Unit Price Labeling System Implemented in Large Online Shopping Malls Since July
- SEOUL, South Korea (Yonhap) — South Korea will mandate an expanded unit price labeling system starting in July, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
- Reflecting the increasing popularity of single-serving meals and pet-related products, the number of items subject to unit price labeling will increase from 84 to 114.
- The updated regulations extend the unit price labeling requirement to major online shopping platforms with annual transaction volumes exceeding ₩10 trillion.However, recognizing the need for system adjustments, a...
Expanded Unit Price Labeling System Coming to South Korean Retail
Table of Contents
- Expanded Unit Price Labeling System Coming to South Korean Retail
- Expanded Unit Price Labeling in South Korea: What Consumers Need to No
- What is unit price labeling?
- What’s changing with South Korea’s new regulations?
- What products will be affected by the expansion?
- which online retailers must comply?
- When will these changes take effect?
- Will online retailers have time to adapt?
- What about the measurement guidelines?
- Are there any exceptions to the standardized measurements?
- Why is the government implementing these changes?
- Implementation Timeline Summary
SEOUL, South Korea (Yonhap) — South Korea will mandate an expanded unit price labeling system starting in July, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The revised guidelines, which will be formally announced on April 7th following regulatory review, aim to provide consumers with clearer price comparisons amid evolving shopping trends.
more Items Included in Unit Price Labeling
Reflecting the increasing popularity of single-serving meals and pet-related products, the number of items subject to unit price labeling will increase from 84 to 114. This expansion includes processed foods such as instant rice,packaged kimchi,nuts,and Korean dipping sauce (ssamjang). Household goods like laundry soap,kitchen towels,hand soap,body wash,lotion,wet wipes,and pet food will also be included.
Online Retailers to Comply, Grace Period Provided
The updated regulations extend the unit price labeling requirement to major online shopping platforms with annual transaction volumes exceeding ₩10 trillion.However, recognizing the need for system adjustments, a one-year grace period will be granted to online retailers to implement the changes.
Standardized measurement Guidelines
The principle for unit price display will adhere to standardized measurements such as per 100g,10g,100ml,or 10ml,depending on the product category. Exceptions will be made where strict adherence is impractical, allowing retailers to display prices based on the weight or volume indicated on the product packaging. Such as, while price per meter is the standard for paper foil, retailers can display the price per sheet for the type used in air fryers.
Implementation Timeline
The revised regulations will take effect three months after the official declaration. The Ministry of Industry stated its intention to develop and distribute detailed guidelines for unit price labeling during the grace period, taking into account the specific characteristics of both brick-and-mortar stores and online marketplaces.
consumer Protection focus
The government initiated the amendment process in October of last year, gathering feedback and conducting regulatory reviews in response to concerns that some companies were reducing product sizes while maintaining prices, effectively raising costs for consumers. The expanded unit price labeling system is intended to combat this practice and promote greater price clarity.
kim Dong-kyu,Yonhap News,dkkim@yna.co.kr
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Published: April 2, 2025
Expanded Unit Price Labeling in South Korea: What Consumers Need to No
This article will break down South Korea’s new unit price labeling system, explaining how it works and what it means for shoppers.
What is unit price labeling?
Unit price labeling displays the price of a product per a standard unit of measure (e.g., per 100g, 100ml, etc.). This helps consumers easily compare prices of different sizes or brands, even if the packaging isn’t the same.
What’s changing with South Korea’s new regulations?
South Korea is expanding its unit price labeling system.This expansion will increase the number of products that require unit price labeling and will also extend the requirements to online retailers.
What products will be affected by the expansion?
The number of items subject to unit price labeling will increase from 84 to 114 different items. This includes:
Processed Foods: Instant rice, packaged kimchi, nuts, and Korean dipping sauce (ssamjang).
Household goods: Laundry soap, kitchen towels, hand soap, body wash, lotion, wet wipes, and pet food.
which online retailers must comply?
Major online shopping platforms with annual transaction volumes exceeding ₩10 trillion will be required to comply with the new unit price labeling regulations.
When will these changes take effect?
The revised regulations are set to take effect three months after the official declaration. The official announcement is scheduled for April 7th. This means the new rules will likely be implemented in July.
Will online retailers have time to adapt?
Yes, online retailers will be granted a one-year grace period to implement the necessary changes to their systems.
What about the measurement guidelines?
The unit price display will adhere to standardized measurements based on the product category. these include,per 100g,10g,100ml,or 10ml.
Are there any exceptions to the standardized measurements?
Yes. Exceptions will be made where strict adherence to standardized measurements is impractical. Retailers can display prices based on the weight or volume indicated on the product packaging. For example,while price per meter is the standard for paper foil,retailers can display the price per sheet for paper foil used in air fryers.
Why is the government implementing these changes?
The government initiated the amendment process in October last year. The primary aim is to enhance consumer protection. This action was in response to concerns that some companies were reducing product sizes while keeping prices the same, which effectively increases costs for consumers without their awareness. The unit price labeling system is intended to counteract this practice, providing greater price clarity.
Implementation Timeline Summary
Here’s a swift overview of the key dates and timelines:
| Event | Date | Details |
| —————————————– | ————————- | ——————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Official Announcement of New Guidelines | April 7, 2025 | Following regulatory review. |
| Regulations Effective | Approximately July 2025 | Three months after the official declaration. |
| Grace Period for Online Retailers | One year from implementation | Allows online platforms to adjust their systems. |
| Ministry’s Action | During Grace Period | Will develop and distribute detailed guidelines, considering both brick-and-mortar and online retail specifics.|