Mask Filters Also Banned from Export... "Dealers Must Report to Government Daily Starting from the 6th"

Government Implements Emergency Measures for Nonwoven Fabric Used in Mask Filters
"If Export Is Unavoidable, Obtain Minister's Approval in Advance"
Violations Subject to Up to 2 Years Imprisonment or Fines Up to 50 Million Won

On the 4th, residents are lining up in front of a pharmacy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to purchase masks as the government is considering a plan to sell masks exclusively at pharmacies. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced that it will directly manage the supply of nonwoven fabric for mask filters to minimize mask supply shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 5th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that it will implement the "Emergency Supply Adjustment Measure for Nonwoven Fabric for Mask Filters" starting from midnight on the 6th.

The Ministry explained that this measure is taken under Article 6 of the Price Stabilization Act. According to this law, in cases of financial or economic crises or when supply and demand control functions are paralyzed and supply adjustment is unavoidable, emergency measures regarding supply and shipment can be enforced.

Starting from the 6th, manufacturers and sellers of nonwoven fabric for mask filters must report daily to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on production, shipment, sales status, export volume, and inventory levels.

Manufacturers must disclose equipment operation status, production volume, shipment volume, shipment destinations, shipment unit prices, export volume, and inventory levels.

Sellers must report purchase volume, purchase sources, purchase unit prices, sales volume, sales destinations, sales unit prices, export volume, and inventory levels.

Additionally, the Ministry may order manufacturers and sellers of nonwoven fabric for mask filters to adjust quantities during production, shipment, and sales, as well as shipment and sales destinations.

If deemed necessary for production, shipment, and sales under the adjustment order, physical, human, and administrative support such as raw material supply and manufacturing workforce assistance may be provided.

Exports of nonwoven fabric for mask filters are generally prohibited. In cases where export is unavoidable, prior approval from Minister Sung Yun-mo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy must be obtained.

This measure will be temporarily in effect until June 30. Violations will be subject to imprisonment of up to two years or fines up to 50 million KRW under Article 25 of the Price Stabilization Act. Additionally, fines up to 10 million KRW may be imposed under Article 29 of the same law.

The government stated that through this announcement, it will closely monitor the production and distribution flow of nonwoven fabric for mask filters.

An official from the Ministry said, "We plan to actively support continuous expansion of supply capacity for nonwoven fabric for mask filters through new facility expansion, conversion of other production facilities, increased production efficiency, and import substitution."

He added, "If necessary, we will order adjustments on quantities during production, shipment, and sales, as well as shipment and sales destinations, to ensure smooth supply of nonwoven fabric for mask filters so that mask production is not disrupted, concentrating all our capabilities on this effort."

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