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Demonstrating transparency in the recycling process by acquiring international certification for marine waste recycling

  • Date

    2026.01.29.

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    30

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Demonstrating transparency in the recycling process by acquiring international certification for marine waste recycling
  • Acquired two types of international certification for marine waste recycling (ISCC PLUS and OBP)
  • Meeting international standards from marine waste collection to supply as recycled raw materials


  The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) acquired  ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) and OBP (Ocean Bound Plastic) certifications for marine waste recycling.

Managed by the ISCC System GmbH in Germany, ISCC PLUS certifies that a product was produced from sustainable materials such as biomass or waste. On the other hand, OBP verifies the overall process from the collection to the recycling of plastics at risk of entering the ocean. It is managed by Zero Plastic Oceans in France.

  These certifications verify that Korea has met international standards of transparency from the collection stage of marine waste through its supply as recycled raw materials, based on the operations of clean-up vessels at 14 major trade ports and 5 regional collection centers nationwide. By acquiring them, Korea has laid the foundation for addressing concerns about "greenwashing*" of recycled marine waste materials and reliably supplying high-quality raw materials accepted in the international market.

   *Greenwashing refers to the act of promoting or packaging any product, service, or company as environment-friendly when it actually provides little to no environmental benefit or may even cause harm.

"These certifications confirm that South Korea's management system for recycling marine waste meets international standards. We will continue to lead the marine circular economy ecosystem by transforming marine waste into high-value-added resources,” said Seo Jeong-ho, Director General of Marine Policy at MOF.