Medium-sized Business Sector Requests Environment Minister to "Ease Chemical Safety Act Regulations"

The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (hereinafter KFSB) held a "Meeting with Small Business Owners Invited by the Minister of Environment" on the 8th at the KFSB Boardroom in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by KFSB

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] On the 8th, the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sector met with Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae to propose expanding the production of test data required for the registration of existing chemical substances and easing the designation criteria for toxic substances in relation to the Chemical Substances Registration and Evaluation Act (Chemical Substances Act).

The Korea Federation of SMEs (hereinafter referred to as the Federation) announced that it held the "Meeting with the Minister of Environment Inviting Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurs" in the Federation's boardroom in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the same day.

This meeting marked the first occasion in the new year for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to meet with Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae. About 30 representatives of SMEs from various industries related to the Ministry of Environment's jurisdiction attended, including Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Federation, Bae Jo-ung, Chairman of the Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation, Kim Shin-gil, Chairman of the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative, Kim Dong-woo, Chairman of the Korea Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation, Kwon Young-gil, Chairman of the Korea Super Chain Distribution Business Cooperative, and Hwang In-hwan, Chairman of the Seoul Automobile Repair Industry Cooperative.

In particular, regarding the Chemical Substances Act, the SME sector proposed granting a one-year penalty grace period for small business sites where compliance with handling facility requirements is difficult, introducing a notification system for commencement of operation, and easing the business permit standards for hazardous chemical substances handlers of accident preparedness substances.

In the air quality sector, proposals discussed included delegating engine certification investigations to local governments to eradicate the distribution of illegally imported agricultural machinery, easing self-measurement of air emission facilities and supporting measurement fees, abolishing the subsidy limit for environmental improvement to reduce fine dust, preparing support measures for expanding the installation of gasoline station vapor recovery facilities, and granting grace periods related to the establishment of nitrogen oxide (NOx) inspection equipment for diesel vehicles.

In the resource circulation sector, proposals included improving the plastic waste charge system, improving transport packaging materials for reusable containers, easing restrictions on the use of dyeing wastewater sludge in combined heat and power generation facilities, and allowing re-consignment of ‘waste clothing’ generated in apartment complexes.

Chairman Kim of the Federation appealed, “Large corporations are already actively responding by investing in environmental facilities, but SMEs without investment capacity cannot keep up. To enhance the practical applicability of the system, realistic alternatives and appropriate regulation speed control are urgently needed.”

Minister Cho responded, “As SMEs are the root and beginning of our economy, the Ministry of Environment will expand financial and technical support for SMEs and improve environmental regulations so that they can achieve mutual growth and leap forward.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.