South Korea is to start EU-REACH like system in 2015. This is learnt in the Meeting On Chemical Management Policies Among China, Japan and Korea, which was held in Hangzhou of China on Oct 31^st of 2012.

EU REACH has generated tremendous influence to allover the world since its enaction. Many countries including China have adapted the philosophy of EU REACH on chemical management, i.g. the management not focus only on new chemical substances, but also to existing chemical substance. The recently issued regulation of China ---  Environmental Management On Registration of Hazardous Chemicals --- can be regarded as one implementation of EU REACH philosophy in China.

Japan has also implented EU REACH philosophy. Japan rules that chemicals manufactured/imported more than 1 ton/year shall be reported to government before each June.

Korea version REACH rules that manufacturers or importers of new chemicals and priority evaluation chemicals (PECs) of existing chemical shall make registration to the Ministry of Environmental (MOE) prior to manufacture and import. The PECs are screened out among the existing chemicals concerning theire exposure, hazard and trading volume, etc., which will include 2000 to 2500 chemicals. The PECs list is expected to be released in 2014. The registration grace period for priority 1, 2 and 3 chemicals is 2, 5 and 8 year respectively. Similar to EU REACH, the chemicals manufactured/imported more than 1 ton/year shall be registered, once every two years.

Similar to EU REACH, the Korea REACH allows foreign companies to make the registration through Only Representative registered in Korea.

If the manufactured/imported quantity, usage or hazardous properties of these chemicals change, a new registration shall be made. Also, companies can make joint submissions on the same substance. To avoid repetitive test on animals, companies shall share these test reports.

Since South Korea is a member of OECD, the test data generated from GLP laboratories of OECD members are acceptable for S. Korea REACH.