[Photo from Ajou Economic DB]
Starting next month, the sale and distribution of disinfectants and pesticides that have not undergone approval procedures will be prohibited.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on June 28 that beginning July 1, the sale and distribution of biocidal products that have not completed the approval process will be banned, and misleading labeling and advertising of general products as biocidal products will be gradually restricted.
This decision stems from the need for biocidal products, which eliminate or suppress harmful organisms, to receive government pre-approval not only for safety but also for effectiveness and efficacy.
The grace period for the sale of products that have not completed the approval process will end on June 30. Following the government's announcement of the biocidal product approval system, some products that failed to obtain approval have already begun recall procedures. However, products for which approval applications have been submitted within the deadline and are currently under evaluation will be allowed to be manufactured, imported, and distributed until the end of this year.
The ministry urged consumers to verify whether products are approved or fall under the grace period. When purchasing biocidal products such as disinfectants and pesticides, consumers should check the approval number and biocidal product labeling on the product's exterior. If necessary, they can search for the product name and approval number on the chemical product safety portal 'Choroknuri.'
Additionally, starting next month, the ministry will implement a revised regulation under the 'Enforcement Rules of the Act on the Safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocidal Products' that defines the scope and criteria for labeling and advertising that may mislead consumers into thinking they are biocidal products.
The ministry has determined that if unapproved general products claim to have biocidal effects such as antibacterial, sterilization, or disinfection, it could distort consumer choices and hinder fair competition among businesses.
With the implementation of this system, the ministry believes that consumers will be better equipped to assess the safety and effectiveness of biocidal products and that the burden of unfair competition caused by misleading labeling and advertising of unapproved products will be alleviated.
Jo Hyun-soo, Director of the Environmental Health Bureau at the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, stated, "The safety management of biocidal products is strengthened when the government's strict pre-approval process is combined with consumers making informed choices. We will rectify any misleading labeling and advertising of products that have not undergone the approval process."
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on June 28 that beginning July 1, the sale and distribution of biocidal products that have not completed the approval process will be banned, and misleading labeling and advertising of general products as biocidal products will be gradually restricted.
This decision stems from the need for biocidal products, which eliminate or suppress harmful organisms, to receive government pre-approval not only for safety but also for effectiveness and efficacy.
The grace period for the sale of products that have not completed the approval process will end on June 30. Following the government's announcement of the biocidal product approval system, some products that failed to obtain approval have already begun recall procedures. However, products for which approval applications have been submitted within the deadline and are currently under evaluation will be allowed to be manufactured, imported, and distributed until the end of this year.
The ministry urged consumers to verify whether products are approved or fall under the grace period. When purchasing biocidal products such as disinfectants and pesticides, consumers should check the approval number and biocidal product labeling on the product's exterior. If necessary, they can search for the product name and approval number on the chemical product safety portal 'Choroknuri.'
Additionally, starting next month, the ministry will implement a revised regulation under the 'Enforcement Rules of the Act on the Safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocidal Products' that defines the scope and criteria for labeling and advertising that may mislead consumers into thinking they are biocidal products.
The ministry has determined that if unapproved general products claim to have biocidal effects such as antibacterial, sterilization, or disinfection, it could distort consumer choices and hinder fair competition among businesses.
With the implementation of this system, the ministry believes that consumers will be better equipped to assess the safety and effectiveness of biocidal products and that the burden of unfair competition caused by misleading labeling and advertising of unapproved products will be alleviated.
Jo Hyun-soo, Director of the Environmental Health Bureau at the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, stated, "The safety management of biocidal products is strengthened when the government's strict pre-approval process is combined with consumers making informed choices. We will rectify any misleading labeling and advertising of products that have not undergone the approval process."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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