South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MoE) has announced a reorganization that will take effect from April 30, 2024, transferring certain functions from the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) to the National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS). The move, which was approved on April 23, 2024, aims to streamline chemical management by consolidating tasks under the Chemical Substances Control Act, the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances, and the Chemical Products Safety Act.

Streamlining Chemical Management

The NICS will be expanded to include more teams to manage hazardous substances and evaluate chemical registrations. This restructuring will address previous limitations in integrated management and policy support under the three chemical laws.

The National Institute of Chemical Safety will now oversee the entire lifecycle of chemical safety management, from registration to production and use. Meanwhile, the NIER will focus on strengthening its research capabilities in risk assessment and developing alternative testing methods.

Until now, companies have had to navigate separate processes for chemical registration and accident prevention plans. The unification of these functions is expected to simplify procedures for companies and improve the efficiency of chemical safety management and facility handling.

Integration for Improved Safety

Furthermore, the integration of information systems under the three chemical laws will enable the use of big data for personalized stakeholder information and improve the designation and management of hazardous chemicals and facilities. This reorganization promises a more cohesive approach to chemical safety in South Korea.