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On August 26, 2021, the South Korean online chemical management system (CHEMP) published a notice to invite industries to join in a pilot project for using quick response (QR) codes on household chemical products subject to safety confirmation. Scanning the QR codes enables consumers to access up to 23 items of product information, such as the safety standard confirmation mark, notification approval number, product name, and uses, etc.
According to the notice, the South Korean Ministry of Environment (MoE) and Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) have invited disinfectants manufacturers and importers to volunteer for the pilot project commencing in September 2021. QR codes for all types of disinfectants that have been applied for approval before September 2021 will be generated on the CHEMP website. Manufacturers and importers shall download the QR codes and attach them to their products. If the products will be sold online, their QR codes are required to be displayed on the e-commerce platform accordingly.
Disinfectants is just one type of the household chemical products subject to safety confirmation. For the protection of public health and the environment, the MoE designates and manages household chemical products subject to safety confirmation in accordance with the Act on Safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocides (a.k.a K-BPR). So far there are 13 categories (39 sub-categories), covering the following types of products.
Categories of Household Chemical Products Subject to Safety Confirmation in South Korea
Category | Sub-category |
1. Detergent products | Cleansers Removers |
2. Laundry products | Laundry detergents Bleaching agents Fabric softeners |
3. Coating products | Gloss coatings Special purpose coating agent Anti-rust additives Lubricants Ironing auxiliaries |
4. Adhesive products | Adhesives Gap and crack fillers |
5. Air freshener products | Air fresheners Deodorizing agents |
6. Dye and colorant painting products | Dye agents Colorant painting agents |
7. Auto products | Windshield washer fluids for automobiles Engine antifreezing agent |
8. Printing and document related products | Ink cartridges and toners Red seal ink pads Correction fluids and tapes |
9. Beauty products | Adhesives for beauty Tattoo inks |
10. Disinfection products | Disinfectants Algicide Antibacterial and disinfectant for humidifiers* Quarantine sterilization and disinfectant for the prevention of infectious diseases* |
11. Insect repellent products | Insect repellents Health pesticide* Health repellent* Pesticide for preventing infectious disease prevention* Rodenticide for infectious disease prevention* |
12. Preservative products, Preservative-treated products | Wood preservatives Preservative-treated filter products |
13. Others | Candle Dehumidifying agent Artificial snow spray Fog liquid for performance Household chemical products for humidifiers* |
* Products not yet established with safety standards that need to obtain premarketing approval from the MoE.
It should be noted that the MoE plans to amend the provision for product labeling rules in K-BPR Enforcement Rules in 2022 based on this pilot project, mandating QR codes for all listed products. Therefore, manufactures and importers of household chemical products shall follow the corresponding rules if want to operate relevant products in South Korea.
