Sejong, May 16 - The Vice Minister of Environment recently paid a visit to companies specializing in EV battery recycling. Additionally, the Environment Ministry made efforts toward environmental deregulation.

The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) is actively seeking ways to assist companies facing environmental challenges by reviewing and enhancing relevant regulations. Vice Minister of Environment, Yoo Je-chul, visited SungEel HiTech, a company that recycles electric vehicle batteries in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, on May 15. During the visit, he received feedback from the recycling industry and discussed potential support to address their concerns.

The recycling industry is facing a challenge in acquiring sufficient raw materials due to a regulation that restricts the storage amount of waste materials, like used batteries and scrap, to less than 30 days of the daily processing capacity. These waste materials are essential as they serve as the raw materials for recycling.

The Ministry of Environment has recently extended the storage restriction period from 30 days to 180 days to secure materials. The proactive administration committee deliberated the decision in April 2025. Moreover, in May 2023, the standard will be improved before the amendment of the subordinate statutes of the Wastes Control Act (Enforcement Decree) to ease the burden on the electric vehicle battery recycling industry.

Vice Minister Yoo Je-chul stated, "It has been observed that in some instances, the laws and regulations pertaining to electric vehicle battery recycling have lagged behind the advancements and changes in the technology." He added, "Our goal is to regularly review and eliminate unnecessary regulations so that the industry can quickly reap the benefits of these changes."

Contact: Kim Hyung-rae, Deputy Director

Resource Recycling Division / +82-(0)44-201-7384

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr