Examination and Suggestions on Introducing and Administering Confidential Information Review on Material Safety Data Sheets

국내 물질안전보건자료 영업비밀 심사제도의 도입·운영에 대한 검토 및 제안

Objectives: From a policy perspective, the introduction of confidential information reviews is a vital task for expanding workers' right to know and improving hazardous materials information communication. In this study, rational methods for introducing and administering confidential information reviews were examined as a part of advancing chemical information communication. Methods: The domestic status, social demands, and control cases from other countries about confidential information in material safety data sheets(MSDSs) were all examined. Additionally, principles for introducing MSDS confidential information review, what needs to be revised prior to its introduction, and procedures and manners of reviewing confidential information were suggested. Results and Conclusions: When composition information on MSDS needs to be protected in the EU and Canada, confidential information should be claimed and then approved by competent authorities with a principle of reviewing confidential information prior to rescinding information from MSDS. Applying the same principle, certain information on an MSDS that needs to be protected should be reviewed and approved in Korea. As a result, the MSDS is communicated with approval numbers replacing composition information. MSDS confidential information review has five steps, including deciding whether chemicals claimed to be confidential are excluded from applying for a confidentiality exemption, the names and concentration ranges of ingredients are adequate, and the claimed information is valid in terms of confidentiality.