Intensive Inspection of Distribution Companies in Seoul from Next Month 2 to September 30
Joint Inspection Team Formed with Autonomous Districts and Specialized Agencies for Crackdown
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 30th that it will conduct intensive inspections on repackaging and excessive packaging, focusing on distribution stores such as department stores and large discount stores in Seoul, to prevent environmental pollution and waste of resources caused by excessive packaging ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
The crackdown on repackaging and excessive packaging for this Chuseok holiday will be conducted for two months from September 2 to September 30. A joint inspection team consisting of 25 autonomous districts of Seoul, the Korea Environment Corporation, and the Korea Conformity Laboratories will carry out inspections and enforcement.
The inspection and enforcement targets are confectionery, alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, miscellaneous goods, and primary food products. If caught for excessive packaging exceeding the packaging space ratio (10-35% depending on the item) and packaging frequency limits, a fine of up to 3 million KRW will be imposed. For suspected excessive packaging products, an inspection will be requested from a packaging inspection specialized institution, and if the test report results exceed the standard, a fine will be imposed. If the violation is not corrected and additional violations are detected, a fine of 2 million KRW for the second violation and 3 million KRW for the third violation will be imposed.
According to the "Regulations on Standards for Packaging Materials and Packaging Methods of Products," an order for packaging inspection will be issued to products with excessive packaging frequency or packaging disproportionate to the product to determine violations. Individual products constituting a composite product must comply with the packaging space ratio and packaging frequency standards for each unit product.
In addition, according to the packaging product repackaging exemption criteria notice implemented since January, if another packaging material is used to repackage the product during the sales process, a fine of up to 3 million KRW will also be imposed. Repackaging refers to ▲ bundling and packaging products that have completed production or import during the sales process ▲ planned packaging in the form of N+1, giveaways, or promotional gifts for temporary or specific distribution channels ▲ repackaging three or fewer individually sold packaged products together.
Jung Mi-seon, head of the Resource Circulation Division, said, “Excessive packaging increases unnecessary costs, raising the burden on consumers, as well as causing environmental pollution problems such as resource waste and waste generation,” and urged distribution companies to voluntarily reduce the use of packaging materials.
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