Ministry of Environment: "Ban on Repackaging to Be Implemented After Reassessment and Consensus Process"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Environment has announced that it will reconsider the so-called 'Repackaging Prohibition Act,' which aims to prevent excessive and unnecessary repackaging, from scratch. It was determined that a process in which manufacturers, distributors, and consumers fully understand and agree on the regulatory content is necessary.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Environment issued a press release stating, "We plan to fully review the detailed guidelines of the 'Regulations on Standards for Product Packaging Materials and Methods (Repackaging Prohibition Regulations)' after hearing the opinions of stakeholders, and then proceed with full implementation."

They believe that for the new system to be successfully implemented, various stakeholders such as manufacturers, distributors, and consumers need to fully understand and agree on the detailed contents of the regulation.

However, a Ministry of Environment official emphasized, "The repackaging prohibition is a very important system to reduce packaging waste, which accounts for 35% of household waste."

They added, "Among packaging materials, vinyl and plastics have low economic value, undermine the safety of the household waste collection system, and take a long time to decompose, causing adverse environmental effects."

The Ministry of Environment plans to hold a briefing at the Government Sejong Complex on the afternoon of the 22nd to announce detailed schedules and methods for collecting opinions and implementing the regulation.

The Repackaging Prohibition Act, originally scheduled to be enforced from next month, has sparked controversy as a regulation that restricts companies' 1+1 bundle discount marketing and consumers' discount benefits.

In response, the Ministry of Environment explained, "The content of the new system only prohibits excessive and unnecessary repackaging during companies' discount promotion processes," and added, "Even if the repackaging prohibition is enforced, the public's discount benefits will not disappear."