South Korean to expand reporting and inspection requirements as use of recycled plastic becomes mandatory

On April 9, 2025, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of South Korea announced proposed amendments to the Enforcement Order of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources and the Enforcement Rules of the Act. This followed the MOE’s earlier policy announcement in March and April 2025 to require “beverage manufacturers that use PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic to produce 5,000 tons or more of finished products annually” to use at least 10% recycled plastic materials beginning in 2026. Based on this policy, the proposed amendment will add to the list of entities subject to “reporting and inspection” requirements: (1) businesses that are obligated to label their products with the percentage of recycled materials used, and (2) those that have already done so. Public comments on the proposed amendments will be accepted until May 20, 2025. The key provisions of the proposed amendment are as follows: