'CO2 Washing Machine' Without Water Washing to Be Released... Seoul City Also Allows Shared Bicycle Advertising

Industrial Convergence Regulatory Special Committee Approves 15 Regulatory Special Cases
Self Hydrogen Refueling Stations and Autonomous Park Patrol Robot Services Enabled... Remote Medical Consultation for Overseas Koreans Also Available

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] A 'CO2 washing machine' that cleans clothes using carbon dioxide instead of water is being introduced. Outdoor advertising utilizing the shared bicycle service operated by Seoul City, similar to bus and subway advertisements, will also be permitted.

On the 30th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the '6th Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox Committee of 2021' at Seoul Post Tower and approved a total of 15 regulatory exemptions, including 10 demonstration exemptions and 5 temporary permits.

The CO2 washing machine by LG Electronics, which received regulatory exemption approval this time, enables eco-friendly washing by circulating liquid carbon dioxide without using water or oil. Under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act, compressing and liquefying CO2 is subject to obligations related to high-pressure gas manufacturing activities, making commercialization of CO2 washing machines impossible under current regulations. The Regulatory Sandbox Committee conditionally approved the CO2 washing machine based on safety measures proposed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to prepare for possible accidents. They also considered that the CO2 washing machine is eco-friendly and already commercialized overseas.

LG Electronics plans to apply for a temporary permit to install the CO2 washing machine in regular laundromats after conducting a two-year trial operation at its own research institute and verifying its safety.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "When the CO2 washing machine is commercialized in the future, the eco-friendly washing method that does not use water or oil can spread, contributing to preventing environmental pollution and achieving carbon neutrality."

The demonstration exemption for the advertising service using the shared bicycle body applied for by Seoul City was also approved. Currently, bicycles are not included in the outdoor advertising display targets under the Enforcement Decree of the Outdoor Advertising Act, making it impossible to provide advertising services using shared bicycles. However, in the future, advertising through shared bicycle baskets, frames, front wheel covers, etc., will be possible.

Additionally, demonstration exemptions were approved for ▲self-service hydrogen charging stations ▲electric vehicle external power supply services using metered outlets ▲solar streetlights using reused electric vehicle batteries ▲autonomous patrol robots in parks ▲non-face-to-face medical consultation services for overseas Koreans, among others.

Including the 15 regulatory exemptions approved on this day, the Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox Committee has approved a total of 198 projects. Through this, 107 companies have started businesses, achieving sales of 78.9 billion KRW, investments of 246.2 billion KRW, and creating 403 new jobs.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook said, "Through the self-service hydrogen charging stations approved at this sandbox committee, hydrogen stations will be operable even during late-night hours, allowing citizens to use charging stations more conveniently and positively contributing to the activation of the hydrogen economy." He added, "The industrial convergence regulatory sandbox has emerged as a leader in resolving corporate regulatory difficulties, and in the fourth year since the system's implementation, we will do our best to revise laws related to approved projects for formal commercialization next year."

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