South Korea Requires Regular Testing of Harmful Substances in Tobacco

Feb.07.2025
South Korea Requires Regular Testing of Harmful Substances in Tobacco
South Korea Government requires tobacco manufacturers to regularly test harmful substances and publicly disclose results starting November.

According to a report from N.News on February 6th, the South Korean government will require tobacco manufacturers and sellers to conduct regular inspections of harmful substances in tobacco starting in November, and to publicly disclose detailed inspection results.


The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Food and Drug Safety Ministry of South Korea announced on the 6th the implementation decree and detailed rules of the "Tobacco Harmfulness Management Law". The law requires harmful ingredient testing to be conducted within one month after tobacco products are marketed. Tobacco manufacturers and importers are required to test the harmful ingredient content of their products every two years and submit the results to the Food and Drug Safety Ministry, which will then be made public to the national public. E-cigarette e-liquid and heated tobacco devices are also included in the inspection scope.


According to the newly enacted regulations and implementation guidelines, tobacco manufacturers and importers must conduct harmful ingredient tests on existing products within three months of the law's implementation date, and apply for testing again by June every two years thereafter.


Tobacco manufacturers are required to submit their test results to the Director of the Food and Drug Safety Administration within 15 days of receiving them. The Director will then publicly disclose information on harmful ingredients, as well as details on their toxicity and carcinogenicity, on the official website by December 31st each year.


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