For companies exporting chemical products to South Korea, K-REACH is one of the key chemical regulations that must be considered.
While K-REACH shares certain concepts with EU REACH, South Korea has its own requirements for registration, notification, registration grace periods and the appointment of representatives by overseas manufacturers.
As of 2026, particular attention should be paid to existing chemical substances manufactured or imported in quantities of 10 tonnes or more but less than 100 tonnes per year. The registration grace period for this tonnage band ends on December 31, 2027. For substances in the 1–10 tonnes per year band, the deadline is December 31, 2030.
This article provides an overview of K-REACH, including the distinction between new and existing chemical substances, registration and notification requirements, registration deadlines, required information and the role of an Only Representative (OR).
What Is K-REACH?
K-REACH is South Korea’s chemical substance management framework established under the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances.
The Act establishes requirements relating to the registration and notification of chemical substances, hazard and risk assessment, and the communication of chemical information.
For Japanese and other overseas companies exporting chemical products to South Korea, three questions should be considered first:
1. Is the substance a new or an existing chemical substance?
2. What is the annual quantity manufactured or imported into South Korea?
3. Who will handle the registration or notification?
The distinction between new and existing chemical substances is particularly important.
New and Existing Chemical Substances: What Is the Difference?
Under the legislation effective from May 12, 2026, as a general rule, new or existing chemical substances manufactured or imported at 1 tonne or more per year are subject to registration before manufacture or import.
For new chemical substances, however, being below 1 tonne per year does not mean that no K-REACH action is required. A new chemical substance manufactured or imported at less than 1 tonne per year is generally subject to notification before manufacture or import.
The basic framework can therefore be summarized as follows:
| Classification | Annual Quantity | Basic Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| New chemical substance | 1 tonne or more | Registration |
| New chemical substance | Less than 1 tonne | Notification |
| Existing chemical substance | 1 tonne or more | Registration* |
| Existing chemical substance | Less than 1 tonne | Generally outside the above registration requirement |
*Registration grace periods apply to certain existing chemical substances according to tonnage and other applicable conditions.
“Less than 1 tonne” does not automatically mean “no K-REACH requirement.” Companies should first determine whether a substance is classified as new or existing under K-REACH, and then assess the applicable annual quantity.
The Key 2027 Registration Deadline
One of the most important issues for K-REACH compliance in 2026 is the registration grace period for existing chemical substances.
K-REACH introduced phased registration deadlines based primarily on annual manufacture or import volumes.
| Annual Manufacture / Import Volume | Registration Deadline | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 tonnes or more, etc. | December 31, 2021 | Closed |
| 100 to less than 1,000 tonnes | December 31, 2024 | Closed |
| 10 to less than 100 tonnes | December 31, 2027 | Deadline approaching |
| 1 to less than 10 tonnes | December 31, 2030 | Grace period ongoing |
For companies exporting existing chemical substances in the 10–100 tonnes per year range, 2026 is an important time to review their compliance status and prepare for the December 31, 2027 deadline. This includes confirming the substance concerned, annual volume, current notification or registration status, and available technical data.
A Registration Grace Period Does Not Mean “No Action Required”
This is an important point when understanding K-REACH.
An existing chemical substance may still be within its registration grace period, but that does not necessarily mean that no regulatory action is required until the registration deadline.
Where an existing chemical substance is manufactured or imported without registration during the applicable grace period, notification before manufacture or import is required.
Notification information includes matters such as the identity of the chemical substance, annual manufacture or import volume, classification and labelling, and uses.
Information to Check During the Registration Grace Period
| Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Substance | Which chemical substance is involved? |
| Annual volume | Annual quantity manufactured or imported into South Korea |
| Use | How is the substance used in South Korea? |
| Classification and labelling | Consistency with reported information |
| Importer | Who imports the substance into South Korea? |
| Registration status | Registered, within a grace period, or otherwise requiring action |
Changes in annual manufacture or import volume may also trigger additional notification requirements, particularly when quantities move between tonnage bands such as 1–10, 10–100, 100–1,000 and 1,000 tonnes or more.
Companies whose exports are increasing should therefore continue to monitor annual volumes rather than relying indefinitely on information previously submitted.
What Information Is Required for K-REACH Registration?
K-REACH registration involves more than simply submitting the name of a substance and its annual volume.
