CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for the fundamental conceptual framework on environmental conservation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Seoul Government"), the responsibilities of the Seoul Government, each autonomous Gu, each business entity, and each citizen, and matters that constitute fundamentals of policies on environmental conservation to implement the Seoul Government's environmental policies comprehensively and methodically so as to develop and preserve a comfortable living environment and natural environment.

Article 2 (Fundamental Conceptual Framework) (1) The Seoul Government shall implement policies on environmental conservation so as to ensure that the environment necessary for citizens to enjoy a healthy and comfortable lifestyle can be developed and handed down to future generations.
(2) The Seoul Government shall promote environmental conservation so as to make the sustainable growth of Seoul possible and develop it as an ecologically desirable city in which people and nature can coexist in harmony.
(3) The Seoul Government shall ensure that its policies on the conservation of the global environment are reflected in practices in every aspect of business activities and citizens' daily life.
(4) The fundamental conceptual framework under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be reflected to the maximum extent possible in all policies of the Seoul Government.

Article 3 (Basic Principles) The Seoul Government shall implement policies on environmental conservation based on the following basic principles: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
1. The principle of integrated environmental management;
2. The principle of prior consideration for the conservation and management of the living environment, natural environment, and global environment;
3. The principle of cooperation with the central government and other domestic and foreign local governments;
4. The principle of the prevention of environmental pollution and of the burden of expenses to be imposed on persons causing pollution;
5. The principle of disclosure of environmental information and citizens' participation;
6. The principle of the saving of resources and energy and the cycling of resources.

Article 4 (Definitions) Terms used in this Ordinance shall be defined as follows: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003; Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
1. The term "environment" means the natural environment and the living environment;
2. The term "natural environment" means the state of nature (including the ecosystem and natural landscape) including all living things and inanimate things underneath, on, and above the ground;
3. The term "living environment" means the habitat for daily life of human beings, such as air, water, wastes, noise, vibration, bad odor, and sunlight;
4. The term "environmental pollution" means a state in which air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, marine pollution, radioactive contamination, noise, vibration, bad oder, and other pollution harm human beings' health or environment;
5. The term "environmental conservation" means all activities for protecting the environment from environmental pollution, improving contaminated environment, and maintain and develop the comfortable state of environment;
6. The term "conservation of the global environment" means all activities of environmental conservation for taking countermeasures against phenomena adversely affecting the whole or a substantially large part of the Earth, such as global warming, the destruction of the ozone layer, marine pollution, the decline in biological diversity, and for contributing to the welfare of the human race and to citizens' comfortable life;
7. The term "environment-friendly product" means a product that can contribute to the saving of resources more than any other product or service for an identical purpose of use and that can reduce environmental pollution.

Article 5 (Seoul Government's Responsibilities) (1) The Seoul Government shall be responsible for establishing and implementing comprehensive policies on the following matters for the environmental conservation and creation of a new urban environment: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003; Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
1. Matters regarding the prevention of environmental pollution, such as air, water, and soil;
2. Matters regarding the conservation of the natural environment;
3. Matters regarding the conservation of a natural ecosystem appropriate for local conditions, including the protection of wild flora and fauna and the securing of biodiversity;
4. Matters regarding the cyclical use of resources, the efficient use of energy, increasing the production and purchase of environment-friendly products, and the disposal and reduction of wastes;
5. Matters regarding the appropriate control of hazardous chemicals;
6. Matters regarding the conservation of the global environment, including the prevention of global warming, the protection of the ozone layer, and the prevention of acid rain;
7. Matters regarding the encouragement of citizens' participation and cooperation in environmental conservation;
8. Matters regarding the coexistence of people and nature, the conservation of good landscapes, and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage;
9. Matters regarding the training and education of human resources specializing in the environment;
10. Matters regarding the establishment and implementation of the Seoul Agenda 21;
11. Other matters regarding the prevention of environmental pollution.
(2) The Seoul Government shall realize the importance of each autonomous Gu's role in environmental conservation and shall endeavor to assist each autonomous Gu in implementing policies on environmental conservation.

