture experience centers) #

(1) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service and the head of a local government may entrust the management of a timber culture experience center to any of the following corporations or organizations pursuant to Article 10(4) of the Act:

1. The Timber Culture Promotion Association;

2. The National Forestry Cooperative Federation or a cooperative defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Forestry Cooperatives Act;

3. Any other institution recognized and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service or the head of the relevant local government as having expertise in efficiently managing timber culture experience centers.

(2) Upon entrusting the management of a timber culture experience center pursuant to paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service or the head of the relevant local government shall publicly notify the name of an entrusted corporation, organization, etc., details of entrusted business, etc. on the website of the Korea Forest Service or the local government.

[This Article Added on Sep. 19, 2017]

Article 10-3(Requirements for Designation, or Revocation of Institutions for Training Specialists in Timber Education) #

(1) "Requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 10-2(1) of the Act means those satisfying all of the following requirements:

1. It shall be any of the following institutions, facilities, or organizations related to timber education:

a. Schools defined in subparagraphs of Article 2 of the Higher Education Act;

b. A corporation established under the Civil Act, a company incorporated under the Commercial Act, or a non-profit non-governmental organization registered under the Assistance for Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organizations Act;

c. Institutions operated by the State or local governments;

2. It shall have facilities and manpower prescribed in Appendix 1;

3. It shall formulate a systematic operation plan for specialized courses on timber education under article 10-5(1) of the Act.

(2) In addition to the matters prescribed in paragraph (1), necessary matters concerning facilities, manpower, specialized courses for timber education, etc. of institutions for training experts in timber education shall be determined and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service.

(3) "Where a person has violated matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 10-2(2)3 of the Act means providing timber education within one year without justifiable grounds after he or she has been designated as an institution for nurturing timber education experts pursuant to Article 10-2(1) of the Act. It means a case where a specialized course is not established or an institution for training experts in timber education has not been operated for at least one year.

[This Article Added on Jan. 7, 2020]

Article 10-4(Change of Certification of Timber Education Program) #

"Minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 10-4(1) of the Act means matters falling under any of the following subparagraphs which do not impede the achievement of the operational objectives of the certified timber education program:

1. The name of a person who has obtained certification (referring to the name of the representative in cases of a corporation);

2. The number of persons who receive education under the operation of the timber education program;

3. Other matters determined and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service.

[This Article Added on Jan. 7, 2020]

Article 10-5(Qualifications for applying for qualification examination for timber education specialists and examination subjects) #

(1) The qualifications for and test subjects of the qualification examination for timber education specialists pursuant to Article 10-5(1) of the Act are as specified in Appendix 1-2. <Added on Jul. 23, 2024>

(2) "Qualification certificate for timber education specialists prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 10-5(3) of the Act means the qualification certificate for timber education specialists specified in the attached form. <Amended on Jul. 23, 2024>

(3) Pursuant to Article 10-5(7) of the Act, there shall be at least 2 timber education specialists assigned to the timber culture experience center. <Amended on Jul. 23, 2024>

(4) Except as otherwise expressly provided for in paragraphs (1) through (3), matters necessary for the administration, etc. of qualification examinations for timber education specialists shall be determined and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service. <Added on Jul. 23, 2024>

[This Article Added on Jan. 7, 2020]

[Title Amended on Jul. 23, 2024]

Article 11(Measurement and publishing of timber culture index) #

(1) The timber culture indices provided for in Article 11 of the Act shall be measured by determining detailed items of examination and the weight for each individual item based on the following matters and by compiling and aggregating data collected through relevant statistical surveys, surveys by questionnaire, etc.:

1. The level of infrastructure for the use of timber established;

2. The degree of the use of timber facilitated;

3. The degree of recognition of timber culture;

4. Any other matters the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service deems necessary.

(2) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") shall publish timber culture indices measured pursuant to Article 11 of the Act in a general daily newspaper or general weekly newspaper defined in subparagraph 1a or c of Article 2 of the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers, which is mainly circulated nationwide, on an online newspaper defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the same Act, or on the website of the relevant agency for at least one week.

