K-REACH

South Korea (NICS) Proposes New Quantity Thresholds for 73 Hazardous Chemicals

South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety has launched a consultation to amend the Regulation on Designated Quantities of Hazardous Chemicals, setting new quantity thresholds for 73 recently designated hazardous substances and clarifying how designated quantities are applied at site level. If adopted, the changes will determine which Korean facilities handling these substances trigger hazardous-chemical control and accident-prevention requirements, so operators should review the draft thresholds against their inventories and consider submitting comments by 15 April 2026.

10 Apr 2026, 10:43nics.me.go.krSouth Korea

Japan NITE Updates CHRIP Database With Multi-Jurisdiction Chemical List Changes

Japan’s NITE updated the CHRIP database on April 1, 2026, consolidating significant substance-level changes across the CSCL, ISHA, Food Sanitation Act, EU CLP, and K-REACH. Businesses should immediately audit the updated substance lists to ensure compliance with revised labeling, SDS, and notification obligations across Japanese and international markets.

5 Apr 2026, 06:01chem-info.nite.go.jpJapanEuropean UnionSouth KoreaUnited States

South Korea (NICS) Partially Amends Regulation On The Classification And Labelling Of Chemicals (Notice No. 2026-6)

South Korea has updated its mandatory chemical classification and labeling list (Annex 4), introducing over 70 new entries and revising several existing ones effective March 27, 2026. Manufacturers and importers must update labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) by January 2027, with an extended compliance window until July 2028 specifically for sodium hypochlorite.

2 Apr 2026, 10:26law.go.krSouth Korea

South Korea MCEE Proposes KECI Amendment Disclosing 136 Existing Chemicals

South Korea has proposed disclosing the identity of 136 existing chemicals in the KECI following the expiration of their confidential business information (CBI) protection. Companies must verify if their substances are affected and prepare to update K-REACH registrations, safety data sheets (SDS), and labels to ensure continued compliance.

29 Mar 2026, 05:33resource.chemlinked.com.cnSouth Korea

South Korea NICS Amends Hazard Assessment Results and Toxic Substances Designation (Notices 2026-3 and 2026-5)

South Korea has updated its official hazard assessment results and toxic substance designations under K-REACH and the Chemical Substances Control Act as of March 2026. Businesses must verify substance classifications against the revised annexes to mitigate risks of non-compliance with mandatory notification and risk-management obligations.

27 Mar 2026, 07:58chemnavi.or.krSouth Korea

South Korea Publishes 2025 Manual on Aquatic Ecotoxicity Classification of Metals and Metal Compounds

South Korea has issued updated 2025 guidance for the classification and labelling of environmental hazards associated with metals and metal compounds. Companies should review their hazard assessments and Safety Data Sheets to ensure alignment with the latest regulatory expectations for environmental risk communication.

21 Mar 2026, 16:43chemnavi.or.krSouth Korea

South Korea Finalises Hazard Review Results for 67 New and 56 Existing Substances Under K‑REACH

South Korea finalized hazard review results for 123 substances under K-REACH, effective March 10, 2026. Companies must verify substance classifications to ensure safety data sheets and product labels are updated to meet revised hazard disclosure requirements.

14 Mar 2026, 07:52nics.mcee.go.krSouth Korea

South Korea Announces 2026 K-REACH Consulting Support Programmes for Existing and New Chemicals

South Korea has opened applications for its 2026 K-REACH consulting support programmes, offering SMEs and mid-sized companies free assistance with existing chemical registrations and new substance notifications. Companies should leverage these state-funded resources to mitigate compliance costs for upcoming 2027 and 2030 registration deadlines, while ensuring internal oversight of final regulatory submissions.

4 Mar 2026, 15:05chemnavi.or.krSouth Korea

Korea Proposes Amendments to K-REACH Enforcement Rules Focusing on OR Transferring

South Korea has proposed K-REACH Enforcement Rule amendments to streamline data sharing disputes, allow data submission deferrals, and formalize Only Representative (OR) succession procedures. These changes aim to reduce administrative bottlenecks in joint registrations and provide clearer legal pathways for foreign manufacturers managing compliance transitions through ORs.

