Rep. Ahn Hoyoung of DP Calls for Risk-Based Safety Management and Improvement of Biocidal Product Approval Standards

"Household Chemical Products:
Assessing Actual Exposure
Beyond Ingredient Toxicity"

There have been calls to evaluate the safety of daily chemical products such as detergents, air fresheners, and disinfectants not only based on the hazards of individual ingredients, but also by comprehensively considering actual usage amounts and frequency, as well as exposure routes. Demands have also been raised for institutional improvements that would reduce repeated requests for supplementary data in the biocidal product approval process and enable companies to better predict review standards and timelines.

Ahn Hoyoung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a "National Assembly Policy Discussion on Advancing the Safety Management of Daily Chemical Products" on the 21st at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, where government officials, academia, industry, and civil society representatives discussed ways to improve the system. Office of Representative Ahn

On September 21, Ahn Hoyoung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a "National Assembly Policy Discussion on Advancing the Safety Management of Daily Chemical Products" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to discuss scientific risk assessment methods for daily chemical products and possible improvements to the biocidal product approval system.

During the keynote presentation, Professor Kim Kitae of Seoul National University of Science and Technology's Department of Environmental Engineering explained that even with the same substance, actual risk levels can differ depending on factors such as amount and frequency of use, exposure routes like inhalation or skin contact, and ventilation. He emphasized the need for methodologies that assess not only the hazard of individual ingredients but also cumulative risks resulting from combined exposures and repeated use.

On the topic of the biocidal product approval system, opinions were presented that accumulated review experience and evaluation results of similar products should be utilized to reduce redundant reviews, and that data requirements and supplementary criteria need to be clearly communicated from the initial application stage. It was also suggested that instead of issuing repeated requests for supplementary data on the same material, a more comprehensive approach should be taken to raise predictability for companies regarding the approval process.

There were also proposals that, rather than simply conveying whether a particular ingredient is hazardous to consumers, more detailed guidance should be provided on safe usage practices—such as appropriate amounts and ventilation—that can be realistically applied in daily life.

Choi Kyungmoon, Director at Procter & Gamble Korea, stated, "Evaluations should be based on the product's actual usage methods and exposure levels," emphasizing that consistent review standards and integrated supplementary requests are key to enhancing the predictability of the approval process.

Heo Hyein, Director of the Chemical Product Management Division at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, remarked, "We are striving to address procedural inefficiencies while maintaining rigorous standards of safety, effectiveness, and efficacy," and announced plans to officially launch a government-industry consultative body for biocidal products in October to discuss detailed institutional improvements.

Assemblyman Ahn said, "The lesson of the humidifier disinfectant disaster is that after-the-fact responses cannot protect people's lives and health," stressing, "We must strengthen preventive systems based on scientific risk assessment and present companies with clear and predictable criteria."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.