Article 12 #

Deleted. <Jul. 23, 2024>

Article 13 #

Deleted. <May 29, 2017>

Article 14(Indication and measurement of amount of carbon storage) #

(1) "Timber products prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 15(1) of the Act means timber products produced by using timber harvested in the Republic of Korea, excluding timber products used for fuel, such as wood pellets, wood briquettes, wood briquettes, agglomerated wood charcoal, and wood charcoal. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2023>

(2) "Timber specialized agency prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 15(2) of the Act means any of the following agencies:

1. The Timber Culture Promotion Association;

2. The National Forestry Cooperative Federation;

3. The Korea Forestry Promotion Institute.

Article 15(Timber products subject to safety evaluation and criteria for safety evaluation) #

(1) The safety evaluation of timber products provided for in Article 17(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "safety evaluation") shall be conducted for any of the following timber products among those specified in the subparagraphs of Article 19-4(1): <Amended on Dec. 19, 2023>

1. A timber product the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service deems likely to cause physical or chemical damage to people and the environment if produced, sold, or used;

2. A timber product with respect to which an application for safety evaluation has been filed, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(2) The standards for safety assessment shall be as follows: <Amended July 2, 2019>

1. Appropriateness of the standard dimensions, dryness, strength, etc. of a timber product;

2. Degree of resistance of wood products to wood-rotting fungi, pests, uv rays, moisture, fire, etc.;

3. Types and quantities of hazardous substances emitted from a timber product as well as the degree of impact thereof on human health and the environment.

(3) The detailed evaluation items for the criteria for safety evaluation provided for in paragraph (2), details of evaluation, scoring, etc. shall be prescribed and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service.

Article 16(Method, procedures for conducting safety evaluation) #

(1) A safety evaluation shall be conducted by gathering and analyzing samples of a timber product and then by examining whether the samples comply with the criteria provided for in Article 15(2) and (3).

(2) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall notify the producer or importer of the relevant timber product or the person who has filed an application under Article 15(1)2 (hereinafter referred to as "persons involved in the relevant timber product") of the results of a safety evaluation.

(3) If any person involved in the relevant timber product is dissatisfied with the results of a safety evaluation, he or she shall submit a written objection to the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service within 30 days after receipt of a notice under paragraph (2), as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(4) Upon receipt of a written objection under paragraph (3), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall re-conduct a safety evaluation of the relevant timber product within 30 days after receipt thereof; and notify the persons involved in the relevant timber product of the results of the safety evaluation, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(5) The term of validity of a safety evaluation shall be three years from the date the results of the safety evaluation are notified pursuant to paragraph (2) or (4).

Article 17(Standards for designating safe timber products and hazardous timber products) #

(1) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service may designate a timber product as a safe timber product under Article 17(3) of the Act if it obtains no less than the score prescribed and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service or as a hazardous timber product under Article 17(4) of the Act if it obtains a score lower than that in a safety evaluation conducted in compliance with the scoring criteria provided for in Article 15(3), subject to examination by the Committee on Use of Timber.

(2) Upon designating a safe timber product or a hazardous timber product pursuant to paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall notify the producer or importer of the relevant timber product of such designation.

(3) To issue an order to restrict the production or sale or to dispose of a hazardous timber product designated as such under paragraph (1), pursuant to Article 17(4) of the Act, the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall issue the producer or importer of the relevant timber product a written order stating the following matters: <Amended on Mar. 6, 2018>

1. The timber product subject to the order;

2. Details of and grounds for the order;

3. The period for complying with the order.

(4) A person in receipt of an order to dispose of a timber product under Article 17(4) shall dispose of the relevant timber product in accordance with the standards and method for treatment specified in Article 13 of the Wastes Control Act. <Amended on Mar. 6, 2018>

(5) Upon expiration of the period for complying with an order provided for in paragraph (3), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall verify whether the relevant person has complied with the order.

Article 18(Designation of new technology for timber products) #

(1) "Technology which meets the criteria prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 18(1) of the Act means any of the following technologies:

1. The first technology developed in the Republic of Korea, which is new, advanced, environmentally friendly, and applicable to the field;

2. Technology introduced from abroad and improved, which is new, advanced, environmentally friendly, and applicable to the field in the Republic of Korea;

3. Technology used for timber products, among technologies certified as new technologies pursuant to Article 15-2(1) of the Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act.

(2) Details about the designation of new technology for timber products under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service.