14 Feb 2026, 18:51opinion.lawmaking.go.krSouth Korea

Korea NICS Announces Draft Amendment To “Results Of Hazard Assessment Of Chemical Substances”

South Korea has proposed updated hazard assessment results and toxic substance designations for chemicals registered under K-REACH. Companies should review the revised classifications to prepare for mandatory updates to registrations, safety data sheets, and downstream chemical management.

5 Feb 2026, 14:43nics.mcee.go.krSouth Korea

South Korea Updates K-REACH Guidance For Existing Chemicals

South Korea has refreshed its K-REACH implementation guidance, providing updated manuals for pre-notification, registration exemptions, and GHS classification. These resources signal a regulatory focus on improving data quality and safe-use communication for existing chemical substances across the supply chain.

4 Feb 2026, 14:16chemnavi.or.krSouth Korea

South Korea Launches K-REACH Only Representative Change Procedure

South Korea has established a formal procedure under K-REACH for changing Only Representatives without the need to cancel existing chemical registrations. This streamlines administrative transitions for foreign manufacturers, mitigating the risk of registration gaps and ensuring uninterrupted market access.

13 Jan 2026, 14:05law.go.krSouth Korea

South Korea Adds K-REACH Validation Guide On Artificial Skin Model For Skin Corrosion Testing

South Korea has introduced a technical validation guide for artificial skin models to support non-animal skin corrosion testing under K-REACH. This move streamlines the adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), offering registrants more efficient, internationally aligned pathways for hazard assessment.

7 Jan 2026, 19:51chemnavi.or.krSouth Korea

Korea Opens Fifth Round of Free Consultation Support for New Chemical Notifications

South Korea has opened the fifth round of free consultation support for SMEs to comply with new K-REACH chemical notification requirements through December 2025. This initiative reduces technical and financial burdens for companies adapting to the 2025 registration threshold changes, facilitating market access for low-volume substances.

1 Dec 2025, 13:29chemnavi.or.krSouth Korea

Revised Law on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances in Korea

South Korea has finalized amendments to the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances (K-REACH), introducing stricter registration rules for new chemicals and a final 2030 deadline for existing substances (1–100 t/year). Companies must prepare for expanded reporting on priority management substances in articles and increased supply chain transparency to avoid significant financial and criminal penalties.

22 Sept 2025, 08:30law.go.krSouth Korea

Mandatory MSDS Updates Following Korea’s Chemical Control Law Amendments

South Korea has mandated updates to Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to include "unverified hazardous substances" and revised toxic classifications, with enforcement starting August 7, 2025. Companies must overhaul hazard communication and supply chain documentation by July 2026 to maintain market access and ensure compliance with evolving K-REACH and OSHA requirements.

17 Sept 2025, 12:11msds.kosha.or.krSouth Korea

Korea Expands Hazardous Substance Designations Under K Reach

South Korea has expanded its hazardous substance classifications to include acute, chronic, and ecotoxic categories, effective August 2025 with phased compliance through 2030. Businesses must reassess portfolios against lower concentration thresholds and prepare for heightened operational requirements, including facility upgrades and revised downstream safety reporting.

8 Aug 2025, 23:00gwanbo.go.krSouth Korea

Upcoming Seminar on Korea-China-Japan Chemical Management Policy Dialogue

South Korea, China, and Japan are convening a joint policy dialogue in July 2025 to align on chemical management regulations and share emerging policy trends. This trilateral cooperation signals potential regulatory convergence across East Asia, requiring businesses to monitor harmonized enforcement and reporting standards in these critical markets.

14 Jul 2025, 19:58docs.google.comChinaJapanSouth Korea

Seminar on Latest Chemical Management Policy Trends in Japan, China, and Korea

Japan, China, and South Korea are convening a high-level seminar in July 2025 to align on recent chemical management policy shifts and regulatory trends. Businesses should monitor these updates for potential cross-border regulatory convergence that could impact compliance strategies and market access across East Asia.

16 Jun 2025, 17:18chemical-net.env.go.jpChinaJapanSouth Korea

Update to Toxic Substance Classifications under Korea's Chemical Evaluation Law

South Korea updated hazard classifications and toxic substance lists under K-REACH, effective May 26, 2025. Businesses must audit portfolios against the expanded toxic substance list to mitigate compliance risks and manage potential shifts in operational requirements.

1 Jun 2025, 08:45chemnavi.or.krSouth Korea