ROHS Compliance

In March, 2026, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) issued Notice No. 2026-5, updating the designation of acute human hazardous, chronic human hazardous, and ecological hazardous substances under the K-REACH framework and its Enforcement Decree. The previous update was issued on August 7, 2025. 

Key Updates 

1. Name Modifications 
The names of three hazardous substances have been revised: 

  • Unique No. 97-1-119: Arsenic and its compounds (CAS No. 7440-38-2)  

  • Unique No. 97-1-379: Fluoroacetic acid and its salts (CAS No. 144-49-0)  

  • Unique No. 97-1-417: p-Dimethylaminobenzenediazo sulfonate and its salts (CAS No. 150-70-9)  

 

2. Addition of 74 Hazardous Substances 

  • 74 new entries (Unique No. 2026-1-1281 to 2026-1-1354) have been added.  

  • These include acute, chronic, and ecological hazardous substances.  

  • Mixtures containing these substances above specified thresholds will also be classified as hazardous.  

 

3. Phased Implementation 

  • The regulation will take effect from July 1, 2026.  

  • Exception: Sodium hypochlorite (Unique No. 2026-1-1354) will take effect from January 1, 2028.  

 

4. Transitional Measures & Compliance Deadlines 
Companies already handling newly designated substances must comply with obligations under the Chemical Substances Control Act (CSCA) as per the following timelines: 

  • January 1, 2027:  

  • Chemical substance confirmation (Article 9)  

  • Hazard labelling (Article 16)  

  • Import declaration (Article 20)  

  • Seller notification obligations (Article 29-2)  

 

  • July 1, 2027:  

  • Compliance with handling standards (Article 13 & Annex 1)  

  • July 1, 2028:  

  • Chemical accident prevention management plans (Article 23)  

  • Business licensing and reporting (Article 28)  

  • July 1, 2030:  

  • Facility installation and management standards (Article 24 & Annex 5)  

  • Special Provision:  

  • For sodium hypochlorite, all deadlines are extended by an additional 1 year and 6 months.  

Regulatory Intent 

NICS emphasized that this revision is aimed at strengthening the management of hazardous chemicals, enhancing protection of public health, and ensuring environmental safety. Businesses are encouraged to proactively prepare for compliance with the updated requirements.