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Editor's Note: This article was originally published in March to report the draft amendment to the Regulation on the Types and Specific Exemptions of Persistent Organic Pollutants, and was updated on May 12 to introduce the finalized version.
By MCEE Announcement No. 2026-107 issued on April 29, 2026, South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) adopted the partial amendment to the Regulation on the Types and Specific Exemptions of Persistent Organic Pollutants. Three persistent organic pollutants, namely Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, and UV-328, are now incorporated into the national regulatory framework. The amendment took effect immediately.
Previous article issued on March 23, 2026:
On March 19, 2026, South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) opened a public consultation on the draft partial amendment to the Regulation on the Types and Specific Exemptions of Persistent Organic Pollutants. The proposed updates aim to align domestic policies with the newly added prohibited substances under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The public consultation will conclude on April 8, 2026.
Under the Stockholm Convention, POPs are listed in Annex A (Elimination), Annex B (Restriction), and Annex C (Unintentional production) for different controls. Annex 1 of the Regulations lists POPs that have been identified under this convention. This time, the draft partial amendment updates Annex 1 and incorporates three new chemicals into the national regulatory framework. Specifically,
Methoxychlor (CAS No. 72-43-5) and related isomers (CAS No. 30667-99-3, 76733-77-2, 255065-25-9, 255065-26-0, 59424-81-6, 1348358-72-4),
Dechlorane Plus (CAS No. 13560-89-9) and related isomers (CAS No. 135821-03-3, 135821-74-8), and
UV-328 (CAS No. 25973-55-1).
Annex 2 of the Regulations clarifies the specific uses eligible for exemptions from prohibitions and restrictions on the production, import, export, and use of the controlled POPs. This time, the draft amendment outlines and updates critical exemption limits and/or phase-out deadlines for the newly designated two POPs (Dechlorane Plus and UV-328; no exemptions for Methoxychlor), and previously regulated POPs (e.g., PFOA, PFOS).
POPs
Key Specific Exemptions
Exemption Expriation Date
Dechlorane Plus
Aerospace, space and defense sectors, medical imaging/radiotherapy equipment, and replacement parts.
5 years from the effective date
UV-328
Automotive parts (bumpers, grilles, soft/hard tops), heavy-duty industrial coatings, mechanical separators in blood collection tubes, polarizer TAC films, and photographic paper.
5 years from the effective date
PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds
Pre-installed fire-suppression foam in mobile and stationary systems.
June 2, 2030
(Proposed exemption expiration date)
PFOS, its salts, and PFOSF
Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209)
Additives for plastic housings and electrical components in household heating appliances, legacy vehicle/aircraft parts.
(Exempted uses are further clarified in the draft partial amendment this time)
February 20, 2025 (Expired)
More details on the draft partial amendment to Annexes 1 and 2 of the Regulations are available here. These regulatory changes directly affect manufacturers, importers, and downstream users across multiple industrial sectors, particularly those involved in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, electronics, textiles, medical devices, and fire safety systems. Companies utilizing these substances must review their supply chains and transition to alternatives before the expiration of specific exemption periods. Public comments are welcome before April 8, 2026. The organizations, groups, or individuals are encouraged to engage in the revision process.
