South Korean Updates: Mandatory verification for new environmental technologies on water quality (31 Jul 2013)

Mandatory verification for new environmental technologies on water quality

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2013.07.31

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) announced on the 31th that the ‘Support for Environmental Technology and Environmental Industry Act’ aimed at improving the certification and verification system of new environmental technology was promulgated on July 16 and will take effect from January 17 next year.

The revision was undergone to institutionally support the system in order to enhance credibility, public confidence and applicability of new environmental technology.

Under the revised Act, new technologies on water quality such as sewage and waste water treatment and purification will be obligated to undergo comprehensive technology verification based on an on-the-spot inspection, document examination and on-site evaluation for 3 to 10 months.  

Hitherto, technology verification has been optional for the companies which received new technology certification. However, treatment efficiency of the new technology in the field of water quality might vary depending on seasonal factors, changes in inflow water quality and loading amount. Thus, the Ministry makes it mandatory to go through technology verification to improve credibility.

Under the revised Act, the companies that acquired new technology certification should apply for technology verification within 6 months after the Act comes into force. Also, a post evaluation will be conducted to enhance field applicability of the certified or verified technology.

The first term of validity of new environmental technology will be extended from 3 years to 5 years. The certification expiry date can be renewed once up to 5 years after an expiry date of 5 years. The technology verification expiry date can be extended once from 3 to 7 years after an expiry date of 5 years. The extended term of validity will help raise field applicability of new environmental technology.

KEITI said that it will endeavour to support companies and researchers for technology development by enhcancing efficacy and field applicability of new environmental technologies.

Source: 

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