Blog (블로그)

Chemical regulations are tightening simultaneously in Korea and abroad, making this an ideal time for companies handling chemical raw materials to reassess their supply chain.

Korea: Grace Periods Under Amended Chemical Laws Now in Effect

Following the August 2025 enforcement of Korea's amended Chemicals Control Act (화관법) and Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (화평법), the previous single toxic substance classification has been restructured into a three-tier system: acute human hazard substances, chronic human hazard substances, and ecological hazard substances. Grace periods for various provisions are now taking effect in sequence — as of July 1, 2026, requirements for chemical substance verification, hazardous chemical labeling, and import reporting for human-hazard substances officially went into force.

Notably, the number of substances newly designated as human-hazard chemicals continues to grow. As hazard assessments for both existing and new chemicals proceed in phases, some mixtures previously outside regulatory scope are now being brought under management for the first time.

Abroad: EU REACH Restriction List Also Expanding

A similar trend is unfolding in Europe. Recent additions to EU REACH's Annex XVII (restricted substances list) have tightened use restrictions on aromatic-family chemicals. Products containing these substances above certain weight thresholds are increasingly banned from market placement, whether for industrial or consumer use.

With regulations tightening in Korea and abroad at nearly the same time, this is no longer a someday issue for companies using chemical raw materials — it is a right now issue.

S-on's Answer — Alternatives That Maintain Performance While Reducing Regulatory Burden

This is exactly where S-on's core strength lies. Rather than simply losing access to a regulated raw material, companies can transition to safe alternatives that maintain equivalent performance while reducing regulatory burden.

For example, we supply alternatives for toluene (widely used in paints, inks, and adhesives), MEK (fire risk due to low flash point), NMP (classified as a reproductive toxin under EU REACH), DMF (hepatotoxicity and reproductive toxicity concerns), MC (methylene chloride) (IARC-classified carcinogen), caustic soda (strong alkaline), nitromethane (explosion risk), and GBL (controlled substance) — covering a comprehensive range of regulated raw materials.

Rather than reacting to each new regulation individually, consider transitioning your raw materials proactively with S-on, a chemical raw materials specialist with 20 years of experience. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

※ This article was adapted based on reporting on Korean chemical regulation developments and EU REACH updates.

Toluene Substitute,
MC (Methylene Chloride), Substitute!
Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) Substitute,
Nitromethane
Nitromethane Substitute,
GBL Substitute,
(Gamma-Butyrolactone Substitute),
DMF (Dimethylformamide) Substitute,
MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) Substitute,
Isooctane,
PE/PP Adhesive,
PE/PP Primer!
Organic Chemicals,
Inorganic Chemicals!
1,3-Dioxolane,
Melamine,
Superchlon 822S

Global specialty chemical company LANXESS recently shared its sustainability strategy at a Global CSR Summit, drawing attention across the industry. According to the presentation, LANXESS achieved three key outcomes through its CSR and sustainability programs: strengthened technology leadership, improved cost structures, and enhanced brand recognition.

LANXESS identified five megatrends shaping the global chemical industry: resource depletion, demographic shifts, urbanization, climate change, and increased mobility. These trends remain highly relevant today, and resource depletion and climate response in particular continue to drive the tightening of chemical regulations, including South Korea's chemical substance control laws.

LANXESS has been recognized for energy savings and emissions reductions across China, India, and Korea. In India, a project replacing fossil fuels with biomass fuel for steam generation cut energy costs by 30–40% and reduced CO2 emissions by 11,830 tons over a two-year period. In Korea, LANXESS Korea's CEO received a commendation from the Ministry of Environment via the Korea Chemicals Management Association (KCMA) for environmental protection efforts.

LANXESS has continued expanding its renewable energy initiatives, including nitrous oxide reduction facilities and cogeneration plants powered by sugarcane byproducts.

These global trends make clear that the chemical industry has moved beyond simply supplying raw materials — regulatory readiness and sustainability now define competitive advantage.

In South Korea, regulations on hazardous chemical substances continue to tighten. S-on supplies Toluene Alternative, MC (Methylene Chloride) Alternative, NaOH Alternative, and Nitromethane Alternative — part of our 9 safe alternative solutions for regulated substances — helping Korean companies stay ahead of an increasingly strict regulatory environment.

S-on has been a trusted chemical solutions partner for 20 years since its founding in 2004, supporting the safe transition of Korean industry in step with global sustainability trends in the chemical sector.

※ This article was adapted from reporting originally published in Chemical Journal (2009.01.21).