Three POP Chemicals Prohibited in South Korea
BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 09, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 077.26, focusing on the prohibition of three persistent organic pollutant (POP) chemicals in South Korea.
Notification No 2026-107 was issued by the country’s Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) in April 2026. It partially amended the Regulations on Types of POPs and Specific Exemptions. The MCEE is authorized to designate substances subject to prohibition or restriction and to establish specific exemptions for their manufacture, import, export and use.
POP chemicals, which persist and accumulate in living organisms, can cause cancer, immune system damage and reproductive disorders, and are increasingly subject to regulatory control under the Stockholm Convention.
Notification No 2026-107 introduces prohibitions and restrictions on three POP chemicals (with certain exemptions) in South Korea, in alignment with Annex A of the Stockholm Convention:
- Methoxychlor
- Dechlorane Plus (DP)
- UV-328
Importers, exporters, manufacturers and users of these chemicals, as well as producers and suppliers of products containing or contaminated by them, are affected by the measures. Notification No 2026-107 came into effect on April 29, 2026, although implementation of controls for the listed substances will follow the entry into force of Annex A in South Korea.
SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 077.26 includes two useful tables that outline the requirements for the three POP chemicals and their uses, as set out in the Notification.
Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 077.26 for more details.
SGS consumer product services
SGS provides news about the development of regulations affecting consumer products as a complimentary service. With an unrivaled global network of laboratories, they offer physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s consumer product services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full South Korea Regulates Three POP Chemicals SafeGuardS.
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Dr. HingWo Tsang
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SeungJae Lee
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Tel: +82 (0)31 460 8028
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products
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