Board of Audit and Inspection: "Ministry of Environment Wrongly Exempted Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Relief Contributions"

Announcement of Audit Results Requested by the Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters... Concerns Over Omission of Contribution Charges for Some Raw Material Suppliers

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Board of Audit and Inspection has found that the Ministry of Environment was at fault in the selection process of businesses exempted from the humidifier disinfectant damage relief contribution.

On the 4th, the Board of Audit and Inspection announced the results of its investigation regarding the issue of selecting businesses exempted from the humidifier disinfectant damage relief contribution, which was requested by the Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out, "The Ministry of Environment either failed to recognize that some businesses included toxic chemicals or decided to exempt them from the contribution based solely on the businesses' statements without supporting evidence, judging that no toxic chemicals were present."

According to the Enforcement Decree of the Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Relief Act, if all three conditions are met?humidifier disinfectant sales accounting for less than 1% of the total, being a small business, and not containing toxic chemicals?the obligation to pay the contribution can be exempted.

The Board of Audit and Inspection stated, "Although it was found that silver nitrate was included in the effective ingredient data of a (specific company) product, the Ministry of Environment judged it not to be a toxic chemical and did not investigate the raw material suppliers who provided the substance," adding, "there is a concern that contributions may have been omitted for raw material suppliers who should have been subject to contribution charges."

Furthermore, the Board of Audit and Inspection revealed that problems were found in the Ministry of Environment's process of organizing and operating on-site investigation teams for humidifier disinfectant businesses and raw material suppliers, such as investigating businesses only with probationary officials.

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