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On March 26, 2026, South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) opened a consultation on the complete revision of the Regulation on Business Operation and Management of Hazardous Chemicals. This initiative aims to establish detailed administrative guidelines and procedures for hazardous chemical business licensing under the Chemicals Control Act (K-CCA). The consultation period is due by April 15, 2026.
The draft revision serves as a follow-up measure to reflect the partial amendments made to the K-CCA Enforcement Rules, which officially took effect on August 7, 2025. By overhauling this regulation, the MCEE aims to standardize administrative workflows across regional environmental offices and provide clear, actionable compliance pathways for chemical enterprises regarding the business licensing or declarations concerning hazardous substances.
Who shall apply for business permits?
Entities intending to install and operate handling facilities that handle hazardous chemicals in quantities equal to or greater than the lower hanlding limit specified and announced by the authority for each hazardous chemical.
Entities that intend to transport more than 1 ton of hazardous chemicals at one time.
Exemptions for business permits of hazardous chemicals
When an entity holding a hazardous chemical manufacture permit sells, stores, transports, or uses the hazardous chemical it directly manufactured, the entity is not required for separate permit or declaration for sales, storage, transportation, or use.
When an entity holding a hazardous chemical sales permit stores, keeps, or transports the hazardous chemical for the purpose of sale, the entity is not required to obtain separate storage or transportation permits.
When an entity holding a hazardous chemical storage permit transports the hazardous chemical that are being stored on consignment at the request of the consignor, the entity not required to obtain a separate transportation permit.
When an entity holding a hazardous chemical use permit transports, stores, or keeps hazardous chemical for the purpose of use, the entity is not required to obtain separate transportation or storage permits.
Who are subject to business declaration?
Entities intending to install and operate handling facilities that handle hazardous chemicals in quantities that are below the lower handling limit but at or above the minimum handling limit, which are specified and announced by the authority for each hazardous chemical.
Exemptions:
When an entity that has fufilled the hazardous chemical manufacture declaration sells, stores, or uses the hazardous chemical it directly manufactured, the entity does not need to submit separate declaration for sales, storage, or use.
When an entity that has fufilled the hazardous chemical sales declaration stores the hazardous chemical for the purpose of sale, the entity does not need to submit a separate storage declaration.
When an entity that has fufilled the hazardous chemical use declaration stores the hazardous chemical for the purpose of use, the entity does not need to submit a separate storage declaration.
The regulation strictly differentiates compliance obligations based on numerical thresholds. When making operational changes—such as increasing storage or transport capacity by 50% or more, or changing the types of chemicals handled—enterprises must submit modification applications for relevant permits prior to the change, or submit the modification declarations within 30 days (or up to 60 days for specific administrative changes like a change of representative). Regular facility inspections and safety assessment remain critical ongoing compliance requirements.
These proposed changes directly affect chemical industry professionals and enterprises operating in South Korea that manufacture, import, sell, store, transport, or utilize hazardous chemicals in their operational processes. Additionally, the requirements apply to vendors of chemical reagents and businesses that sell hazardous chemicals commercially without operating dedicated handling facilities.
Industry stakeholders are advised to assess the draft revision and submit any feedback within the consultaion period (by April 15, 2026).
