1. Reasons for Amendment

The Hydrogen Economy Promotion and Hydrogen Safety Management Act was partially amended (Act No. 18889; partially amended on June 10, 2022; enforced on December 11, 2022) to achieve hydrogen neutrality by preparing to establish a clean hydrogen-oriented ecosystem throughout all phases of production, distribution, and utilization and accordingly, this Amendment prescribes matters delegated by the Act concerning the operation of certification standards for clean hydrogen and the clean hydrogen certification scheme, and matters necessary for the enforcement thereof.

2. Major Provisions

A. Prescribe that standards for low-carbon hydrogen and low-carbon hydrogen compounds shall be specified in a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Notification, taking into account the clean hydrogen market situation, level of technology, domestic circumstances, and international trends (Article 2-2)

B. Prescribe that certification standards for clean hydrogen shall be based on emissions of carbon dioxide, etc., and specified in a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Notification, taking into account the methods of production and transportation and applied technology of clean hydrogen (Article 34-10)

C. Prescribe matters concerning the clean hydrogen certification procedure, and prescribe that a clean hydrogen certification steering committee may be established under the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy to ensure fair operation of the certification procedure (Article 34-11)

D. Prescribe matters concerning support measures for clean hydrogen producers and users, such as incentives according to the amount of each grade of clean hydrogen produced or used, and the selection and recognition of outstanding enterprises (Article 34-12)

E. Prescribe matters concerning orders prohibiting the use of clean hydrogen certification marks, correction orders and revocation of certification, and inspections to maintain clean hydrogen certifications (Articles 34-13 through 34-15)

F. Require producersimportersdistributors of clean hydrogen to report matters concerning the productionimportationdistribution of clean hydrogen on a quarterly basis, and prescribe that the reported items, procedures, and other matters necessary for reporting shall be determined and publicly announced by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (Article 34-16)

G. Prescribe the scope of clean hydrogen certification agencies, types and functions of certification agencies, procedures for the designation and revocation of designation of certification agencies, confidentiality obligations of related persons, etc. (Articles 34-17 through 34-18)

H. Prescribe matters concerning the entrustment of business affairs such as the operation of the clean hydrogen certification scheme and support for producers and users of clean hydrogen (Article 57 (5))