Press Release

Board View

South Korea to Lead International Standards for Groundwater

▷ South Korea was selected as secretariat to ISO/TC 113/SC 8 Groundwater


Sejong, August 1 - The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER, President Kim Dong-jin), an affiliate of the Ministry of Environment, announced that it would carry out various tasks of the Subcommittee for groundwater under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 113 from August. South Korea was selected as the Secretariat to the SC8 on December 22, 2021. It is the first time South Korea has taken the role of the International Secretariat of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the field of environment. Environmental Research of NIER, Kim MoonSu, was appointed as the Committee manager of the ISO/TC 113/SC 8. Honorary professor Hamm Se-yeong of Pusan University was elected as the chairperson, and he will serve for three years until 2025. 


ISO/TC 113/SC 8 was established in 1993, holding 17 member countries up to the present. The Subcommittee is in charge of standardizing methods, procedures, instruments, and equipment relating to techniques for hydrometric determination of water flow and amount. The Subcommittee seeks to internationalize techniques for groundwater management. The Secretariat carries out the fundamental functions of the Committee, from Committee operation to communication with member nations.


As the Subcommittee Secretariat, the NIER plans vitalize proposals for new standards in the field of environment and maintain a close liaison system with members to develop a standardization strategy for groundwater.


"South Korea's nomination as the SC 8 Secretariat will strengthen international collaboration for developing groundwater standards," said Shin Seon-gyeong, Director-General of Environmental Infrastructure Research Department of NIER. She added, "We expect domestic enterprises to occupy global markets for environmental standards, which will ultimately boost our country's competitive edge."


Contact: Kim MoonSu, Researcher

National Institute of Environmental Research / +82-(0)32-560-7907


Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

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