Special Crackdown on Mandatory Origin Labeling of Flowers for Family Month

May 1-15 Intensive Inspection
Up to 7 Years Imprisonment or Fine Up to 100 Million Won for False Reporting

In celebration of Family Month in May, a special crackdown on the origin labeling of flowers will be conducted from the 1st to the 15th of next month.

The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service announced on the 25th that it will carry out a special crackdown to promote fair trade of flowers, which are expected to see a sharp increase in consumption during May due to occasions such as Parents' Day and Teachers' Day.

The flower items that are required to have mandatory origin labeling include 11 types of domestically produced cut flowers and all imported and sold foreign flowers. Companies that falsely label the origin will face criminal charges and, after prosecution procedures, may be sentenced to up to seven years in prison or fined up to 100 million KRW. Companies that fail to label the origin will be fined up to 10 million KRW. For companies that falsely label the origin or fail to label it more than twice, their names and violations will be publicly disclosed on the websites of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service and the Korea Consumer Agency for one year.

An official from the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service stated, "We will strengthen crackdowns on acts of false origin labeling or failure to label," adding, "A joint inspection team composed of special judicial police officers and honorary monitors will conduct focused inspections targeting flower auction markets, flower wholesalers and retailers (flower shops), wreath manufacturers and sellers, large supermarkets, convenience stores, and more."

To enhance the efficiency of the crackdown, suspected violators will be selected and inspected in advance by understanding import and distribution situations, and the use of 300 cyber inspection officers will strengthen crackdowns on online sales companies in preparation for the increase in online transactions.

Seo Hae-dong, head of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, urged, “Consumers should always check the origin labeling when purchasing flowers, and if there is no origin labeling or if the labeling is suspicious, please report it via phone or website.”

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