Article 5-2 (Reporting) (1) The Seoul Government shall submit to the Seoul Metropolitan Council a report on major policies on environmental conservation each year.
(2) A report under paragraph (1) shall contain the following matters:
1. Matters regarding environmental pollution and environmental damage;
2. Results of the implementation of policies on environmental conservation;
3. Other important matters regarding environmental conservation.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003]

Article 6 (Responsibilities of each Autonomous Gu) Each autonomous Gu shall be responsible for establishing policies appropriate for natural and social conditions in regard to the prevention of environmental pollution, the conservation of the natural environment, the control of hazardous chemicals, and the establishment and implementation of its local agenda 21 for the environmental conservation of its district in accordance with the Seoul Government's policies on environment and implementing such policies in good faith. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>

Article 7 (Responsibility of each Business Entity) (1) Each business entity shall be responsible for endeavoring to properly dispose of various environmental pollutants generated in connection with its business activities and conserve the natural environment and cooperating with the Seoul Government and the competent autonomous Gu in implementing their policies.
(2) Each business entity shall endeavor to save and recycle resources and reduce the generation of pollutants by transforming all processes of acquiring raw materials and producing, processing, selling, and disposing of products to environment-friendly processes, and cooperate in meeting the environmental standards of the Seoul Government. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
(3) Each business entity shall continuously conduct research activities to reduce environmental pollution caused by using and disposing of products or other goods in connection with its business activities and shall endeavor to provide information necessary therefor.
(4) Each business entity shall fully cooperate with citizens and organizations in their activities of environmental conservation, including research and promotional programs, and shall endeavor to provide them with financial or other support so that activities of environmental conservation can be proliferated to local communities.

Article 8 (Citizens' Rights) (1) Every citizen has a right to live in a healthy and comfortable environment.
(2) Every citizen has a right to participate in the processes of establishing and implementing the Seoul Government's environmental policies and a right to access the environmental information possessed by the Seoul Government.

Article 9 (Responsibilities of Citizens) (1) Citizens shall endeavor to establish an environment-friendly lifestyle by saving energy and resources and reducing wastes in their daily life.
(2) Citizens shall take active countermeasures when they discover any activity causing environmental pollution by correcting such activity at the scene or reporting it to competent authorities.
(3) Citizens shall fully cooperate with the Seoul Government and each autonomous Gu in implementing their policies on environmental conservation.
(4) Citizens shall endeavor to develop a comfortable urban environment by conducting voluntary activities for the preservation and improvement of the environment around their living space.

Article 10 (Roles of Schools, Mass Media, etc.) (1) Schools shall continuously conduct environmental education and take other measures necessary for helping growing youth establish and practice healthy environmental values in their daily life.
(2) Mass media shall endeavor to convert citizens' sense of environmental conservation and develop an atmosphere for practicing the sense.
(3) Non-governmental environmental organizations and other civic organizations shall endeavor to conduct activities for environmental conservation, including promotional activities for enhancing citizens' commitment to practicing environmental conservation and monitoring environmental pollution.

CHAPTER II ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PLAN, ETC. Article 11 (Environmental Conservation Plan) (1) The Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor") shall establish an environmental conservation plan of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as "environmental conservation plan") every ten years for the comprehensive and methodical implementation of policies on environmental conservation. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
(2) The environmental conservation plan shall include the following matters: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
1. Changes and prospects of environmental conditions;
2. Goals of environmental conservation and the direction of policies;
3. Project plans for each area by phase for achieving the goals of environmental conservation;
4. The calculation of costs and expenses incurred in the implementation of projects and methods for financing such projects;
5. Other important matters regarding environmental conservation.
(3) Whenever the Mayor intends to establish an environmental conservation plan and revise any essential part of such plan, he/she shall endeavor to reflect citizens' opinions therein. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
(4) Whenever the Mayor intends to establish an environmental conservation plan, he/she shall collect opinions from the Citizens' Green Seoul Committee under Article 26 (2) and the head of each autonomous Gu, etc. before finalizing the plan. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003; Ordinance No. 4480, Mar. 8, 2007>
(5) Whenever the Mayor intends to establish or amend a major plan, he/she shall consider environment first of all to prevent the plan from contravening the environmental conservation plan. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>

Article 12 (Conservation of Natural Environment) (1) The Seoul Government and citizens shall be aware that the conservation of the natural environment and ecosystem is the basis of the survival and livelihood of people and shall endeavor to maintain and preserve the order and balance of nature.
(2) and (3) Deleted. <by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
(4) Necessary matters regarding the conservation of the natural environment shall be prescribed separately by municipal ordinance. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>

Article 13 (Conservation of Global Environment, International Cooperation, etc.) (1) The Seoul Government shall endeavor to prevent global warming, protect the ozone layer, prevent acid rain, and conserve the global environment.
(2) The Seoul Government shall endeavor to exchange information and technology about the conservation of the global environment and cooperate internationally with foreign local governments, non-governmental organizations, and relevant governmental agencies. <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>

CHAPTER III POLICIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Article 14 (Establishment of Seoul Government's Environmental Standards) (1) In order to protect citizens' health and develop a comfortable environment pursuant to Article 12 (3) of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy, the Mayor shall establish stricter environmental standards for the Seoul Government, appropriate for environmental conditions of Seoul Metropolitan City, than the environmental standards under the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy and shall endeavor to maintain such standards. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6016, Oct. 8, 2015>
(2) The Seoul Government's environmental standards under paragraph (1) shall be as specified in attached Table 1. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4524, May 29, 2007>

