[Background]

As the Clean Air Conservation Act was amended (Act No. 21778, promulgated on June 9, 2026, entering into force on December 10, 2026) to strengthen inspection standards and follow-up management for motor vehicles equipped with emission reduction devices and to supplement sanctions for violations, this amendment aims to prescribe matters delegated by the Act and those necessary for its enforcement, as well as to improve and supplement operational shortcomings in the current system. Key measures include:

Specifying catalytic converters as the low-emission engine components subject to return upon deregistration of motor vehicles and construction machinery modified or replaced with low-emission engines;

Specifying the compliance period and detailed procedures for performance maintenance confirmation orders issued to vehicle owners who have failed to obtain such confirmation;

Adjusting the emission inspection exemption period for vehicles with verified performance maintenance up to 2 years, taking into account the inspection cycles for each vehicle type;

Aligning the entity responsible for post-installation performance maintenance of emission reduction devices with the certification-holding entity; and

Specifying detailed matters regarding the execution of delegated tasks, such as the designation and management of certification testing agencies that perform certification testing duties for emission reduction devices on behalf of the Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment.

[Main Points]

A. Specifying Low-Emission Engine Parts Subject to Return upon Deregistration of Subsidized Vehicles (Draft Article 79-5, Paragraph 4)

Clarifies that only catalytic converters with remaining residual value are subject to return, based on a comparison between the disposal salvage value of each low-emission engine device/part and the cost of return.

B. Specifying Follow-up Management Procedures for Vehicles Subject to Low-Emission Measures (Draft Article 82-3)

Establishes detailed procedures, including standard forms and compliance deadlines, for fulfilling performance maintenance confirmation orders for low-emission converted vehicles.

Establishes adjustments to the exemption period for periodic and close emission inspections for vehicles with verified performance maintenance, taking into account inspection cycles by vehicle type*:

* Passenger cars: 2 years; Vans, trucks, and special-purpose vehicles: 1 year and 6 months.

C. Aligning the Entity Responsible for Post-Installation Performance Maintenance with the Certification Entity (Draft Articles 82-5, 82-8, 82-10, and 82-11)

Secures legal consistency by changing the party responsible for performance maintenance after installing emission reduction devices from "a person intending to manufacture, supply, or sell" to "a person who manufactured or imported," thereby unifying the certification entity with the entity subject to performance checks, reduction efficiency verification tests, and ad-hoc inspections.

D. Specifying Details on the Designation, Management, and Execution of Tasks for Certification Testing Agencies (Draft Articles 82-12, 82-13, and Attached Table 21-3)

Establishes detailed regulations and application forms for the designation criteria and procedures of certification testing agencies for reduction devices, etc.

Establishes reporting standards requiring agencies to report modifications within 30 days if there are changes to designated technical personnel, facilities, or equipment.

Establishes legal grounds for verifying the execution status of delegated tasks, including detailed compliance requirements and management conditions for certification testing agencies.

E. Establishing Administrative Disposition Standards for Certification Testing Agencies (Draft Attached Table 36)

Establishes criteria for administrative dispositions by type of prohibited act regarding the unlawful execution of delegated duties by certification testing agencies operating on behalf of the Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment.