South Korea does not have a standalone regulatory category for plant biostimulants (unlike the EU Fertilising Products Regulation). Instead, plant biostimulants are regulated under the Fertilizer Control Act (비료관리법) and its Enforcement Decree, when they are classified as fertilizers for agricultural use.

Fertilizer Control Act :

The Fertilizer Control Act governs the production, import, sale, and quality of fertilizers to protect agricultural productivity and the environment. Plant biostimulants fall within its scope when they are used to improve soil or plant nutrition and are designated as fertilizers by Ministerial Decree.

The Act establishes:

- Legal standards for fertilizers (ingredients, harmful substances, shelf life)

- Distinctions between ordinary fertilizers and by-product fertilizers (e.g. soil microbial products, soil activators)

- Mandatory registration and reporting for manufacturers and importers

- Labeling and quality control requirements

- Inspections, recalls, and penalties for non-compliance

Certain products are exempt where they are not intended for agricultural use (e.g. manufacturing or animal feed).

The Enforcement Decree provides the detailed administrative rules implementing the Act. It specifies:

- Registration procedures, quality testing, and heavy-metal risk assessments

Exemptions for small-scale by-product fertilizer production (e.g. under 1.5 tons/day)

- Criteria for designation of “exemplary fertilizers,” which may include innovative biostimulants, subject to expert evaluation

- Public notification, dissemination support, and grounds for revocation of exemplary status

Exemptions clarify that fertilizers produced and sold or distributed in small quantities (less than 1.5 tons per day) by agricultural businesses using by-products are exempt from the Act, which may include certain biostimulant-type products.

Exemplary Fertilizer Designation establishes that newly developed or improved fertilizers, which can include biostimulants, may be designated as “exemplary fertilizers” if they contribute to agricultural productivity, environmental protection, or competitiveness. Expert Evaluation requires that exemplary fertilizers undergo examination by experts before designation, ensuring scientific validity for products such as biostimulants.

Public Notification mandates that the standards for recognizing exemplary fertilizers and their effective dates be publicly notified, providing transparency for biostimulant producers.

Dissemination Support allows the government to facilitate the use and dissemination of exemplary fertilizers (including biostimulants) through local governments and agricultural cooperatives, and to provide necessary funds.

Revocation Criteria detail that exemplary fertilizer status can be revoked if the product fails to maintain quality, is not produced or sold for over a year, or is found to contain hazardous substances—criteria relevant to biostimulant compliance.

Small-Scale By-Product Fertilizer Exemption reiterates that small-scale production of by-product fertilizers, including those potentially functioning as biostimulants, is not subject to full registration requirements.

Together, the Act establishes the legal obligations and scope, while the Enforcement Decree defines the practical implementation, exemptions, and technical requirements applicable to biostimulants classified as fertilizers in South Korea.

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