On August 18, 2021, the South Korean National Environmental Research Institute (NIER) issued a guidance document regarding the definition and classification for the purpose and user scope of biocidal products.
The document was issued as per the “ Act on the Safety Management for Consumer Chemical Products and Biocides”. South Korea classifies biocides into 15 product types and existing active substances used could be granted with different grace periods until December 31, 2029, depending on the product type.
The document was issued as per the “ Act on the Safety Management for Consumer Chemical Products and Biocides”. South Korea classifies biocides into 15 product types and existing active substances used could be granted with different grace periods until December 31, 2029, depending on the product type.
Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2027 | Dec 31, 2029 |
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Both the active substances and biocidal products need to submit the human and environmental exposure information and risk assessment report during their pre-marketing which correlates closely with the purpose, usage, space, site, target, and user group.
The document described in detail the definition, use purpose, user classification and possible exclusion condition for each product type and drawn a product type comparison with the EU biocide regulation.
NIER reminded that biocidal product type should be distinguished through their purpose and usage and a biocidal product may have more than one product type.
1.Disinfectants (EU BPR PT 2) | |
Purpose | For sterilization, sterilization, disinfection, and antibacterial purposes in residential facilities, multi-use facilities, and industrial facilities Incorporated in textiles, tissues, paints, and other articles or materials to produce treated products with disinfecting properties |
User classification | General consumers: used in kitchen, household goods(hard surface), bathroom (tub), drain hole, toilet, air conditioner, children's products, companion animals, companion animal, wall and floor, bedding, washable textile, clothes, and shoes, etc.; Occupational consumers: related to living facilities (residential facilities, multi-use facilities, etc.), textiles such as clothing Professional/industrial facility users: sterilization specialty industry, industrial process equipment sterilization, etc. |
2.Algicides(EU BPR PT 2) | |
Purpose | to suppress the growth of algae existing in water and kill them, and is a product used for remedial treatment of swimming pools and aquariums, construction materials, etc.
Products used in public waters such as rivers and lakes following the 「Water Environment Conservation Act」 are excluded. |
User classification | General consumers: For removing algae such as fish tanks Occupational consumer: indoor aqua pet-related business, multi-facility-related business (aquarium, swimming pool, etc.), device and device algae treatment-related business, other facility algae prevention-related business, etc. Professional/industrial facility users: professional/industrial facility users ※ However, products used for industrial process water are regarded as preservatives for materials and equipment (liquid such as freshwater used in cooling or treatment systems). |
3.Rodenticides(EU BPR PT 14) | |
Purpose | Removing rodents without using repelling or attracting methods |
Target organism | squirrels and moles Mice and rats; |
4.Other Vertebrate Removal Agents (PT15,17,20) | |
Purpose | Removing harmful vertebrates except rodents using repelling or attracting methods |
Target organism | harmful avian (avicides), etc. |
5.Insecticides s(EU BPR PT18) | |
Purpose | removing arthropods (insects, arachnids, crustaceans, centipedes, etc.) without using repelling or attracting methods |
Target organism | Ants, wasps, mosquitoes, cockroaches, textile pests, storage pests, mites and flies, etc. |
6.Other Invertebrate Removal Agents(EU BPR PT16) | |
Purpose | removing mollusks, worms and other invertebrates without using methods of avoidance or attraction |
Target organism | Snail, etc. |
7．Repellents (EU BPR PT19) | |
Purpose | Mitigating or inhibiting harmful vertebrate and invertebrate harmful organisms with repelling or attraction method. ※ Excludes products directly applied to the human body, repellents and attractants for animal pests, and products applied to pets. |
Target organism | mosquitoes (for space), amphibians, fiber pests, arthropods, avian, reptiles, other flying pests, other vertebrates and invertebrates, etc. |
8.Preservatives for product preservation (EU BPR PT 6) | |
Purpose | Suppressing deterioration caused by microorganisms to ensure the shelf life of products; Product used as preservatives or rodenticides, or baits for storage purposes; |
Target object | Paints, sealants, adhesives, lubricants (finished products), etc. |
9.Preservative for product surface treatment(EU BPR PT 7) | |
Purpose | Surface treatment of paints, plastics, sealants, wall adhesives, binders, papers, and works of arts, etc.; |
Target object | Coatings, paints, sealants, mastics, fillers (grout, mortar), tile glues, wallpaper paste, etc. |
10.Preservatives for textiles and leathers(EU BPR PT 9) | |
Purpose | ㆍProducts used for fiber or polymerized materials such as leather, rubber, papers, and textile products ㆍIncludes products used for inhibiting or preventing odor-causing microorganisms ※ Products protects wool carpets from insects are excluded (classified as insecticides) |
Target object | · (PVC flooring), used for veneer production (wall linings) · Paper (production process), filters, textiles, etc. |
11.Wood Preservatives(EU BPR PT 8) | |
Purpose | preserving wood (including saw-mill stage) or wood products to control wood destroying/ disfiguring organisms including insects |
Target object | impregnated wood, etc. |
12.Preservatives for building materials(EU BPR PT 10) | |
Purpose | to preserve other building materials, masonry, and composite materials other than wood |
Target object | Gypsum board, etc. |
13.Preservatives for materials and equipment (EU BPR PT 11, 12, 13) | |
Purpose | preserving water or other liquids used in liquid cooling and treatment systems preserving materials, equipment, and structures used in industrial processes preserving fluid used for processing, cutting, or slicing metal, glass, or other materials |
Target object | ㆍFor liquid cooling and treatment systems, etc. For paper processing (limited to wood and paper pulp processing), for maintaining water properties, etc. Lubricants such as lathes, milling machines, and other metal cutting and forming oils |
14.Preservatives for cadavers and stuffed animals(EU BPR PT 22) | |
Purpose | disinfection or preservation of human or animal carcasses or parts thereof |
Target object | Preservatives for stuffing, etc. |
15.Antifouling agents(EU BPR PT 21) | |
Purpose | inhibiting the growth or settlement of harmful organisms (microorganisms, plant species, animal species) on ships, aquaculture equipment, and underwater structures |
Target object | Ships, fishing gear (nets, etc.) |
