Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) will be implementing a Positive List System for veterinary drugs (including Maximum Residue Levels) starting January 1, 2024.

The veterinary drug Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) list and the list of substances that shall not be detected in foods are stated in Volume 3 of the USDEC Export Guide. If you find any missing veterinary drugs from the list, you should verify whether you should obtain an Import Tolerance or not.

An Import Tolerance (IT) is a MRL for a substance for which there is no MRL set in Korea but is legally allowed to be used in or on food in exporting countries. An import tolerance is set when results of safety assessment on the food for which the substance was used indicate that there is no concern for risk to human health.

Please note the following relating to the Positive List and MRLs:

• In the absence of Korean MRLs or Import Tolerances, the default limit of 0.01mg/kg shall be applied to milk.
• For growth promoters (ingredients used for accelerating growth, increasing weight, etc.) and steroid-type anti-inflammatory drugs, a "non-detection" limit shall be applied if there is no established MRL or an Import Tolerance.

MFDS has informed that entities can apply for Import Tolerances at any time, and details can be found in the Manual on Import Tolerances Application. If you have any questions, please contact Eddy Fetzer at efetzer@usdec.org.