Basic Act on Resource Circulation ( Act No. 17326).

This Act establishes a comprehensive framework for transitioning to a circular economy, emphasizing collaboration between government, businesses, and citizens to reduce waste and promote sustainable resource use. The purpose of the Act is to regulate the basic matters necessary to conserve the environment and create a sustainable resource recycling society by efficiently utilizing resources, minimizing the generation of waste, promoting the recycling and proper disposal of generated waste, and reducing the consumption of natural resources and energy.
The Act is divided into 6 Chapters: General provisions; Establishment of basic resource circulation plan, etc.; Policy to promote resource circulation, etc.; Creation and support of resource circulation infrastructure, etc. Miscellaneous Provisions; Penalties.
In the first Chapter, the Act states that all members of society, including the state, local governments, businesses, and citizens, shall promote the transition to a resource recycling society. Article 3 outlines the basic principles, including: 1. The generation of waste must be minimized to the greatest extent possible through efficient use of resources; 2. When waste generation is expected, the ease of recycling and disposal of waste and its harmfulness must be considered; 3. Generated waste must be recycled or disposed of to the extent technically and economically feasible. Chapter Two details the formulation of resource circulation basic plans, which are long-term (10-year) strategies established by the Ministry of Environment (MOE). Municipalities and provinces shall create 5-year plans approved by the MOE. Chapter Three covers measures to promote resource circulation, such as setting national and regional recycling targets, manageing and supporting resource circulation performance of cities and provinces, managing business performance, encouraging the use of recycled resources, evaluating hazards and recyclability of products, certificating quality labels for circulating resources and establishing business organizations. In order to enhance the quality and technological competitiveness of circular resources, the Minister of Environment may, upon application by a business operator, certify a quality label that indicates information on circular resources after conducting a quality and process review of circular resources (art.20). The Minister of Environment may conduct assessments on the hazardousness and recyclability of the products suspected to contain substances harmful to human health or the environment, or the products suspected to be difficult to recycle when they become waste. If a product is deemed hazardous or difficult to recycle, the Minister of Environment may recommend that the producer, importer, or seller make improvment within a specified timeframe (art.19). Business entities may establish business organizations to facilitate compliance and innovation (art.18). Chapter Four focuses on building infrastructure, including financial support, establishing special accounts for resource circulation, creating information systems, and fostering international cooperation. Local governments may establish funds for recycling projects. Centralized databases shall be set up for tracking recycling performance and sharing best practices.