By establishing a systematic chemical management system based on the environmental management system, we manage chemicals by product, part, and material and build a database to systematically and effectively manage regulatory responses to prevent related risks.

We aim to achieve zero chemical risk by establishing a global chemical regulatory monitoring system and IT thereof, establishing a chemical management system and IT thereof for the development process, and establishing a chemical management system for mass-produced products, and by continuously improving and enhancing management. We are responding to environmental and chemical regulations such as EU RoHS II, REACH, and biocidal substances, and are promoting responses based on a proactive regulatory response system so that we can preemptively respond to new/changing regulations. In 2022, we strengthened our proactive regulatory response system by establishing a regulatory monitoring IT system. Coway will continue to secure safety for all household appliances, not just environmental appliances, by strictly complying with domestic and international chemical laws and regulations.

In addition, Coway has considered the management of conflict minerals in its supply chain when establishing the existing Chemical Substance Management System and has prepared for effective regulatory responses through processes such as registering conflict minerals and responsible minerals, creating a database, and approving them. Coway plans to allow access to the conflict minerals management process within the Chemical Substance Management System from 2023, and to continuously operate and upgrade the conflict minerals management process.

Coway is drawing up plans to voluntarily reduce the use of potentially hazardous substances, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants. PVC generates toxic substances and environmental hormones in the process of product use and disposal and has detrimental effects on humans and the natural environment. BFR is known to potentially cause cancer or genetic modification when it enters the human body. Coway plans to make all of its air-purifier products free from PVC and BFR and minimize the use of potentially harmful substances through consistent monitoring and analysis.

Despite concerns about biocidal products that were called for after the humidifier sterilizer scandal, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment where safety management for household chemicals and various biocidal products is even more critical as household chemicals are used for a variety of sanitation and disinfection purposes around the world.

The Ministry of Environment, enterprises and consumer groups have signed and implemented the Voluntary Agreement for the Safety Management of Household Chemicals to restore public confidence in household chemicals and is committed to providing safe products. Coway joined the Voluntary Agreement in 2019 and is committed to manufacturing and selling safer products by disclosing all ingredients of daily chemical products, assessing the safety of each raw material, and substituting less hazardous raw materials. Under the third voluntary agreement, which has been running since 2022, Coway aims to spread a culture of voluntary product safety management and corporate social responsibility. This is done not only by assessing the safety of raw materials contained in products and taking measures to reduce hazardous raw materials, but also by establishing management principles for the product safety management of chemicals and cooperation among companies in product safety management.