Nakdonggangcheong, Additional Extension for Regular Inspections of Hazardous Chemical Handling Facilities in Small and Medium Enterprises

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kang Woo-kwon] The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office announced on the 24th that it has sent a notice to hazardous chemical handling businesses to further postpone the regular inspection of 'hazardous chemical handling facilities' to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and alleviate the economic burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The regular inspection of hazardous chemical handling facilities is a system under the 'Chemical Substances Control Act' that requires facilities to undergo inspections annually by specialized inspection agencies such as the Korea Environment Corporation to ensure safety in the installation and operation of handling facilities.

However, due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, SMEs have expressed economic difficulties related to the repair and maintenance of handling facilities for regular inspections, leading to this additional extension of the inspection period.

The additional extension applies to SMEs as defined by the 'Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises,' postponing the inspection period for hazardous chemical handling facilities scheduled for October to December this year to the period from April to June 2021 by six months.

Meanwhile, the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office had previously postponed regular inspections of hazardous chemical handling facilities within the region in April following the Ministry of Environment's policy due to the spread of COVID-19.

Accordingly, facilities that were required to undergo regular inspections between April and September this year have had their inspection period postponed by one year, now scheduled for April to September next year.

Lee Ho-jung, head of the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, emphasized, “We expect this to help alleviate the difficulties faced by SMEs amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. As the regular inspection period has been further extended, it is necessary to strengthen safety and management of handling facilities to prevent chemical accidents with special attention.”