Depending on the substance and applicable conditions, registration may involve information concerning substance identity, uses, classification and labelling, physicochemical properties, hazard information and other information required for registration.
The first step should be to review existing test data and other available information and identify any gaps between the available data and the applicable registration requirements.
Testing should therefore not automatically be the starting point. The starting point is understanding what information is already available and what is actually required.
Who Handles K-REACH Registration for an Overseas Manufacturer?
For overseas manufacturers exporting chemical substances to South Korea, another important question is who will be responsible for K-REACH compliance.
One option is for the South Korean importer to handle the registration or notification.
K-REACH also provides a mechanism under which an overseas manufacturer or producer may appoint a qualified person in South Korea to carry out certain regulatory obligations on its behalf.
This is generally referred to as an Only Representative (OR).
Under Article 38 of K-REACH, an overseas manufacturer or producer may appoint a person in South Korea to carry out procedures including registration, notification, confirmation of exemption from registration, modification of registration and modification notifications.
Importer Compliance vs. Only Representative
| South Korean Importer | Only Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration / notification | Handled by importer | Handled by OR |
| Multiple importers | Managed mainly by each importer | Can be managed through the OR |
| Substance information | Information may need to be provided to importers | Information can be managed through the OR |
| Manufacturer oversight | Relies largely on coordination with importers | Can provide greater manufacturer-side control over compliance |
However, appointing an OR does not mean that every import transaction is automatically covered.
The relevant substances, annual volumes, South Korean importers, and registration or notification status must still be appropriately managed.
The OR’s scope of services, fees, post-registration management and conditions for a future change of OR should also be reviewed before appointment.
For a broader explanation of the role, costs and potential change of an OR, see our related article.
OR (Only Representative) Explained — Roles, Costs and Changing Representatives in Chemical Regulations [2026 Edition]
Where Should a Company Start with K-REACH Compliance?
When considering exports to South Korea, it is not always useful to begin with questions such as “Which tests do we need?” or “How much will registration cost?”
A more practical approach is to work through the following steps.
STEP 1 — Identify the Substance
Confirm the CAS number, substance name, composition and other relevant identity information.
STEP 2 — Determine Whether It Is New or Existing
Confirm how the substance is classified under K-REACH.
STEP 3 — Confirm the Annual Volume
Determine the annual quantity manufactured or imported into South Korea. For existing substances in particular, the 1-tonne, 10-tonne and 100-tonne thresholds are important when considering registration requirements and deadlines.
STEP 4 — Review the Current Registration and Notification Status
Determine whether the substance is already registered, currently within a registration grace period, or subject to notification.
STEP 5 — Determine Who Will Handle Compliance
Consider whether the South Korean importer will handle the requirements or whether the overseas manufacturer will appoint an OR.
STEP 6 — Review the Required Data
Review the data already available and compare it against the applicable registration requirements. Only after this assessment should the need for additional testing or data acquisition be considered.
K-REACH compliance should not be approached simply as “we export to South Korea, therefore we need to register.”
The key factors — substance, volume, deadline, responsible party and data — should be considered separately.
In 2026, particular attention should be paid to existing chemical substances in the 10–100 tonnes per year band, for which the registration grace period ends on December 31, 2027. Substances in the 1–10 tonnes band remain within the grace period until 2030, but notification and ongoing management requirements still need to be considered.
The first question should therefore not be:
“What tests do we need?”
but rather:
“Where does our substance sit under K-REACH, what must be done, by whom, and by when?”
Once this has been established, companies can review existing data, identify any information gaps, and determine the appropriate combination of registration support, an OR and, where necessary, testing.
TICnology Japan supports companies in organizing their substance information, annual volumes, export conditions, existing data and current registration status, and in comparing suitable approaches and service providers for OR, registration support and required testing.
For K-REACH compliance, TICnology Japan can help organize the relevant substance information, annual export volumes, existing data and current registration or notification status, and support the comparison of suitable options for OR, registration support and required testing.
Korean National Law Information Center, Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances
Korean National Law Information Center, Enforcement Decree of the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances
Korean National Law Information Center, Enforcement Rule of the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances
This article provides general information on K-REACH and chemical regulatory compliance and does not constitute legal advice for any individual case. Companies should confirm the latest legislation, regulatory guidance and applicable transaction conditions before taking compliance action.
コメント