On March 10, 2026, Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) issued Announcement No. 2026-2, approving the revised draft for the Designation of Accident-Preparedness Substances. Through this update, three additional substances have been officially included in the list, aiming to strengthen the regulatory control of high-risk chemicals and reduce the likelihood of chemical accidents.
Reason for the Revision
The revision aligns with a decision made on September 26, 2025. According to the amended provisions, companies that had already started manufacturing or importing these substances before September 26, 2025, and had submitted chemical confirmations under Article 9 of the Chemicals Control Act (K-CCA), will be considered as having fulfilled the relevant confirmation requirements for accident-preparedness substances after that date.
Newly Designated Accident-Preparedness Substances
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Xylene (CAS No. 1330-20-7, 95-47-6, 106-42-3, 108-38-3)
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Styrene (CAS No. 100-42-5)
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1,3-Butadiene (CAS No. 106-99-0)
Accident-preparedness substances are chemicals that pose a significant risk due to properties such as high acute toxicity or strong explosiveness, making them capable of causing severe chemical accidents and large-scale damage if released. Businesses handling such substances are therefore required to implement preventive measures in advance.
Companies that begin manufacturing or importing these substances after September 26, 2025, must comply with the Letter of Confirmation (LOC) requirement for chemical substances. They are required to verify whether their products contain any of these substances and submit the necessary report prior to starting production or import activities.
The revised announcement came into effect on March 10, 2026. In line with South Korean regulatory procedures, the validity of the announcement will be reviewed every three years to ensure continuous improvement of chemical safety management measures.
