In March, 2025, South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety (NICS) issued Notice No. 2025-7, introducing major amendments to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). These revisions align with the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) and the Chemical Substances Control Act, reflecting a significant regulatory shift.

Previously classified as a restricted substance, chrysotile has now been upgraded to a prohibited substance, signaling a stricter regulatory stance on chrysotile-related materials.

As per the revised Designation of Restricted and Prohibited Substances (Notice No. 2024-253), published by the Ministry of Environment on December 5, 2024, chrysotile has been removed from the restricted substances list (KE No. 06-5-7) and added to the prohibited substances list (KE No. 06-4-27).

The updated prohibited substances list (KE No. 06-4-27) now includes:

• Crocidolite
  
• Amosite
  
• Anthophyllite asbestos
  
• Actinolite asbestos
  
• Tremolite asbestos
  
• Chrysotile
  
  

Effective immediately, the manufacture, import, sale, storage, transport, and use of these substances are fully banned in South Korea. Existing stocks must be either professionally encapsulated or rendered harmless in compliance with the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Management Act.

This regulatory shift aligns with global consensus on the health risks of chrysotile. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes chrysotile fibers as a cause of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other fatal diseases, leading over 60 countries to enforce complete bans.

South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) highlighted that previous “restricted use” policies left loopholes for industrial exemptions. Upgrading chrysotile to “prohibited” status aims to eliminate residual risks, particularly in construction and automotive parts manufacturing.

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