Ministry of Environment: "Repackaging Ban Law Maintains Discount Benefits... Only Separate Packaging Is Prohibited"

Since Factory Release, Only Excessive and Unnecessary Packaging and Promotional Activities Prohibited in Distribution Process

"Holiday Gift Sets Can Be Sold as Currently"
"Methods Using Information Texts and Bands Also Allowed"

Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] As controversy arises over the so-called 'Repackaging Ban Law' set to be implemented next month, the Ministry of Environment clarified that "even if the repackaging ban is enforced, the public's discount benefits will not disappear."

On the 18th, the Ministry of Environment held a meeting with the distribution and food industries to present guidelines related to the amendment of the "Standards for Packaging Materials and Methods of Products," a subordinate regulation of the "Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources (Recycling Promotion Act)" revised in January.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the new system being introduced prohibits only excessive and unnecessary repackaging during corporate discount promotions. It is not a regulation that restricts 1+1 bundle discount sales marketing or the public's discount benefits.

On the 20th, the Ministry of Environment stated in a press release, "We are not trying to regulate the discount promotion activities for consumers themselves or the price discount activities themselves."

The repackaging methods banned from next month include promotional activities such as 1+1, 2+1, gift giveaways, and repackaging multiple individually sold items after factory release by bundling and wrapping them again for promotion purposes.

The Ministry of Environment defined that a bundle discount product of five ramen packs is not considered repackaging as it is generally released from the factory. Additionally, promotional activities such as ▲ advertising discounts like "5 beers for 10,000 won" or "2+1" through signage ▲ linking beverage openings with rings ▲ selling products bundled with bands or cross-shaped ties are allowed.

The Ministry of Environment stated, "We will continue to cooperate with related industries to find ways to reduce waste generation caused by excessive repackaging while maintaining opportunities for the public to purchase goods at affordable prices through corporate discount promotions."

They added, "We plan to consider a grace period to ensure no inconvenience to the public during the initial implementation and to help the industry adapt to the system."

Below is a Q&A regarding the Repackaging Ban Law.

- Is it also impossible to sell different types of products together in one box, such as snacks?

▲ Products bundled and produced at the factory are not considered repackaging. However, repackaging of products originally sold individually during distribution is prohibited. Holiday gift sets can be sold as usual.

- Will warehouse discount marts and online retailers be exceptions, causing unfair competition between businesses?

▲ There are no exceptions. Warehouse discount marts and online retailers are subject to the same repackaging ban regulations as offline stores.

- Does the Repackaging Ban Law mean "charge the regular price even if sold in bundles"?

▲ Generally bundled products produced and released from the factory are not considered repackaging regardless of price discounts. Only repackaging during promotional events like 1+1 is prohibited, not the price discount itself. Selling multiple individual items bundled together with bands or similar for discount sales is allowed.

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