South Korea to Exclude Cement Products from Eco-Friendly Certification Due to Carcinogenic Substance

In a significant policy shift, South Korea's Ministry of Environment has decided to exclude cement products from its eco-friendly certification program. This decision comes after hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen, was detected in several cement products.

The move aligns with recommendations from a National Assembly audit, which argued that granting eco-friendly certification to products containing harmful substances to human health was inappropriate. Democratic Party lawmaker Noh Woong-rae revealed that the Ministry had completed amendments to the "Environmental Labeling Products and Certification Standards," effectively removing cement from the list of certifiable products by the end of 2023.

Hexavalent chromium can be absorbed through respiration, ingestion, or skin contact, posing risks of cancer and skin diseases. Investigations by Noh's office in 2022 found that three tested cement products exceeded the EU's legal limits for hexavalent chromium by up to 4.5 times. This substance is often found in cement products manufactured by burning waste, highlighting environmental and health concerns associated with such practices.

The Ministry's decision to revise its certification standards is a response to these health risks and aims to prevent misleading the public about the environmental and health safety of cement products. This change underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that eco-friendly certifications genuinely reflect products' safety and environmental impact.

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