Federation of Korean Industries Proposes Corporate Regulation Improvements Including Hydrogen Charging Stations in Special Management Areas

A Total of 31 Cases Delivered to the Office for Government Policy Coordination

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) announced on the 7th that it has submitted the "2021 Corporate Regulation Improvement Tasks," which include the establishment of hydrogen charging stations in specially managed areas and the recycling of wastewater as industrial water, to the Office for Government Policy Coordination. The number of regulations proposed for improvement after collecting opinions from member companies totals 31, including 4 in new industries (hydrogen economy, medical and pharmaceutical, etc.), 9 in construction and location, 5 in labor, 5 in private investment projects, and 3 in distribution.

First, the FKI suggested that hydrogen charging stations should be allowed to be established in specially managed areas under the Public Housing Special Act to facilitate the smooth distribution of hydrogen vehicles, which are attracting attention as a future new industry.

Currently, in specially managed areas designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, rest areas, gas stations, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) charging stations can be built with permission, but the installation of hydrogen charging stations is not allowed.

There was also a demand to permit the installation of hydrogen charging stations at propane charging facilities. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's notice grants special exceptions such as relaxed distance requirements only when hydrogen charging stations are installed at LPG charging stations, but propane charging stations should also be included in the scope of these exceptions.

Additionally, it was proposed that the obligation to install water pollution prevention facilities should be exempted when wastewater is reused as industrial water. Furthermore, it was requested to allow the production of bone graft materials within medical institutions and to unify the reporting system so that industrial accident reports can be submitted to only one ministry.

Yoo Hwan-ik, head of the Corporate Policy Office at FKI, said, "In the current economic downturn caused by COVID-19, regulatory reforms to improve the business environment for companies are urgently needed," adding, "Regulatory barriers that hinder the development of new industries such as the hydrogen economy and medical sectors must be removed."

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