Seoul City Conducts Intensive Inspection of Excessive Packaging at Department Stores and Retail Outlets Ahead of Lunar New Year

From the 9th to the 27th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Seoul City announced on the 8th that it will conduct intensive inspections on repackaging and excessive packaging mainly at distribution stores such as department stores and large discount stores to prevent environmental pollution and resource waste caused by excessive packaging during the Seol holiday.

The inspection will be carried out for three weeks from the 9th to the 27th by a joint inspection team composed of 25 autonomous districts of Seoul and specialized institutions. In particular, from the 17th to the 19th, three days just before the Seol holiday, Seoul City, autonomous districts, and the Korea Environment Corporation plan to conduct joint inspections targeting areas densely populated with large department stores (Yeongdeungpo-gu, Gangnam-gu, Songpa-gu).

The inspection and crackdown targets are confectionery, alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, miscellaneous goods (toys, stationery, wallets, etc.), and comprehensive products. If excessive packaging is detected by exceeding the packaging space ratio (10% to 35% or less depending on the item) and packaging frequency limits (within 1st to 2nd packaging depending on the item), a fine of up to 3 million KRW will be imposed.

For suspected excessively packaged products, an inspection will be requested from a packaging inspection specialized institution, and if the standard is exceeded, a fine of 1 million KRW will be imposed. If the violation is not corrected despite the fine and is detected again, a fine of 2 million KRW will be imposed for the second violation, and 3 million KRW for the third violation.

In addition, if synthetic resin film or sheet is used to repackage products during the sales process, a fine of up to 3 million KRW will be imposed.

However, ▲first-grade food (natural products such as unprocessed agricultural and marine products), ▲products that are not sold individually but are bundled and packaged as unit products, ▲and cases where the product purchaser requests gift wrapping, etc., are not considered repackaging.

Choi Cheol-woong, head of the Resource Circulation Division of Seoul City, 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.