Article 18-2(Preferential purchase) #

(1) "Amount prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 19(2) of the Act means the lowest amount of government procurement contracts concluded through international tendering procedures determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Economy and Finance pursuant to the main sentence of Article 4(1) of the Act on Contracts to Which the State Is a Party. <Amended on Dec. 30, 2025>

(2) "Percentage prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 19(2) of the Act means the ratio prescribed in Appendix 1-3. <Amended on June 2, 2020>

(3) A person who intends to obtain confirmation of domestic timber or domestic timber products (referring to timber products processed in the Republic of Korea using timber and timber raw materials produced domestically; hereinafter the same shall apply) pursuant to Article 19(3) of the Act shall file a written application for confirmation of domestic timber and domestic timber products in the form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, with the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, along with the following documents: <Added on Jul. 23, 2024>

1. Domestic timber: The person shall submit the documents classified as follows:

a. For timber harvested from the State forests as defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 4 of the Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act: Documents verifying that it is a State forest product sold pursuant to Article 27 of the State Forest Administration and Management Act;

b. For timber harvested from public forests under subparagraph 2 of Article 4 of the Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act: Documents verifying that it is a public forest product sold pursuant to Article 36 of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act;

c. Timber harvested from private forests under subparagraph 3 of Article 4 of the Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act: Documents verifying the permission for, or acceptance of a report on, the felling of standing timber under Article 36 of the Creation and Management of Forest Resources Act;

2. Domestic timber products: The following documents shall be submitted:

a. Documents proving the purchase and utilization of domestic timber or domestic timber materials;

b. Documents attesting that the timber products have been produced in compliance with the standards for specifications and quality determined and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service pursuant to Article 20(1) of the Act (limited to timber products referred to in the subparagraphs of Article 19-4(1)).

Article 18-3(Import declaration) #

"Timber or timber products prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 19-2(1) of the Act means timber or timber products prescribed in Appendix 1-4.

[This Article Wholly Amended on May 16, 2023]

Article 18-4(Import inspection) #

(1) "Standards prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as manpower and organization, etc." in the former part of Article 19-3(1) of the Act means standards for designation under Appendix 1-5. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2020; May 16, 2023>

(2) Where the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service has designated an inspection agency pursuant to Article 19-3(1) of the Act, he or she shall post such fact on the Internet website of the Korea Forest Service. <Added on Jun. 2, 2020>

(3) The provisions of Article 17(3) through (5) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the method, procedure, etc. of an order to suspend, return, or discard a sale under Article 19-3(3) of the Act. In such cases, "timber products endangered for safety" in the parts other than subparagraphs of Article 17(3) means "wood or timber products for which it has not been proven that they have been legally felled", and "producers or importers of the relevant timber products" means "importers of the relevant timber or timber products." <Amended on Jun. 2, 2020>

[This Article Added on Mar. 6, 2018]

[Moved from Article 18-3 <May 28, 2018>]

Article 19(Qualifications of timber grade evaluators) #

"Qualifications prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 19-4(1) of the Act means the qualifications specified in Appendix 1-6. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2020; May 16, 2023>

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

[The previous Article 19 moved to Article 19-4 <Aug. 21, 2018>]

Article 19-2(Standards for revocation and suspension of qualifications of timber grade evaluators) #

(1) "Cases of violating matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 19-4(2)4 of the Act means cases of violating the handling period prescribed in the proviso to Article 19-4(4) and Article 19-4(5).

(2) Detailed standards for the revocation of qualifications and suspension of qualifications of timber grade assessors shall be as specified in Appendix 1-7. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2020; May 16, 2023>

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

Article 19-3(Business affairs of timber grade evaluators) #

"Business affairs prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 3 of Article 19-5 of the Act means any of the following business affairs:

1. Guidance on compliance with quality indications of timber products;

2. Technical guidance on the production and quality management of timber products;

3. Technical guidance on the selection and packaging of timber products;

4. Other business affairs necessary for improving the quality of timber products, protecting consumers, and establishing the distribution order as prescribed by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service.

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

Article 19-4(Timber products subject to public notification of criteria for standard dimensions and quality and inspection) #

(1) "Timber Products prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 20(1) of the Act means the following timber products: <Amended on Dec. 19, 2023>

1. Sawn timber;

2. Anti-decay wood;

3. Fire retardant treated wood;

4. Wood plastic composite;

5. Laminated wood;

6. Plywood;

7. Particle board;

8. Fiber boards;

9. Oriented strand board;

10. Wood flooring;

11. Wood Pellets;

12. Wood chips;

13. Wooden briquettes;

14. Agglomerated wood charcoal;

15. Wood charcoal.

(2) "Timber products prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as wood pellets" in the proviso of Article 20(2) of the Act means the timber products specified in paragraph (1)11 through 15. <Added on May 29, 2017; Jul. 23, 2024>

