South Korea Tightens Safety Labeling Rules for Household Chemicals; Enterprises Face Compliance Deadlines

South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) submitted a Partial Revision Notice of Designation and Safety/Labeling Standards for Household Chemical Products Subject to Safety Verification (Draft for Comment) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on May 28, 2025, proposing enhanced safety management for household chemical products.

Revision Background

According to the MOE, the amendments aim to implement requirements under the Chemical Substances Safety Act, upgrade safety standards and optimize regulatory frameworks based on the latest hazard assessments of household chemicals, and enhance overall regulatory efficacy while rationalizing compliance practices.

Key Revisions

Adjusting Regulatory Scope

• Deletes tattoo dyes from the MOE’s safety verification list (effective June 14, 2025), as regulatory oversight shifts to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

Four Major Labeling Upgrades

• Dehumidifier warnings: Reusable dehumidifier containers must display usage precautions and supplemental instructions;
• Combustion product alerts: Fragrance diffusers, scented candles, and other open-flame products require added safety operation guidelines;
• Child-resistant packaging labels: Liquid products meeting pH criteria for child safety should include Child-Resistant Packaging warnings;
• Transparent regulated substances list: Standardized chemical nomenclature and clarified regulatory scope/labeling requirements.

Implementation Timeline

The draft does not specify adoption/effective dates but sets the final comment deadline for June 17, 2025.

Industry Impact

The new rules will significantly raise market entry barriers for consumer chemicals in South Korea. Manufacturers of dehumidifiers and fragrance products face stricter labeling compliance demands. Companies must urgently address new clauses and preemptively adjust product designs and compliance strategies.

Further Information

MOE