Problem overview:

     Policies and measures: Command and control techniques can work well when there are key control points available. The shift to unleaded fuel and control of automotive emissions was implemented without a great deal of problem in most countries of the Region.

Background:

     Reducing air pollution by command and control

     Increasing the scope of policy from transportation to transportation and environment: In Korea, up until 1980, emissions from automobiles have been regulated partially by the Road Transportation Vehicles Act. Then from 1980 onwards, the Environmental Conservation Act (ECA hereafter), which was enacted in 1977, was enforced. It includes clauses that regulates emissions from newly manufactured automobiles and automobiles in operation.

     Later on, policies were strengthened to be equivalent to international standards: In 1984, ambient air quality standards for automobiles were strengthened to the European level. In 1985, Enforcement Regulation for the ECA was enacted so the ambient air quality standards for the emission form automobiles was further strengthened.

     Installment of catalytic converter and mandatory use of unleaded fuel: This regulation imposed the automakers to adopt catalytic converters to all automobiles using gasoline or LPG manufactured after 1987. At the same time, use of unleaded fuel for those automobiles became mandatory.

     Finally, the ban of leaded gasoline: Since 1990, stricter emission standards were applied to all passenger cars operated in Korea. In 1993, Korean government banned the sale of leaded gasoline as noticed in advance. There has been no meaningful resistance or criticism to this somewhat rigid regulation. This regulation was enforced with other fuel quality regulations including standards on fragrant compounds, benzene, oxygen, and phosphate.