(3) The standards for designation and recognition of institutions under Article 20(2)2 and 3 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "standards and quality inspection institutions") shall be as specified in Appendix 1-8. In such cases, detailed standards for designation and recognition shall be determined and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service. <Amended on Aug. 21, 2018; Jun. 2, 2020; May 16, 2023>

(4) A person who intends to undergo an inspection of standard dimensions and quality prescribed in Article 20(2) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "inspection of standard dimensions and quality") conducted by any agency prescribed in Article 20(2)1 through 3 of the Act and a timber grade evaluator prescribed in subparagraph 5 of the same paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "inspection agency") shall submit an application for inspection to the relevant inspection agency, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; provided, where a person files an application for inspection of standard dimensions and quality with a timber grade evaluator prescribed in Article 20(2)5 of the Act, the handling period prescribed in paragraph (5) shall be separately determined through consultation. <Amended on May 29, 2017; Aug. 21, 2017>

Article 19-5(Procedures for designating and authorizing agencies to inspect standard dimensions and quality) #

(1) A person who intends to be designated and authorized as an agency to inspect standard dimensions and quality shall file an application for designation and authorization with the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, along with a copy of current status of equipment, facilities and inspection personnel.

(2) Upon receipt of an application filed under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall conduct a field investigation to review whether to satisfy the standards for designation and authorization prescribed in Article 19-4(3).

(3) Where the results of the field investigation prescribed in paragraph (2) satisfy the standards for designation and authorization, the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall issue a certificate of designation or authorization and publicly announce the name, place of location, etc. of an agency to inspect standard dimensions and quality designated and authorized on the website.

(4) Except as otherwise provided for in paragraph (1) through (3), the detailed procedures for designation and authorization of an agency to inspect standard dimensions and quality shall be determined and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service.

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

Article 20(Standards and procedures for designation of place of business for self-inspection) #

(1) The criteria for designating the place of business for self-inspection under Article 20(2)4 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "place of business for self-inspection") shall be classified as follows: <Amended on May 29, 2017; Aug. 21, 2018; Jul. 2, 2019; Dec. 19, 2023; Jul. 23, 2024>

1. The place of business for self-inspection that conducts an inspection for the specifications and quality of timber products referred to in the subparagraphs of Article 19-4(1) by means of quality testing machines and analysis equipment: It shall meet all of the following standards:

a. Quality testers and analytical equipment for timber products;

b. A laboratory for inspecting the quality of timber products;

c. At least one person capable of operating the equipment provided for in item a who has a doctor's degree or higher in any field related to processing forest products, or who has the qualification of a forest products processing engineer or a higher qualification prescribed in the National Technical Qualifications Act;

2. Place of business for self-inspection that inspects the matters specified in the subparagraphs of Article 20-2(2) with the naked eye and inspecting equipment concerning sawn timber and laminated wood referred to in Article 19-4(1)1 and 5: It shall meet all of the following requirements:

a. At least 1 timber grade evaluator;

b. Inspection equipment to inspect items prescribed in Article 20-2(2)2 and 3 (limited to the place of business for self-inspection of the relevant items).

(2) A person who intends to be designated as the place of business for self-inspection shall submit an application for designation to the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. <Amended on Jul. 23, 2024>

(3) Upon receipt of an application filed under paragraph (2), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall examine whether the relevant person meets the standards for designation provided for in paragraph (1) and issue the applicant a certificate of designation if the person meets the standards, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(4) Detailed standards and procedures for designating the place of business for self-inspection provided for in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service. <Amended on May 29, 2017; Jul. 23, 2024>

Article 20-2(Inspection items of timber grade evaluators) #

(1) The timber products for which a timber grade evaluator may inspect pursuant to the proviso of Article 20(2)5 of the Act shall be sawn timber and laminated wood specified in Article 19-4(1)1 and 5. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2023>

(2) Inspection items of timber grade evaluators prescribed in the proviso to Article 20(2)5 of the Act shall be as follows:

1. Defects in timber products (referring to the size of a knot, the level of cracks and bending of a tree, flaws, etc.);

2. Percentage of water content (referring to the percentage of water contained in timber products);

3. Modulus of elasticity in bending (referring to the extent of resistance to the exterior bending strength);

4. Dimensions;

5. Tree species (referring to the kinds of trees); provided, where it is difficult to determine, the inspection may be conducted by requesting an inspection agency.

