SME Industry Appeals to Minister of Environment for Extension of Chemical Substance Registration Grace Period

Korea Federation of SMEs Holds Meeting with Environment Minister Han Jeong-ae
Conveying Field Difficulties Such as Environmental Regulation Relaxation and Support Expansion

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector met with Environment Minister Han Jeong-ae to convey on-site difficulties related to environmental regulations, including the extension of the grace period for chemical substance registration.

The Korea Federation of SMEs held a communication meeting with Minister Han Jeong-ae at the SME Federation in Yeouido on the 15th. This was the third meeting with the SME sector since Minister Han took office five months ago.

On this day, about 10 SME representatives attended, including Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs; Kim Hwa-man, Chairman of the Korea Furniture Industry Cooperative Federation; and Kim Jang-seong, Chairman of the Incheon Western Environmental Business Cooperative.

The industry proposed nine on-site difficulties under the themes of regulatory relaxation, system improvement, and support expansion, and discussed improvement measures with the Ministry of Environment.

Regarding regulatory relaxation proposals, the following were discussed: ▲ Exclusion from air pollution emission facilities when adding small amounts of pigment ▲ Status check of the chemical substance registration consultative body and extension of the grace period ▲ Exclusion of mixed facilities at dyeing companies from mandatory air emission measurement.

For system improvements, requests included ▲ Rational improvement of the plastic waste charge system ▲ Improvement of the obligation for retail stores to collect empty bottles.

Additionally, proposals included ▲ Expansion of the electric cargo vehicle supply project ▲ Continued promotion of the LPG cargo vehicle new purchase support project ▲ Improvement of wastewater discharge facility regulations for tofu manufacturing facilities.

Chairman Kim Ki-moon emphasized, "From this year, regular inspections of hazardous chemical handling facilities are being implemented to strengthen chemical substance safety management, but budget support is urgently needed for small-scale SMEs that realistically find it difficult to install such facilities."

He added, "The Korea Federation of SMEs recently established a dedicated organization to actively participate in carbon neutrality and ESG, and will strive to spread ESG among SMEs and prepare on-site response measures."

In response, Minister Han said, "The government will spare no support so that SMEs, despite various difficult conditions, can participate in carbon neutrality," and added, "We hope SMEs themselves will also actively participate through diligent efforts."