(1) Reasons for Proposal

The Act on Registration, Evaluation, etc., of Chemicals was amended (passed at a plenary session of the National Assembly; partially amended on September 20, 2018; to be enforced on January 1, 2019) to prescribe that where a person who has received a confirmation of exemption from registration, etc., for chemical substances deviates from the exemption and manufactures or imports chemical substances, he or she shall apply for a modification with the Minister of Environment. Accordingly, this Amendment prescribes detailed matters concerning applications for modification, the method therefor, and other matters delegated by the Act.

(2) Major Provisions

A. Application to modify a confirmation of exemption from registration, etc. (Article 7-2, Article 8, etc.)

1) The Act was amended to prescribe that where there is a change in the research period, quantity manufactured/imported, etc., for a chemical substance for research and development for which a confirmation of exemption from registration, etc., has been received, the person concerned shall apply for a modification instead of newly applying for a confirmation of exemption.

2) Limit the subjects of applications for modification to cases where there has been a change in the time required for research and development, expected quantity manufactured/imported, or research institution that deviates from the confirmation of exemption from registration, etc., for a chemical substance for research and development; and require the Korea Environment Corporation to notify the applicant of the results within 14 days of receiving an application for modification

B. Method of approval for use of hazard test data (Article 27)

1) Business entities require not the findings of hazard assessments, but hazard test data produced by the Ministry of Environment for the purpose of hazard assessments. Accordingly, the Act was amended to prescribe that the use of hazard test data shall be subject to approval from the Minister of Environment.

2) In the provisions concerning the method of approval for use, etc., change “the findings of a hazard assessment” to “hazard test data,” and transfer affairs concerning approvals for use from the National Institute of Environmental Research to the Korea Environment Corporation as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree