32 Persistent Regulations Improved Following SME On-Site Improvement Requests

SME Ombudsman Prepares 'Comprehensive Innovation Plan for Chronic Regulations on Small and Medium Venture Enterprises'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] A total of 32 chronic regulations across all sectors including health, technology, distribution channels, procurement, and environment will be intensively revised. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Lee Young, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) and the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman (Vice Minister Park Ju-bong, hereinafter referred to as the SME Ombudsman) announced the comprehensive innovation plan for chronic regulations on SMEs and startups at the 13th Government Policy Issue Ministers' Meeting on the 22nd.

The Ministry and the SME Ombudsman selected chronic regulations together with the Korea Society for Regulatory Studies and finalized 32 items after conducting surveys on pros and cons from companies and the public to enhance corporate autonomy and the perception of regulations. For example, in the health sector, quality standards for electric vehicles for the elderly, such as electric wheelchairs for seniors, will be established and designated as elderly-friendly excellent products, similar to manual wheelchairs for the elderly. In the procurement sector, even if only a single supplier remains in the government procurement comprehensive shopping mall, registration maintenance will be supported by pre-reviewing whether conditions such as the availability of substitutes or alternatives are met without suspending sales.

Minister Lee Young of the Ministry said, "Amid threats to corporate survival due to high inflation and economic slowdown, it is expected that the chronic regulation improvement plan promoted with the new government's strong will for regulatory innovation will reduce the complaints and burdens of SMEs and startups caused by regulatory costs and expand corporate autonomy, thereby contributing to the realization of a dynamic private-sector-led economy."

Ombudsman Park Ju-bong stated, "We will work with related ministries to ensure that the implementation of the announced improvement tasks proceeds smoothly," and added, "We will actively communicate with SMEs and related associations to help companies easily recognize improvement cases."

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