South Korea Consults on Updates to GHS Classification List

Published on September 2, 2020 by NIER Notice No. 2020-408^[1], South Korea's National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) is now consulting on potential updates to the GHS Classification List. Any comments are welcome before September 22, 2020.

45 toxic chemical substances (Given No. 2020-1-1001~2020-1-1045) that have been registered and found toxic after the hazard evaluation under K-REACH^[2] will be added to the GHS Classification List with corresponding classification information, pictograms, hazard statements, M factors or UN No., etc. The 45 substances were issued by NIER Notice No.2020-407^[3] on August 31 for public consultation to be appended to South Korea’s Toxic Chemical Substance List.

In addition, the classification and labeling information of the following substances will be revised, including:

• 11 toxic substances: Given No. 97-1-244, 2003-1-537, 2006-1-556, 2006-1-557, 2006-1-558, 2017-1-761, 2018-1-832, 2018-1-844, 2019-1-899, 2019-1-913, 2020- 1-997

• 1 restricted substance: Given No. 06-5-1

It should be noted that the 45 toxic chemical substances if officially approved, are still new chemical substances in South Korea. Manufacturers or importers of these substances (other than the original registrants) should still apply for new chemical registration under K-REACH before manufacture or importation.

The details of proposed updates on these substances can be accessed here^[4].