Plastic products and containers that contain a certain percentage of recycled materials derived from waste plastics will be allowed to display a label indicating the recycled content ratio. (Image courtesy of the Ministry of Environment)
SEOUL, Apr. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Consumers in South Korea will soon have an easier time identifying plastic products made with a significant amount of recycled materials, allowing them to make more environmentally conscious purchasing decisions.
The Ministry of Environment announced on March 28 that the “Labeling System for the Use of Recycled Plastic Materials” would take effect the following day.
Under this new system, plastic products and containers that contain a certain percentage of recycled materials derived from waste plastics will be allowed to display a label indicating the recycled content ratio.
For products without a physical label, a QR code will provide information including the recycled material usage rate.
The minimum threshold for labeling is 20% recycled content for electrical and electronic products, and 10% for other products, containers, and food-grade PET bottles.
Manufacturers seeking certification must undergo on-site inspections by the Ministry of Environment. The certification is valid for three years, and the ministry plans to conduct at least one annual inspection to ensure compliance with the stated recycled material usage rates.
The ministry explained that by adopting international eco-friendly certification systems like the EU’s ISCC PLUS, companies will not face additional certification burdens to display their recycled plastic content. Existing ISCC PLUS certifications can be used as supporting documentation, and efforts will be made to establish mutual recognition between domestic and international certifications in the long run.
The ministry is also considering additional incentives for companies that use recycled materials. Currently, companies under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system can reduce their recycling obligations by up to 10% when using recycled plastic materials. The ministry plans to increase this reduction to 20%.
Furthermore, the ministry aims to raise the recycled content target for transparent PET bottles to 30% by 2030. To achieve this, it will set phased goals and pursue voluntary agreements with the industry to encourage the use of recycled materials.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
