Comparing Korean and European chemical substance regulations
Both K-REACH and EU REACH are comprehensive chemical management frameworks, but they differ significantly in scope, classification systems, and regulatory requirements. Companies operating in both markets need to understand these differences for compliance.
| Aspect | K-REACH (Korea) | EU REACH |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals | Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals |
| Effective Since | 2015 | 2007 |
| Regulatory Body | Ministry of Environment / KECO | European Commission / ECHA |
| Substance Identifiers | KE numbers | EC numbers |
| Registered Substances | 46,000+ | 23,000+ (ECHA registered) |
| Classification Types | 9 types (toxic, restricted, prohibited, CMR, etc.) | SVHC list, Annex XIV, Annex XVII |
| GHS Implementation | Korean GHS (aligned with UN GHS) | CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008) |
| Language | Korean (한국어) | All EU languages |
| Public API | No official API (K-REACH API fills this gap) | ECHA provides some data services |
| Registration Threshold | 1 tonne/year | 1 tonne/year |
A substance classified as "Restricted" under K-REACH may not be on EU's Annex XVII, and vice versa. Korean classifications include unique categories like "Accident Preparedness Substances" (사고대비물질) that have no direct EU equivalent.
EU REACH data is relatively accessible through ECHA's website and data services. K-REACH data is largely locked behind Korean-language government portals with no official API. The K-REACH Chemical Substance API bridges this gap by providing structured, English-language access to Korean regulatory data.
While both systems implement GHS, the specific hazard classifications may differ for the same substance. Korean GHS data should be checked independently from EU CLP data.
The K-REACH Chemical Substance API provides instant access to Korean regulatory data, complementing your existing EU REACH data sources. Boolean flags enable quick screening across all 9 Korean classification types.
Fill the Korean data gap in your compliance system
Get API Key on RapidAPI