(1) Reasons for Proposal

A. Strengthen and update safety control to prevent harm to consumers with the growing use of disinfectants, product diversification, and false and exaggerated advertising due to COVID-19.

B. Perform fact-finding investigation and risk assessment in accordance with the Framework Act on Product Safety and add a new item (lubricants) and safety standards by item (detergents, disinfectants, air fresheners, etc.).

C. Re-set safety standards and improve other schemes as respiratory toxicity data has recently been produced in Korea (BKC, NaDCC).

(2) Major Provisions

A. Strengthen and update safety and labeling standards for biocidal products

1) Newly insert safety and labeling standards for electrolyzers 

Define the content of acceptable active ingredients such as hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite as there are growing concerns about electrolyzers and specify labeling standards to prevent abuse and ensure the safe use of products.

2) Obligate the submission of documentation proving disinfection effect/efficacy in the case of labeling and advertising

Newly insert the form “Product Effect/Efficacy Certificate” (test report, etc.), which can prove the effect/efficacy, in the scope and method of documentation submitted, since it is now required to submit verification documentation of the included biocides when reporting a product’s effect/efficacy.

3) Strengthen safety standards for active ingredients acceptable in biocidal products

Adjust active ingredients acceptable in disinfectant products such as disinfectants, algicides, repellents, and wood preservatives, and set content standards to reduce consumers’ exposure to hazardous substances with the growing use of disinfectants.

4) Newly insert microbial limits

Set microbial limits in disinfectants to prevent change or damage in disinfectant contents (special purposes: disinfectants in products for children only or toothbrushes and tongue cleaners). 

B. Designate new items and prepare and strengthen safety standards

1) Designate new household chemical products subject to safety assurance and prepare safety and labeling standards

Designate lubricants as household chemical products subject to safety assurance and prepare safety and labeling standards for potentially hazardous substances.

2) Ban the inclusion of substances (BKC, NaDCC), whose respiratory toxicity data has been recently produced in Korea, in spray formulations 

Designate benzalkonium chloride (BKC) and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) as banned substances in spray formulations and air fresheners.

3) Expand biodegradability test to control surfactants

Expand the list of regulated biodegradability items from laundry detergents to fabric softeners which can be discharged to the water system.

C. Improve labeling

1) Mandate the labeling of cautions in the use in detergents and disinfectants

Mandate the labeling of cautions in the use of detergents and disinfectants to prevent abuse/misuse of the products.

2) Require the labeling of “fluorescent whitening agent” in detergents, laundry detergents, and bleaches

Require the labeling of all fluorescent whitening agents used in detergents, laundry detergents, and bleaches which can be discharged to the water system.

D. Others 

 Abolish “air disinfection” use in disinfectants. 

 Add acceptable preservatives (removers, laundry detergents).

 Clarify the rules for currently acceptable biocidal ingredients in biocidal products.