South Korea proposes higher mandatory usage ratio for recycled plastic raw materials

South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) issued a preliminary administrative notice on a proposed partial amendment to the Notice on the Obligation to Use Recycled Plastic Raw Materials, inviting public comments from September 7 through 30, 2026. The proposed amendment specifies the mandatory usage ratio of recycled raw materials to promote the use of such materials in the transition to a circular economy. Under the proposal, for PET bottles—a product category subject to the mandatory use requirement—the mandatory usage ratio of recycled plastic raw materials would be set at 15% from 2027 onward.