On June 21, the South Korean National Institute of Environmental Research Institute (NIER) issued guidance documents for the approval or notification of sustained chlorine dioxide releasing products, a category not yet been designated as consumer chemical products subject to safety verification, but provoked growing concerns after the covid-19 pandemic.

On May 28, 2021, the South Korean National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) disclosed the required/exempted data items of 20 insecticidal/repelling active substances that have been evaluated internationally and to be approved through a simplified process.

On May 24, 2021, the South Korean National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) disclosed the required/exempted data items of 17 disinfecting active substances that have been evaluated internationally and to be approved through a simplified process.

On May 4, 2021, the South Korean National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) released the verification criteria for covid-19 related disinfecting effect, offering test method and criteria for the recognition and approval of consumer-use covid-19 sterilant/ disinfectant that has not yet included in the Covid-19 disinfection guidelines previously issued by the Ministry of Environment.

On April 28, 2021, the US EPA announced the suspension of expediting review of surface-use disinfectants, which the recent information from CDC that the risk of being infected with COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces is considered low.

On April 22, 2021, the Philippine Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) issued the Memorandum Circular regarding the registration of veterinary-use biocides previously registered with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) that subject to be transferred to FPA.

On April 8, 2021, the US EPA opened a 30-day public comment period regarding the proposed decision to conditionally register the first residential outdoor use of the insecticides cyclaniliprole and flonicamid on roses, flowers, shrubs, and small (non-fruit bearing) trees. The agency is proposing to register three new products: an individual manufacturing-use product for each of the two active ingredients and one end-use product formulated with both active ingredients.

On March 8, 2021, the South Korean Ministry of Environment issued the Announcement 2021-139, a draft amendment to the “MoE Notification 2020-117 Designation of Consumer Chemical Products Subject to Safety Verification and Safety and Label Standards”. The biocide part represents the largest changes, namely the abolishment of air-use disinfectants, the establishment of microbial contamination limits and clarification on eligible main substances and limits, as well as the mandatory efficacy test data required for products with biocidal substance claim. A new product category, lubricants will be newly designated as consumer chemical products based on the actual condition investigation and risk assessment. As a result of the respiratory toxicity data recently produced in Korea, Benzalkonium Chloride and Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate will be added to the list of universally prohibited substances in spray-type products.