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

Article 21(Order for suspension of sale, return or disposal) #

`Article 17(3) through (5) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the method, procedures, etc. for issuing an order for suspension of sale, return, or disposal pursuant to Article 20(5) of the Act. In such cases, "hazardous timber product" in Article 17(3) with the exception of its subparagraphs shall be construed as "timber product that fails to meet the criteria for standard dimensions or quality". <Amended on May 29, 2017; Mar. 6, 2018>

[Title Amended on Mar. 6, 2018]

Article 22(Indicating results of inspection of standard dimensions and quality) #

(1) When the results of an inspection of standard dimensions and quality are indicated pursuant to Article 20(6) of the Act, the following matters shall be included: <Amended on May 29, 2017; Aug. 21, 2018>

1. The name of the producer or importer of the relevant timber product (referring to the name of the relevant corporation if the producer or importer is a corporation);

2. An area or country of production of the relevant timber product;

3. The date of production of timber products;

4. Deleted. <Aug. 21, 2018>

(2) Detailed standards, methods, etc. for indicating the results of an inspection of standard dimensions and quality prescribed in paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed and publicly notified by the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service. <Added on May 29, 2017>

Article 22-2(Detailed criteria for revocation of designation or recognition of inspection institutions for specifications and quality and place of business for self-inspection) #

Detailed criteria for designation, revocation of recognition, and suspension of inspection affairs of the inspection institutions for specifications and quality and the place of business for self-inspection under Article 20(8) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 1-9. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2020; May 16, 2023; Jul. 23, 2024>

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

[Title Amended on Jul. 23, 2024]

Article 23(Revoking determination on inspection of standard dimensions and quality) #

(1) The detailed standards for the cancellation of a judgment on a standard and quality inspection, a disposition to change a mark or a disposition to suspend use, and a disposition to suspend the sale of the relevant timber products under Article 22(4) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 1-10. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2020; May 16, 2023>

(2) Where a judgment on a standard or quality inspection is revoked, a disposition to change a mark, a disposition to suspend use, or a disposition to suspend the sale of the relevant timber product is made pursuant to Article 22(4) of the Act, a written disposition stating the following matters shall be issued to the producer or importer of the relevant timber product: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2020>

1. Timber products subject to dispositions;

2. Details of and grounds for dispositions.

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

Article 23-2(Orders to recall timber products) #

(1) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall undergo an examination of the Committee on Use of Timber before issuing an order to recall timber products pursuant to Article 22(4) of the Act.

(2) When issuing an order of recall, the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall issue a written order stating each of the following matters to a producer or importer of the relevant timber products:

1. Grounds for and obligations of an order of recall;

2. Period for complying with an order of recall.

(3) A person who receives an order of recall pursuant to paragraph (2) shall submit to the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service a recall plan including the methods of recall and the period for compliance within seven days.

(4) Where the recall plan submitted under paragraph (3) is deemed insufficient to recall the relevant timber products, the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service may request the complement of the recall plan.

(5) A person who submitted a recall plan pursuant to paragraph (3) shall recall the relevant timber products within the period for compliance, and after recalling them, he or she shall report in writing to the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service the results of recall, such as the details and performances of recall, and a plan to take measures against products which were not recalled.

[This Article Added on Aug. 21, 2018]

Article 24(Standards for registration of timber production business) #

(1) Standards for registration of each type of timber production business that must be registered under the former part of Article 24(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 2.

(2) "Any other matter prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 24(2) of the Act means any of the following matters: <Amended on May 29, 2017>

1. The representative's name;

2. Qualification type and status of technical workforce;

3. Timber or timber products handled (limited to where any modification is made to the scope of business, among the standards for registration of a lumbermill business and a timber import and distribution business specified in paragraph (1) and Appendix 2).

(3) A person who intends to file a report on the transfer or merger of his or her timber production business pursuant to Article 24(4) of the Act shall submit a report, including a document verifying such transfer or merger, to the competent Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of the competent Si/Gun/Gu (the head of a Gu means the head of an autonomous Gu; hereinafter referred to as the "head of the competent Si/Gun/Gu"), as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Article 25(Standards for taking administrative dispositions) #

The standards for taking an administrative disposition against a timber producer under Article 26(2) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 3.

Article 25-2(Imposition and payment of penalty surcharges) #

(1) The criteria for imposition of penalty surcharges under Article 26-2(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 3-2.

