South Korea to Refresh Chemical Classification and Labeling Regulation

South Korea's National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) opened a consultation on June 12, 2026 (Notice No. 2026-61) on a partial amendment to the Regulation on the Classification and Labeling of Chemical Substances, the country's GHS-based rule that fixes how each hazardous chemical must be classified, labelled, and communicated, and accepted comments until July 2, 2026. The update folds in the GHS classifications for 38 newly designated hazardous substances and revises the entries for nine listed ones. Chemical makers, importers, and downstream users should review the draft and prepare to relabel wherever classifications shift.

The classification and labeling regulation is the technical backbone of Korea's hazard communication. For each listed substance, it records the GHS hazard classes, the label elements (pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements), and the identifying data such as CAS and UN numbers. Entities that handle hazardous chemicals must label them in line with these classifications under the Chemicals Control Act (CCA), so a change in the recorded classification flows straight through to on-pack labels and safety data sheets.

The draft inserts classification and labeling entries for 38 substances (serial numbers 2026-1-1355 through 2026-1-1392) newly designated as human acute, chronic and ecotoxic hazardous substances following hazard reviews of K-REACH-registered substances. The new entries include phosphoric acid, barium chloride, barium nitrate, 2-butoxyethanol, piperazine, dibromomethane, ammonium metavanadate and vanadium pentoxide. At the same time, it revises nine existing entries: adding specific lead compounds to the lead compounds entry, correcting the substance names of the inorganic cyanide and mercury entries, revising the classification of strychnine, adding a CAS number for halogenated hydantoin, adding classification and labeling details and M-factors for two listed substances, and correcting the UN numbers of nickel sulfate and carbonyl sulfide.

For industry, the practical task is to check whether any handled substance is among the newly classified or reclassified entries, confirm the updated GHS class and label elements, and arrange revised labels and SDS in good time. The amendment is set to take effect on the date of its final issuance, and under its transitional provision, entities required to label hazardous chemicals under Article 16 of the Chemicals Control Act (CCA) then have until July 1, 2027, to complete relabeling. Because labeling duties attach directly to the recorded classification, even a category revision for an existing substance can trigger a relabel, so a substance-level review against the draft is the surest way to stay compliant.

Why Choose CIRS?

CIRS Group is a leading provider of comprehensive regulatory compliance services and solutions for chemicals, cosmetics, food and food-related products, agrochemicals, and medical devices. Its chemical team consists of experts with extensive knowledge in chemistry, toxicology, environmental science, and related fields. They are well-versed in various international regulations, including but not limited to CSCL, EU REACH, CLP, GHS, TSCA, and K-REACH. 

CIRS operates a subsidiary in South Korea. By leveraging the expertise of CIRS Korea and the international team, CIRS can provide enterprises with various South Korean chemical services, including but not limited to:

• K-REACH registration;
• K-REACH Only Representative;
• K-REACH lead registrant service
• K-BPR compliance; and
• KOSHA SDS submission.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.

Further information

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