Exemptions for fragile items, liquids, reused packaging, relaxed size limits weaken regulation.
Ahead of the enforcement of regulations on excessive packaging for parcel deliveries on the 30th of next month, the government has decided to grant a large number of exceptions. Parcel packaging varies depending on the type and size of the product, and criticism has emerged that the government itself created a “patchwork regulation” by attempting to uniformly control these variations.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on the 4th that it would administratively notify a revised draft of the “Notice on Simplified Measurement Methods for Product Packaging Materials and Packaging Methods.” The regulation on excessive parcel packaging requires that items inside a parcel box be packaged only once at most and that the packaging space ratio does not exceed 50%. The intent is to reduce product packaging and use parcel boxes that closely match the product’s size. The regulation applies to product manufacturing, import, and sales companies with annual revenues of 5 billion Korean won or more. Fines are 1 million Korean won for the first violation, 2 million for the second, and 3 million for the third or subsequent violations.
This revised draft added exception clauses. For example, the regulation will not apply to products such as glass, ceramic, clay, liquid, semi-liquid, and meltable items. Products that are fragile or could leak liquids are allowed to use more packaging materials. The regulation will also not apply if two or more products are packaged together or if packaging materials are reused. Additionally, if vinyl packaging materials or paper cushioning materials containing at least 20% recycled raw materials are used, empty space inside the parcel box will be permitted up to 60% and 70%, respectively.
Under the previous notice, packaging space ratio regulations did not apply if the sum of the box’s length, width, and height was 50 cm or less. Small boxes were exempt. However, the revised notice further relaxed the rules, applying the regulation only when the sum exceeds 60 cm if logistics companies use automated packaging and transport equipment. Existing exception provisions, which excluded “cooling materials” from the packaging space ratio calculation, remain unchanged.