(1) Reasons for Proposal

Under the current Act, where a dioxin discharge facility violates permissible discharge standards, only an order of improvement may be imposed. In accordance with the amendment (promulgated on June 12, 2018, to enter into force on December 13, 2018) to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Control Act, under which an order of suspension of use shall be imposed in principle and an order of improvement may only be imposed in cases where the degree of violation is minor, thereby strengthening administrative dispositions, this Amendment aims to reflect matters delegated by the Act and to improve other shortcomings.

(2) Major Provisions

A. Modify provisions concerning the imposition and implementation of administrative dispositions, such as the establishment of what constitutes a ‘discharge facility whose violation of permissible discharge standards is minor in degree,’ etc.

1) Prescribe that a discharge facility where the time period required for improvement is less than sixty (60) days or where the discharge in excess of the permitted discharge standard is 30% or less of such standard is a discharge facility whose violation is minor (Article 8 (1) and attached Table 4, subparagraph 3)

2) As for the order for improvement according to the proviso to Article 16, paragraph 1 of the Act, modify the total period for improvement that may be imposed, including the initial period for improvement and period extensions, from one (1) year to four (4) months (Article 8 (3)).

3) Change the current admnistrative disposition standards where only an order of improvement may be imposed for exceeding the permissible discharge standard to where an order of suspension of use may be imposed, in accordance with the amendment to Article 16 of the Act, etc. (Article 11, attached Table 4)

B. Reduce the time period for making reports/change reports of the status of use of equipment subject to control from ten (10) days to seven (7) days and supplement other shortcomings in operation of the system