(2) Where the head of a Si/Gun/Gu intends to impose a penalty surcharge pursuant to Article 26-2(1) of the Act, he or she shall give written notice to the person subject to the imposition of the penalty surcharge, specifying the type of the relevant violation and the amount of the relevant penalty surcharge.

(3) A person in receipt of a notice under paragraph (2) shall pay the penalty surcharge to a collecting agency designated by the head of a Si/Gun/Gu within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice.

(4) A collecting agency in receipt of a penalty surcharge pursuant to paragraph (3) shall issue a receipt to the payer, and notify the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, without delay, of the fact that the penalty surcharge has been paid.

[This Article Added on Jul. 23, 2024]

Article 26(Timber and timber products subject to restrictions on distribution) #

"Timber and timber products prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the former part of Article 29(1) of the Act means log and timber products specified in the subparagraphs of Article 19-4(1). <Amended on Dec. 19, 2023>

Article 27(Standards for designation of agencies training specialists) #

(1) The standards for designation of an agency training specialists prescribed in Article 31(1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 4.

(2) A person who intends to be designated as an agency training specialists pursuant to Article 31(1) of the Act shall submit an application for designation to the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(3) Upon receipt of an application filed under paragraph (2), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall examine whether the standards for designation specified in Appendix 4 have been satisfied; and issue a certificate of designation to the applicant if the examination finds that such standards are satisfied and publish such designation on the website of the Korea Forest Service, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(4) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service may fully or partially subsidize an agency training specialists designated pursuant to paragraph (3) with any of the following expenses incurred in providing education and training, within budgetary limits: <Amended on May 29, 2017>

1. Expenses incurred in operating educational programs, such as lecture fees and the cost of purchasing training equipment and materials;

2. Expenses incurred in developing and disseminating educational programs, such as collecting and providing educational data related to the timber industry;

3. Expenses incurred in conducting surveys and research to train technical workforce for the timber industry.

(5) The detailed standards for revoking the designation of an agency training specialists and for issuing a corrective order prescribed in Article 31(5) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 4-2. <Added on Aug. 21, 2018>

Article 28(Types of and qualifications for wood-structural engineers) #

(1) Types of and qualifications for wood-structural engineers provided for in Article 32(2) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 5.

(2) The "matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 32(3)3 of the Act refers to the following matters: <Amended on Jul. 23, 2024>

1. Material management for timber structures, wooden houses, and wooden buildings;

2. Management of safety and durability of timber structures, wooden houses, and wooden buildings, including termite prevention and control.

Article 28-2(Forest Biomass Energy Center) #

"Institutions or organizations prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 36-5(1)2 of the Act means the following institutions or organizations:

1. National or public research institutes;

2. Public institutions under Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions.

[This Article Added on Jul. 23, 2024]

Article 29(Reporting) #

The scope of timber industries subject to submission of necessary matters under Article 37(2) of the Act shall include log production business; the lumbermill business; and timber import and distribution business specified in Appendix 2.

Article 30(Financial assistance) #

(1) A person who intends to be granted loans or subsidies to cover the project cost fully or partially pursuant to Article 38 of the Act shall submit an application to the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service or the head of the relevant local government, stating the following matters:

1. The objective and necessity of the relevant project;

2. The period and scale of the relevant project;

3. The total project cost and annual cost required;

4. Any other matters concerning the feasibility of the relevant project.

(2) Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service or the head of the relevant local government shall review the feasibility, etc. of the relevant project; and may grant the applicant loans or subsidies within the budgetary limits to cover the project cost fully or partially, if he or she deems it necessary to finance or subsidize the project cost.

(3) " Other programs prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 4 of Article 38 of the Act means the following projects: <Amended on Dec. 19, 2023>

1. A project designed to preferentially purchase domestic timber products;

2. A project relating to the creation of a wooden building complex and support for and encouragement of construction of wooden houses;

3. A project designed to mechanize log production;

3-2. A project for improving the indoor and outdoor environment using timber;

4. Any other projects the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service deems necessary to promote the use of timber.

Article 31(Monetary rewards) #

(1) The amount of prize money to be paid pursuant to Article 41 of the Act shall be classified as follows:

1. Reporters or informants: 30,000 won per offense; provided, the prize money paid to each reporter or informant shall not exceed 300,000 won a year;

2. Persons who have contributed to improving quality of timber products and to establishing distribution order thereof: 300,000 won per person.

