South Korea Partial Amendment to the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances    

"South Korea updates its Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances to reinforce the framework for joint registration of existing chemicals and ensure transparent, fair, and verifiable cost-sharing among registrants. The amendment elevates the legal basis for forming a joint registration consultative body, sets clear principles for cost accounting, and strengthens procedural safeguards for accessing and using existing registration data.

The revision also introduces a formal mediation mechanism managed by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to resolve disputes in joint submissions, including the option to request temporary suspension of data submissions when negotiations break down. Additional changes provide continuity when foreign manufacturers change their appointed Korean agent and clarify how revised provisions apply to substances with unconfirmed hazardous properties. The amended law takes effect six months after promulgation, with designated supplementary provisions effective immediately."