Will ‘Evian’ also remove its label? Review of mandatory label-free imported drinking spring water

Discussions have begun in earnest about regulating imported drinking spring water to remove the plastic label on the outside of the product, just like domestically produced water.

According to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on the 8th, the Ministry of Climate Affairs recently met with the drinking spring water import industry and heard their opinions regarding the ‘label-free transition.’

It was reported that at this meeting, they explored the possibility of imposing label-free obligations on imported drinking spring water like domestic products.

The Ministry of Climate Change said that it had collected opinions on other issues through routine consultations with the industry, and that it had not decided to apply the label-free obligation to imported drinking spring water.

However, it is reported that the company has begun an internal review to impose a label-free obligation on imported drinking spring water.

Starting January 1 of this year, labels will no longer be affixed to drinking spring water manufactured domestically. Product information contained on the label is provided through a QR code printed on the bottle cap. Based on the fact that domestic drinking spring water production is 5.2 billion bottles in 2024, the Ministry of Climate Change estimated that 2,270 tons less plastic will be used per year under the label-free obligation.

Currently, the label-free obligation does not apply to drinking spring water produced and imported abroad. Products that are classified as 'mixed drinks' due to the addition of minerals, etc. are recognized by consumers as 'mineral water', but since they are not legally drinking spring water, there is no obligation to label them.

Accordingly, domestic drinking spring water companies raise ‘equity issues’.

Kim Do-young, CEO of Jeju Development Corporation, which produces and sells Samdasoo, said at a recent press conference that he agrees with the purpose of the label-free obligation, but pointed out, "After switching to label-free, the time it takes for consumers to search for products has increased, and this can affect consumer choice." He also announced that he would recommend to the authorities that the label-free obligation be applied to imported products as well.

Some are concerned that mandatory labeling of imported drinking spring water may only increase the possibility of trade disputes without effect. It is known that the proportion of imported products in the domestic drinking spring water market is only in the single digits.

The Ministry of Climate Change has recently begun to investigate the current status of the drinking spring water market.

The sale of drinking spring water to general consumers was permitted in 1995.

According to Samil PwC Management Research Institute, as of September 30, 2024, there are 63 domestic drinking spring water manufacturers and 107 import sales companies.

The size of the domestic drinking spring water market is expected to reach $4.26 billion (approximately KRW 5.7169 trillion) in 2024, growing at an average annual rate of 7.6% since 2019 ($2.95 billion).