SME Chemical Safety Management Capacity Up... Korea Federation of SMEs and Ministry of Environment Sign 'Lighthouse Workplace' MOU

Support for Improvement and Replacement Costs of Aging Hazardous Chemical Facilities
Assistance in Preparing Chemical Accident Prevention Management Plans

The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (Kbiz) announced on the 3rd that it has jointly signed a business agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Korea Environment Corporation, and other related organizations at the Kbiz headquarters in Yeouido to establish the "Chemical Safety Lighthouse Project."

SME Chemical Safety Management Capacity Up... Korea Federation of SMEs and Ministry of Environment Sign 'Lighthouse Workplace' MOU

Kim Ki-moon, President of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

This project was created to enhance the overall chemical safety management capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is a package-type support project that selects a few companies with weak industrial safety and nurtures them as leading pilot sites to serve as lighthouses guiding chemical safety.

Key aspects include support for up to 70% (42 million KRW) of the costs for improving or replacing outdated hazardous chemical handling facilities, assistance in preparing chemical accident prevention management plans, and safety inspections of aging gas and electrical facilities. Through preliminary diagnosis, support projects suitable for each company will be provided.

Attending the signing ceremony were Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of Kbiz, Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, along with representatives from six organizations including Korea Environment Corporation, Korea Surface Treatment Industry Cooperative, Korea Paint and Ink Industry Cooperative, and Korea Metal Resources Industry Association.

Chairman Kim said, "Many companies lack safety professionals, making it difficult not only to prevent accidents in advance but also to take appropriate measures when accidents occur. We hope that through this project, many lighthouse pilot sites will be developed, improving the safety management capabilities of SMEs."