South Korea’s K-REACH: Why it Matters for Everyone with Karin Baron

This week, we have B&C’s and The Acta Group’s Senior Regulatory Consultant, Karin Baron, back in the studio to discuss K-REACH, its recent amendment, and potential harmonization of chemical regulations in the region.  K-REACH is the South Korean government’s industrial chemical substance registration program signed into law in 2013, and effective in 2015. Karin is uniquely well-suited to provide practice tips and information on why our listeners should be aware of what is going on with this South Korea chemical regulatory program.  As a well-recognized expert in international hazard classification programs like the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) and domestic OSHA Hazard Communication, as well as a veteran of European Union  (EU) REACH chemical hazard and risk assessment issues, Karin draws upon her extensive experiential database to paint a picture of what stakeholders exporting chemicals to South Korea need to be aware of and navigate around to be commercially successful.  Like so many new global chemical programs, K-REACH is similar to EU REACH, but maddeningly different to cause serious commercial disruption for the unprepared. In our conversation, Karin lays out the case for why everyone in the regulatory space might do well to pay close attention to K-REACH, not just those with business interests in South Korea.  Karin breaks down how K-REACH works, how it was developed, and how it differs from the EU REACH framework.  We discuss the fast-paced development and implementation of recent amendments to the legislation as well as the concept of “REACH-creep,” and what it might mean for the future of the ASIA-PACIFIC region. Finally, for those with specific interests in South Korea, listen up, because Karin has some valuable information to share before moving forward and meeting important deadlines. As always, it was great having Karin in the studio to discuss K-REACH.  Whether or not you currently have a business in South Korea, you are sure to get something useful out of this podcast.  So, here is my discussion with Karin Baron, Senior Regulatory Consultant here at B&C and Acta, about K-REACH. ALL MATERIALS IN THIS PODCAST ARE PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. THE MATERIALS ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES. ALL LEGAL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED DIRECTLY BY A LICENSED ATTORNEY PRACTICING IN THE APPLICABLE AREA OF LAW.