USATO Logo FAS_Logo
top visual
navi pattern Home About ATO U.S Embassy FAQ Contact Us ÇѱÛ
 
Search
 
Market Information
 
c KORUS Free Trade Agreement
Korea Food Market Media Reports
Korea Food Market General Overview
Market Reports (FAS GAIN)
Regulations / Policies
Korea's Agricultural Import Statistics
World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE)
 
Export Supports
 
ATO Activity Highlights
Upcoming ATO Activity
Korean Importer List
GSM 102
SRTG Branded / Generic Program
 
Korean Importer Supports
 
ATO Newsletter
American Food Industry News
Buyer Alert
U.S. Supplier List
Marketing Resources
 
Contacts / Resources
 
USDA Cooperators
State Department of Agriculture
State Regional Trade Group
Association of American State Offices in Korea
American Chamber of Commerce in Korea
 
 
Home > Market Information > Regulations / Policies
Regulations / Policies
 
Trade Policy Import Requirements BSE Info
 
Food Laws and Implementing Ministries
 
Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW): Although most of the food regulation authorities were relinquished to the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) in 1998, MHW still retains the authority to legislate changes to the Food Sanitation Act and the Functional Food Act.

Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA): The principle agency charged with ensuring that foods are safe, sound, wholesome and correctly labeled. KFDA is also responsible for ensuring that medicines are safe, effective, and that side effects are properly noted. Except for meat, poultry and dairy products, which are regulated by the Korean Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, KFDA is responsible for setting and implementing standards and specifications for food in general, functional food, food additives, food packaging, containers and equipment. KFDA standards and specifications apply to both domestically produced and imported food products.

arrow KFDA Inspection Guidelines for Imported Foods
arrow Import Procedures into the Republic of Korea
arrow 2004 Food Additive Code, Food Code and Labeling Standards

Labeling standards, food codes, and import requirements can change frequently in Korea. Therefore, we strongly advise you to maintain close contact with your Korean importer, who will be the best resource regarding the latest information on these requirements.

Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF): Responsible for establishing regulations and standards related to agricultural products, including livestock and dairy products. Several agencies within MAF are responsible for issuing and enforcing regulations.
 
arrow The National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service (NVRQS)
  Responsible for implementing regulations pertaining to both domestic and imported animals and livestock products.
arrow The National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS)
  Responsible for implementing regulations pertaining to plants .
arrow The National Agricultural Product Quality Management Service (NAQS)
  Responsible for setting quality standards and grades for agricultural products, such as organic standards for agricultural produce, and enforcing country of origin labeling. NAQS is also the official inspection agency for testing of GMO products.
arrow The Rural Development Administration (RDA)
  Responsible for developing the rural sector and administering policies on research and development of new agricultural technologies, extension work and training for farmers.
 
For more information, please refer to the most recently updated Food and Agricultural Import Regulations Standards Report for the Republic of Korea.
 
bottom pattern
 
 
TOTAL : 0
TODAY : 0
Agricultural Trade Office, American Embassy - Seoul
Tel: 82-2-6951-6848 Fax: 82-2-720-7921
Email: atoseoul@state.gov