Assemblyman Kim Seong-won, "Overpackaging Issue Still Serious Despite Environmental Pollution Concerns"

137 Cases of Overpackaging Violations Detected in 2021

Kim Seong-won, a member of the People Power Party and the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee (Dongducheon·Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi) [Office of Assemblyman Kim Seong-won]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Despite ongoing crackdowns on excessive packaging that exacerbates environmental pollution, it has been revealed that many companies still violate standards regarding product packaging materials and methods.

On the 16th, Kim Seong-won, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party (representing Dongducheon·Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi), analyzed data titled "Status of Violations of Regulations on Standards for Product Packaging Materials and Methods," submitted by the Ministry of Environment, and found that the issue of excessive packaging has not decreased.

The regulations on standards for product packaging materials and methods prohibit excessive packaging by setting packaging space ratio standards (between 10% and 35%) and packaging frequency limits (within primary and secondary packaging) for food and beverage products, cosmetics, miscellaneous goods, and electronic products, but these are not being properly followed.

According to Assemblyman Kim, despite trends to strengthen excessive packaging prevention standards, such as revising packaging method standards by product type, violations of excessive packaging and repackaging regulations were detected in 123 cases in 2018, 143 cases in 2019, 116 cases in 2020, and 137 cases in 2021 (as of August 31), indicating that the excessive packaging problem remains unresolved.

Furthermore, since the authority to impose and collect fines lies with the relevant local governments, it would be efficient for specialized agencies (Korea Environment Corporation, Korea Construction Environment Testing Institute) and local governments to jointly conduct crackdowns on excessive packaging according to the regulations on product packaging materials and methods. However, the number of local governments participating in focused crackdowns on excessive packaging is actually decreasing.

Assemblyman Kim stated, "Heightened awareness of excessive packaging is especially required ahead of Chuseok," adding, "Currently, excessive packaging inspections are limited to cases where local governments conduct crackdowns or companies voluntarily request inspections."

He continued, "To prevent resource waste caused by unnecessary packaging waste, I hope the government and local governments will show a more proactive stance in inspections, such as regularizing inspections, rather than concentrating crackdowns only during specific periods like holidays."