KOTRA Publishes 'EU ESG Trade Policy Guidebook'... Briefing Session to be Held on the 13th

Introduction of Key Issues with Korea Productivity Center
Conducted 'EU ESG Trade Talk Show' with Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Sharing Industry-Specific Response Know-How for Battery and Steel Sectors

KOTRA announced on the 3rd that, together with the Korea Productivity Center, it will publish the 'European Union (EU) ESG Trade Policy Response Guidebook' on the 4th. With the recent strengthening of human rights and environmental regulations by the EU, this guidebook is expected to serve as a reference for Korean companies aiming to enter the European market.

This guidebook focuses on key elements that Korean companies should pay attention to in the EU's ESG trade policy, covering ▲major checkpoints ▲response cases of global companies ▲K-ESG guidelines.

It organizes and selects key regulations that companies must know, categorized by disclosure, due diligence, and environmental standards.

In the 'disclosure' section, it includes the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Taxonomy, and Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). The 'due diligence' section covers the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), battery regulations, and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The 'environment' section contains the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to be fully implemented in 2026, the Eco-design Regulation (ESPR) that came into effect last July, and the 'Directive on Strengthening Consumer Rights for Green Transition,' known as the Greenwashing Prevention Act.

In line with the publication of this guidebook, KOTRA will hold a briefing session for our mid-sized and small enterprises on the 13th at Hotel Peyto Gangnam in Seocho-gu, Seoul, together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The briefing will be attended by major industry companies such as LG Energy Solution (battery), POSCO (steel), and the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (textile and fashion). They will share cases of responding to EU trade policies. Attendees will be able to receive Q&A materials related to EU ESG published by KOTRA at the briefing.

Lee Ji-hyung, Head of KOTRA's Economic and Trade Cooperation Headquarters, said, "Meeting EU standards is an important factor in enhancing competitiveness in the global market amid the global trend of strengthening ESG regulations. We will continue to actively support our companies in thorough preparation so they can seize opportunities, together with the government."