In accordance with Article 108(3) of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and Clause 153 of its enforcement rules, the Ministry of Labor of South Korea has issued Announcement No. 2025-162, officially revealing 72 new chemical substances that were manufactured or imported during the first quarter of 2025. The announcement includes detailed information on the hazards, risks, annual production/import volumes, and preventive measures to protect worker health associated with these substances.

Manufacturers and importers of these new chemicals are required to submit a hazard and risk assessment report to the Ministry of Labor at least 30 days prior to manufacturing or importing them.

Of the 72 chemicals identified, 32—such as 2-methylpiperidine—have been classified as presenting significant hazards, including acute toxicity, reproductive toxicity, and skin corrosivity or irritation. The Ministry of Labor has instructed companies handling these substances to adopt necessary workplace safety measures. These include mandating the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the installation of local exhaust ventilation systems.

Facilities dealing with hazardous chemicals must prominently display Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and clearly label containers and packaging with appropriate hazard warnings and precautionary instructions. Employers are also responsible for providing adequate safety training to workers handling such chemicals.

Recognizing the growing presence of foreign workers in industrial settings, the Ministry of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Corporation have developed and distributed chemical safety materials in 17 languages. These resources aim to help foreign workers understand warning labels and graphic safety symbols, ultimately supporting accident prevention and safeguarding worker health.

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