(2) Where two or more persons have reported or given information on an identical offense, the prize money specified in paragraph (1)1 shall be paid to the first person who has reported or given the information; and where a report and information are given simultaneously, the prize money shall be divided and paid to each reporter and informant proportionally.

Article 32(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #

(1) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall delegate his or her authority concerning commissioning and managing honorary observers of use of timber provided for in Article 36(1) of the Act to a Mayor/Do Governor pursuant to Article 43(1) of the Act.

(2) The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall delegate the following authority to the head of Regional Forest Service pursuant to Article 43(1) of the Act: <Amended on May 29, 2017; Mar. 6, 2018; May 28, 2018; Aug. 21, 2018; Jul. 23, 2024>

1. Issuing an order to restrict the production or sale or to dispose of any hazardous timber product pursuant to Article 17(4) of the Act; and issuing a written order pursuant to Article 17(3) of this Decree;

1-2. Issuing an order to suspend the sale, return, or dispose of any timber or timber product which is not verified as having been legally felled pursuant to Article 19-3(3) of the Act; and issuing a written order pursuant to Article 17(3) which is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 18-4(3) of this Decree;

2. Registering timber grade evaluators, revoking their qualifications, and suspending their business affairs prescribed in Article 19-4(1) and (2) of the Act;

2-2. Issuing an order to suspend the sale, return, or dispose of any timber product that fails to meet the criteria for standard dimensions or quality pursuant to Article 20(5) of the Act; and issuing a written order pursuant to Article 17(3) which is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21 of this Decree;

3. Collecting, investigating, and examining timber products or inspecting relevant documents pursuant to Article 22(1) of the Act;

3-2. Revoking determination on the inspection of standard dimensions and quality, taking a disposition of changing or suspending the use of the indication of the standard dimensions and quality, or taking a disposition of suspending sale of the relevant timber product pursuant to Article 22(4) of the Act;

3-3. Issuing an order to recall timber products pursuant to Article 22(5) of the Act;

4. Commissioning and managing honorary observers of use of timber pursuant to Article 36(1);

5. Holding a hearing on the revocation of qualifications of timber grade evaluators and the revocation of determination on the inspection of standard dimensions and quality pursuant to subparagraphs 5-3 and 6 of Article 39 of the Act;

Article 33(Management of personally identifiable information) #

The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service (including a person to whom the authority of the Administrator of the Korea Forest Service has been delegated or entrusted pursuant to Article 32) or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (including a person to whom the relevant authority has been delegated or entrusted) may, if it is inevitable to perform the following affairs, handle data containing resident registration numbers or alien registration numbers under subparagraph 1 or 4 of Article 19 of the Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act: <Amended on Jul. 23, 2024>

1. Administrative affairs concerning the operation of the qualification system for timber education specialists under Article 10-5 of the Act;

2. Affairs concerning registration, and revocation of registration of, a timber production business under Articles 24 and 26 of the Act;

3. Affairs concerning the operation of the qualification system for wooden structural engineers under Article 32(1) of the Act;

4. Affairs concerning the payment of monetary rewards under Article 41 of the Act.

Article 33-2(Review of regulation) #

The Administrator of the Korea Forest Service shall review the appropriateness of the following matters every 3 years (referring to the date before each third anniversary from the base date), counting from the following relevant base date; and shall take measures, such as making improvements: <Amended on Dec. 24, 2018; Jun. 2, 2020; Mar. 8, 2022; Jul. 23, 2024>

1. Requirements for designation and revocation of designation of an institution for training experts in timber education under Article 10-3: January 1, 2022;

2. Deleted; <Jul. 23, 2024>

3. Deleted; <Mar. 8, 2022>

4. Deleted; <Mar. 8, 2022>

5. The standards for designating the place of business for self-inspection referred to in Article 20: January 1, 2017;

6. Deleted; <Sep. 19, 2017>

7. The standards for registration of each type of timber production business referred to in Article 24(1) and Appendix 2: January 1, 2016;

8. The standards for designating an agency training specialists referred to in Article 27(1) and Appendix 4: January 1, 2016;

9. Types of and qualifications for wood-structural engineers referred to in Article 28(1) and Appendix 5: January 1, 2016;

10. Deleted. <Mar. 8, 2022>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Dec. 30, 2016]

Article 34(Criteria for imposing administrative fines) #

The criteria for imposing administrative fines according to Article 47(1) through (3) of the Act are as set forth in Appendix 6. <Amended on Jul. 23, 2024>