Since the prosecution recently dropped an indictment against a bed mattress brand that set off the “radon mattress” scandal,  there has been increasing interest in the indoor air quality of buildings such as the measurement and control of radon, which is classified as a  carcinogenic harmful to humans (Group 1), etc.  

However, the current Act only prescribes that interior finishing materials should meet the standards prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport considering the standards and recommendations for the maintenance of indoor air quality and fails to include procedures for measuring and controlling indoor air quality after the construction of buildings, and it has been pointed out that improvement is needed.  

Hence, this Amendment aims to improve indoor air quality of buildings and protect people's lives and health from carcinogens such as radon, etc. by requiring a the owner of a building prescribed by Presidential Decree to measure the indoor air quality of the relevant building before filing an application for approval to use the building; the measurement results must meet the standards prescribed by joint Ordinance of the relevant Ministry considering the guidelines for indoor air quality under the Indoor Air Quality Control Act; and a report on the measurement results must be appended to the application for approval for use (Article 22, paragraphs 1 and 2, Article 52-5 newly inserted).

Approval for use of building (Article 22), Measurement of building’s indoor air quality (Article 52-5)