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On April 7, 2026, the South Korean government promulgated a partial amendment to the Chemicals Control Act (Act No. 21531) to tighten the dissemination of information concerning psychedelic substances. The partial amendment, overseen by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), explicitly prohibits the labeling, advertising, or online posting of information that promotes or details the use of psychedelic substances—or products containing them—for excitement, hallucination, or anesthesia.
Before this partial amendment, the existing legal framework lacked specific provisions to regulate the display, advertisement, or online dissemination of information regarding psychedelic chemicals. This regulatory gap made it difficult for authorities to conduct effective enforcement against the misuse and abuse of psychedelic substances or to take necessary follow-up actions. The newly introduced legislation addresses this vulnerability by establishing a clear legal basis to monitor, control, and penalize the spread of such information. The designated psychedelic substances include:
Toluene
Ethyl acetate
Methyl alcohol
Thinner (referring to organic solvents used to reduce the viscosity of paint), adhesives, balloons, or paints containing the abovementioned three substances
Butane gas
Nitrous oxide (excluding those used for medical purposes)
Under the amended legislation (Article 22, Paragraphs 3 and 4), it is strictly prohibited to provide instructions or content regarding the intoxicating use of psychedelic substances on product labels, advertisements, or information and communications networks. This regulation affects all chemical manufacturers, distributors, marketers, and online platform operators handling relevant substances in the South Korean market.
However, the law provides clear exemptions: information intended solely to prevent side effects or for legitimate medical purposes is not subject to this ban. Additionally, the amendment grants the MCEE the authority to investigate compliance, mandate the disposal or removal of non-compliant materials, and request relevant regulatory agencies to delete illicit online posts.
Industry stakeholders must review their product labeling, marketing materials, and digital content to ensure alignment with the new requirements. The legislation establishes strict enforcement thresholds, stipulating that violators will face imprisonment for up to six months or a maximum fine of 5 million KRW.
The partial amendment will officially enter into force on October 7, 2026, exactly six months after its promulgation. Companies operating in the relevant sectors are advised to utilize this six-month compliance period to audit their internal communications and external advertising strategies to prevent regulatory breaches.