Article 15 (Establishment of Seoul Government's Standards for Permissible Emissions) (1) If the Mayor finds that there is a problem in maintaining the Seoul Government's environmental standards under Article 14, he/she may establish stricter standards for permissible emissions than relevant standards under Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment.
(2) The Seoul Government's standards for permissible emissions under paragraph (1) shall be as specified in attached Table 2. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4524, May 29, 2007>
(3) Deleted. <by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>

Article 16 (Establishment of Standards for Maintenance of Indoor Air Quality) (1) The Mayor may establish stricter standards for the maintenance of indoor air quality than the standards under Article 5 (3) of the Indoor Air Quality Control in Publicly Used Facilities, etc. Act.
(2) The standards for the maintenance of indoor air quality under paragraph (1) shall be as specified in attached Table 3.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008]

Article 16-2 (Management of Indoor Air Quality by Public Transportation Vehicles) (1) The Mayor may recommend transportation service providers operating public transportation vehicles to operate public transportation vehicles in accordance with the management guidelines for manufacturing and operating etc., public transportation vehicles under Article 9-2 (1) of the Indoor Air Quality Control in Public-Use Facilities, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "management guidelines").
(2) The Mayor may provide manufacturers or transportation service providers of public transportation vehicles with technical and financial support necessary for maintaining and managing the indoor air quality of public transportation vehicles in accordance with the management guidelines.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 6174, Mar. 24, 2016]

Article 17 (Environmental Impact Assessment) (1) If a project that a business entity intends to implement is likely to impact on the environment, the Mayor may conduct an environmental impact assessment. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003; Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
(2) The projects subject to environmental impact assessment under paragraph (1), the procedures for environmental impact assessment, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed separately by municipal ordinance. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003; Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>

Article 18 (Installation, Management, etc. of Environmental Facilities) The Seoul Government shall take measures necessary for securing sites for public environmental facilities, such as facilities for recycling wastes and water and facilities for preventing air pollution, and measures necessary for installing, maintaining, and managing such facilities. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4329, Nov. 10, 2005; Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>

Article 19 (Promotion of Cyclical Use of Resources) (1) The Seoul Government shall take measures necessary for promoting the cyclical use of resources, the efficient use of energy, and the reduction and recycling of wastes in citizens' daily lives and business activities in order to prevent environmental pollution. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
(2) The Seoul Government shall take measures under paragraph (1) in installing, maintaining, and managing public facilities and carrying out other projects.
(3) Matters necessary for the promotion of the cyclical use of resources, etc. shall be prescribed separately by municipal ordinance.

Article 20 (Establishment of Environmental Conservation Fund) (1) The Seoul Government may establish the environmental conservation fund in order to secure its own financial resources for environmental conservation and improvement. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
(2) Necessary matters regarding the establishment and management of the environmental conservation fund shall be prescribed separately by municipal ordinance. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>

Article 21 (Subsidization of Activities for Environmental Conservation, etc.) (1) The Seoul Government shall take measures for financing as required for the implementation of policies on environmental conservation and improvement. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
(2) The Seoul Government may partially subsidize each autonomous Gu, within the budget, for its costs and expenses incurred in projects for environmental conservation. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
(3) In order to encourage citizens' voluntary activities for environmental conservation, the Seoul Government may provide citizens, business entities, non-governmental environmental organizations, and research institutes, with information, technology, and financial support as necessary for their installation and operation of facilities or their surveys and researches and may also reward persons who report environmental pollution within the budget. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4524, May 29, 2007; Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>

Article 22 (Regulative Measures) The Seoul Government may take necessary regulative measures against activities causing environmental pollution and activities likely to affect the appropriate conservation of the natural environment. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>

Article 23 (Settlement of Disputes and Remedies for Damage) The Seoul Government shall establish the Seoul Government Committee for the Conciliation of Environmental Disputes and take other necessary measures to promptly and properly settle disputes arising from environmental pollution and properly remedy damage caused by environmental pollution. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>

Article 24 (Cooperation with Central Government and other Local Governments, etc.) (1) Where multi-regional operations are required in implementing a policy on environmental conservation, the Seoul Government shall endeavor to implement the policy jointly with the central government and other local governments. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
(2) The Seoul Government shall endeavor to cooperate with governmental agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations by exchanging information and technology therewith. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>

CHAPTER IV DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION AND CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION Article 25 (Disclosure of Information) (1) In order to secure the reliability of policies on environmental conservation and encourage citizens' voluntary participation by satisfying citizens' right to know, the Seoul Government shall disclose information necessary for environmental conservation within the extent of not violating rights of individuals and legal entities.
(2) The Seoul Government shall endeavor to operate environmental information centers and organize an integrated information system so that environmental information can be disclosed efficiently.

