Korea REACH(K-REACH), The full name of The Act on Redistration and Evaluation of Chemicals, was officially implemented on January 1, 2015. The Act adopts registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction requirements similar to the EU REACH regulation to manage new chemical substances, existing chemical substances and downstream products, and K-REAH is another chemical management act with international influence after the EU REACH.

The competent authorities of South Korea have listed 510 priority registration of existing substances (PEC), if the enterprise's substance is included in the batch of 510 designated existing substances, but has not completed the formal registration, after 20187, the substance cannot be produced or imported in South Korea, and must wait for the enterprise to complete the formal registration. The substance can be legally produced or imported in South Korea.

As of June 30, 2021, a total of 17,153 substances have been submitted for pre-registration under K-REACH. Among them, 1,837 substances have a pre-registered tonnage of more than 1000t/a, and 78 substances are CMR substances. By the end of 2021, 1,906 substances need to be officially registered.

Registration subject

Manufacturers in South Korea;
Importers in Korea;
Non-korean producers must complete the registration obligation through a unique representative;

Substance registration Scope

Existing chemical substances whose production/import exceeds 1t/a for the Korean market;
Production/import of new chemicals exceeding 100kg/a to the Korean market;
New substances under 100kg need to be notified;

Content to submit for K-REACH registration

Company information, substance identification information, use information, physical and chemical information, toxicology and ecotoxicology information;
Risk information (limited to production or import exceeding 10 tons/year), guidelines for safe use, classification and labelling.

Exemptions for Korean K-REACH registration

The following circumstances may be exempted from Korean K-REACH registration, provided that an application for registration exemption is submitted
Import of substances intended for export only
For scientific research, chemical analysis, such as reagents
Surface treatment material
Non-separated intermediates or transport separated intermediates with strictly controlled transport conditions
PLC (Low Concern Polymer)
R&D purposes (development of chemical substances or their products; Process improvement or development; Testing of chemical applications; Trial production or production of products)

Radioactive substances, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, narcotics, cosmetics and raw materials used in cosmetics, pesticides and raw materials, fertilizers, foodstuffs, food additives, containers, packaging, feed, gunpowder, munitions (other than commercial supplies provided for in the Munitions Administration Act), health foods, medical devices, personal care products, biocides and killing products.
Note: Except for the above exemptions, all are subject to K-REACH.