South Korea Promulgates Latest Revision of K-REACH 
On November 11, 2025, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) promulgated a revised version of the Act on Registration, Evaluation, etc. of Chemicals (hereinafter “K-REACH”).
Under the current K-REACH, joint registration is mandatory for those intending to manufacture or import existing chemical substances in quantities of one ton or more per year. Since the cost calculation method for joint submissions has been left to the discretion of participating business operators, issues such as excessive cost claims and disputes over cost-sharing ratios have arisen. In response, the revised K-REACH clarifies the principles for calculating costs associated with joint submissions and strengthens the mediation mechanism for resolving related disputes. The revision also introduces provisions to ensure that, when an overseas manufacturer replaces its appointed agent, the successor agent can maintain the continued validity of work performed by the previous agent, and it establishes reporting procedures for such agent changes. Furthermore, the amendment clarifies the effective timing of the provisions concerning “substances with unconfirmed hazardous properties.”
Major revisions to K-REACH
1. Clarifying cost-sharing rules for the joint registration of existing chemical substances (Article 15 and newly established Article 16-2)
Currently, K-REACH requires the joint submission of registration dossiers for those manufacturing or importing existing chemical substances in quantities of one ton or more per year, although individual submission may be permitted with approval from MCEE for reasons such as the protection of trade secrets. The latest revision introduces a new Article 16-2, which stipulates that, when submitting a joint registration application or engaging in the joint use of data, the parties concerned must establish cost-sharing standards by mutual agreement, taking into account factors such as manufacturing and import volumes and other reasonable indicators.
2. Strengthening the dispute mediation system for joint submissions (newly established Articles 16-3 and 16-4)
If disputes arise regarding the joint submission of a registration application, members of the consultative body or subsequent registrants now have the option of applying to the MOE for mediation under these articles.
Furthermore, a new system has been introduced that allows the affected party to defer submitting registration documents for a specified period if the other party refuses to accept a mediation proposal.
The MCEE expects these revisions to improve the resolution of disputes concerning joint registration.
3. Establishing new provisions for succession of previous agent’s work validity when overseas manufacturers change agents (Article 45-2, Paragraphs 2 and 4)
These new provisions stipulate that, when an overseas manufacturer or producer changes the agent appointed for chemical substance registration, the validity of the previous agent’s work shall fully transfer to the newly appointed agent.
In this case, the overseas manufacturer or producer must obtain consent from the new agent. And the newly appointed agent must file a notification of the change to the MCEE within one month of their appointment.
4. Identifying the effective date of business operator obligations regarding “substances with unconfirmed hazardous properties” (newly added Article 3 of the Supplementary Provisions)
This stipulates that the provisions concerning substances with unconfirmed hazardous properties (Articles 2, 10-3, 5, and 29) shall apply to new chemical substances registered or reported on or after November 11, 2025.
A substance with unconfirmed hazardous properties refers to a substance registered as a chemical substance under the K-REACH that is determined to:
- have no available hazard-related data, or
- be difficult to confirm as hazardous.
The substance must also meet the criteria specified in the MOE Ordinance.
Until the hazardous properties of such substances are ruled out or confirmed, business operators are required to treat them as hazardous and must fulfill the following obligations:
- take appropriate measures to prevent health and environmental damage; and
- provide chemical substance-related information.
The full text of the revised K-REACH:
https://www.law.go.kr/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=279805&efYd=20251111&ancYnChk=0#0000
