South Korea Chemical Control Act (CCA) Compliance

Overview of the Chemical Control Act

South Korea's Chemical Control Act (CCA) was implemented in 2015 with the primary objective of safeguarding public health and preventing environmental damage. By establishing rigorous standards for the handling and management of chemical substances, the CCA replaces and strengthens the frameworks previously managed under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA).

All chemical manufacturers and importers operating within South Korea must adhere to the CCA. The regulation mandates specific procedures for chemical manufacture and import to ensure that strategic corporate operations remain fully compliant with current regulatory amendments. Proregulations provides effective solutions to help clients navigate these complex requirements, from initial substance verification to the acquisition of necessary business licenses.

Key Definitions and Substance Categories

The CCA classifies chemicals into several distinct categories, each subject to different levels of administrative oversight and safety requirements.

• Toxic chemicals
  Hazardous substances prescribed and publicly notified by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) based on standards set by Presidential Decree.
• Chemicals requiring a permission
  Substances likely to pose a significant risk, requiring notification and deliberation by the Chemicals Assessment Committee before manufacture, import, or use.
• Restricted chemicals
  Substances recognized as posing high risks if used for certain purposes; these are prohibited for specified uses as established by the MoE.
• Prohibited chemicals
  High-risk substances designated by the MoE for which all manufacture, import, sale, storage, transport, or use are strictly forbidden.
• Chemicals requiring preparation for accidents
  Substances highly likely to cause severe damage during chemical accidents due to acute hazard properties, requiring specific preparatory measures.

Compliance Requirements for Chemical Operations

To comply with the CCA, enterprises must follow a structured process based on the nature of their chemical activities.

Verification and Notification

Companies must perform a verification of chemicals to identify if they face notification duties. This involves submitting verification documents, toxic chemical import declarations, and restricted chemical import permits. Furthermore, permits are required to manufacture, import, or sell prohibited chemicals, and specific approval is needed to export restricted or prohibited substances.

Business Licensing

Securing a business license for hazardous chemicals is a critical requirement for manufacturers, sellers, and those involved in the storage or transportation of hazardous substances. This process requires the preparation and review of forms for compliance and ongoing correspondence with the relevant South Korean authorities.

Specialized Safety Assessments

For facilities handling hazardous chemicals, the CCA mandates technical evaluations to mitigate the impact of potential accidents.

Off-site Consequence Analysis (OCA)

An OCA is required for all hazardous chemicals. This involves an evaluation of facilities and processes, the creation of accident scenarios, and a detailed impact assessment around the site to ensure safety beyond the facility boundaries.

Risk Management Plan (RMP)

An RMP is specifically required for chemicals requiring preparation for accidents. This plan includes a systematic management approach based on analysis, including the preparation of accident scenarios and the evaluation of existing facility safety measures.

Proregulations' CCA Strategies and Services

Our team provides comprehensive support to ensure your operations in South Korea meet all CCA standards and industrial safety regulations.

• Verification of hazardous chemicals
  We manage the submission of chemical verification and application reviews for toxic, restricted, and prohibited chemical permits.
• Business license acquisition
  Proregulations provides strategic consultation and document preparation for businesses involved in the manufacture, sale, or transportation of hazardous chemicals.
• Chemical regulatory compliance audits
  We provide day-to-day management of activities pertaining to compliance, including Process Safety Management (PSM) and environmental permit audits.
• Technical safety reporting (OCA and RMP)
  Our experts handle the evaluation of facilities, risk analysis, and the submission of technical OCA and RMP reports to the authorities.

If you need to ensure your chemical operations in South Korea are fully compliant with the latest Chemical Control Act mandates and safety standards, please contact us.