On August 6th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL) of South Korea issued the Amendment to the "Standards for Classification, Labeling, and MSDS of Chemical Substances" (MoEL Notice No. 2025-50). This amendment will officially come into force on August 7, 2025.
The update aligns with the latest requirements of the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH), aiming to improve the accuracy and compliance of chemical information dissemination. To avoid compliance risks, enterprises are strongly advised to update the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and product classification labels in a timely manner.
Technical Classification Standards Update
The amendment introduces significant changes to the technical classification standards, including:
Self-Heating Substances and Mixtures (Annex 1)
Refined Test Conditions: For Category 1 self-heating substances and mixtures, a positive result is determined when a cubic sample with a 25mm side length is tested at 140°C.
Oxidizing Solids (Annex 1)
Refined Test Conditions: For Test Method 3, when testing a mixture of the substance (or mixture) with cellulose at a ratio of 4:1 or 1:1, the burning rate must be calculated based on the average burning rate of a calcium peroxide and cellulose mixture at a 3:1 ratio.
Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation (Annex 1)
Updated Criteria for Mixtures: Mixtures are classified as Category 1 if they meet any of the following:
● a. Total content of components causing serious eye damage (H318) or skin corrosion (H314) is ≥3%.
● b. The sum of the following two items is ≥3%:
○ Total content (%) of components causing skin corrosion (H314).
○ Total content (%) of components causing serious eye damage (H318).
Note: If a component meets both H314 and H318 criteria, its concentration is counted only once.
Labeling Updates
Shipping labels now require updated GHS pictograms. The RTDG flammable liquid pictogram must include the following revision:
Note: Update the bottom corner number to "3."
Mandatory MSDS Updates
The amendment introduces new obligations for preparing MSDS for substances with unconfirmed hazards and reclassified toxic substances.
a. MSDS for "Substances with Unconfirmed Hazards"
Scope: Substances or mixtures identified as having unconfirmed hazards under the Chemical Evaluation Act (K-REACH).
Requirements: Section 15 of the MSDS must include:
"Substance with Unconfirmed Hazards (specific substance name)."
Specific unconfirmed hazard items (e.g., acute toxicity - oral, chromosomal aberration).
A safe handling statement.
Special Cases: If the substance name is undisclosed, it must be provided separately in the Annex 25 format of the Chemical Evaluation Act Enforcement Rules.
Transition Period: Until June 30, 2026, this information can be added to Section 15 "Others (마목)" of the old MSDS.
b. Reclassification of Toxic Substances and MSDS Updates
Key Changes: The "toxic substances" category is subdivided into:
Substances with acute human health hazards.
Substances with chronic human health hazards.
Ecologically hazardous substances.
Transition Period: MSDS Updates must be completed by July 1, 2026.
Important Notes: Revisions to Section 15 of the MSDS do not require resubmission but must be shared with downstream users.
Recommendations for Enterprises
To ensure compliance with the updated regulations, REACH24H recommends the following actions for enterprises targeting the South Korean market:
Phased MSDS Updates:
From August 7, 2025: New MSDS must comply with MoEL Notice No. 2025-50, including updated Section 15 regulatory information.
By June 30, 2026: Section 15, Item 3 of the MSDS must clearly indicate the current legal status under K-REACH. From July 1, 2026, MSDS must fully comply with the latest standards.
Re-Testing and Reclassification: Verify product classification under the new testing standards.
Labeling and Packaging: Update GHS pictograms and classification labels on all products.
If you have any questions in this regard, please feel free to contact us at customer@reach24h.com.