Article 26 (Citizens' Participation, etc.) (1) The Seoul Government shall take measures necessary for ensuring that citizens' opinions are reflected in the course of establishing and implementing policies on environmental conservation and that citizens participate in the course.
(2) The Seoul Government shall establish the Citizens' Green Seoul Committee pursuant to paragraph (1). <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
(3) Necessary matters regarding the organization and operation of the Citizens' Green Seoul Committee shall be prescribed separately by municipal ordinance. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
(4) The Mayor may commission citizens with specialized knowledge and experience in environmental conservation as environmental instructors for environmental education and guidance for citizens. <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>

Article 26-2 (Advice on Environmental Conservation) (1) As regards the operation of the environmental policy committee that the Seoul Government shall establish pursuant to Article 58 (2) of the Framework Act on Environmental Policy, the Citizens' Green Seoul Committee under Article 26 (2) shall carry out the affairs of the aforesaid Committee. <Amended by Ordinance No. 6016, Oct. 8, 2015>
(2) The following matters regarding environmental conservation shall be subject to deliberation by the Citizens' Green Seoul Committee under paragraph (1):
1. Matters regarding the establishment and amendment of the environmental conservation plan under Article 11 (1);
2. Matters regarding the establishment and amendment of environmental standards under Article 14;
3. Matters specified by statutes and regulations and other municipal ordinances as relevant to environmental conservation.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 4480, Mar. 8, 2007]

Article 27 (Promotion of Environmental Education, Promotional Activities, etc.) (1) The Seoul Government shall endeavor to produce and distribute materials regarding the environment, promote educational education, and conduct promotional activities with cooperation from autonomous Gus, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant institutions.
(2) Deleted. <by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
(3) Necessary matters regarding environmental education and promotional activities shall be prescribed separately by municipal ordinance. <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>

Article 28 (Conduct of Environmental Survey, Research, etc.) (1) In order to accurately ascertain the actual state of environment, the Seoul Government shall keep systems necessary for monitoring and measurement in good order, periodically conduct surveys on the environmental quality of the area within its jurisdiction, and shall announce the details of such surveys and the results of countermeasures taken.
(2) If necessary for a survey on environmental quality under paragraph (1), relevant experts, citizens, and civic organizations may be invited to participate in the survey.
(3) In order to properly implement policies on environmental conservation, the Seoul Government shall collect information about the prevention of environmental pollution, the conservation of the natural environment, the conservation of the global environment, and environmental conservation, conduct scientific surveys and researches, conduct activities of research and development, and disseminate the results of research and development.

Article 29 (Environmental White Paper) (1) The Mayor shall prepare and publish an environmental white paper each year to contribute to the comprehensive implementation of policies on environmental conservation and inform citizens of the current status of environment, the details of policies on environmental conservation, and the results of implementation of such policies.
(2) The environmental white paper under paragraph (1) shall include the following matters:
1. Matters regarding the current status of the environment;
2. Major policies on environmental conservation and the current status of the implementation of such policies;
3. Other important matters regarding environmental conservation.


Articles 30 through 38 Deleted. <by Ordinance No. 4480, Mar. 8, 2007>

ADDENDUM
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 4150, Nov. 5, 2003>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 4186, Mar. 30, 2004>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 4329, Nov. 10, 2005>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measure concerning Change of Names)
The Tancheon Sewage Treatment Plant and the Seonam Sewage Treatment Plant, the operation of which has been entrusted as at the time this Ordinance enters into force, shall be deemed the Tancheon Water Recycling Plant and the Seonam Water Recycling Plant under the provisions of this Ordinance.
Article 3 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 4480, Mar. 8, 2007>
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
(2) Omitted.
ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 4524, May 29, 2007>
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
(2) (Repeal of other Ordinances) The Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Environmental Standards and the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Standards for Permissible Emissions of Air Pollutants are hereby repealed.
ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 4633, May 29, 2008>
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
(2) (Repeal of other Ordinances) The Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Standards for the Maintenance of Air Quality in Publicly Used Facilities is hereby repealed.
(3) (Applicability to Standards for Maintenance of Air Quality) As to the publicly used facilities already installed before December 29, 2005 (excluding child-facilities in a legal entity, child-care facilities in a workplace, and private child-care facilities), this Ordinance shall apply on and after December 29, 2008: Provided, That the foregoing shall not apply to formaldehyde.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 6016, Oct. 8, 2015>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 6174, Mar. 24, 2016>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.