Humidifier sanitiser

Korean consumers increasingly used humidifiers to achieve the right level of humidity within their homes during the dry Winter season. Introduced in 1996, HS products were designed to eliminate germs and bacteria within humidifiers.

The first HS product was invented and sold by a Korean company called Yukong in 1994. Yukong transferred its HS business to SK Chemicals, which continued to manufacture the HS product and the main chemical ingredients for HS products sold by other manufacturers.

The Korean company Oxy Co. Ltd released its own HS product in 1996. On March 31, 2001, Reckitt acquired Oxy.

Over 20 companies, including Oxy Reckitt, SK Chemicals, Lotte Mart, Homeplus, Aekyung, Emart, GS and LG were involved in either supplying raw materials for, manufacturing, marketing or selling HS products in Korea.

When Reckitt acquired Oxy, there were no red flags which suggested the product was anything other than 100% safe. It was compliant with applicable laws at the time, and had obtained all the necessary approvals for placing it on the market.

In 2011, the Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) suggested a link between HS products and reported lung injuries. A chemical used within HS called PHMG-P was suspected of causing lung damage.

Oxy Reckitt immediately and voluntarily withdrew all Oxy HS products from the market. This was nearly three months before a Korean government-ordered recall of all HS products in November 2011. Oxy Reckitt acted quickly, putting the interests of consumers first.

Oxy Reckitt began working on the HS issue after withdrawing the Oxy HS product from the market. From 2012, we pursued a strategy of settling individual cases, which allowed us to make good progress. We also announced the creation of a Humanitarian Fund in 2013 to help those who believed they had been impacted by HS products. At the time, we believed that the courts and their mediation were the best forum for providing remedy, but we now recognize that this process was too slow.

In May 2016, Oxy Reckitt formally accepted responsibility for the role Oxy HS has played in the HS issue, and apologised for the very regrettable circumstances and the time it took Oxy Reckitt to understand the full picture.

On July 31, 2016, Oxy Reckitt announced its Compensation Plan for the Oxy HS product users categorised by the Korean government in its first two rounds of investigation as suffering, or having suffered, lung damage which was “almost certainly” (Category 1) or “highly possibly” (Category 2) a result of their use of Oxy Reckitt’s HS product. Oxy Reckitt has since provided further compensation plans for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 3 and 4, whose categorisation was announced by the Korean government on or before 26 July 2019.

Since May 2016, Oxy Reckitt has accepted responsibility for the role Oxy HS played in the HS issue. The Representative Director of Oxy Reckitt has met with most of the Oxy HS product users categorised by the Korean government in Rounds 1 through 4 (as announced on or before 26 July 2019) as suffering, or having suffered, lung damage which was “almost certainly” (Category 1) or “highly possibly” (Category 2) a result of their use of Oxy Reckitt’s HS product, as well as their families, to apologise in person and gather their valuable views for consideration, before announcing the compensation plan.

The Global CEO of Reckitt also met with representatives of the Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2 and a special committee from the National Assembly of Korea in the UK to offer his deepest apology, which was acknowledged by the victims and special committee who represented the Korean public.

Since November 2012, a Korean government investigation committee has reviewed all reported cases of death or lung injury from exposure to HS products and categorised them on the basis of evidence linking their lung condition with HS product use. A total of 186 Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims (eight of whom received settlements from another manufacturer) were identified in the government’s first two rounds of categorisation (out of a total of 530 applicants). Category 1 and 2 victims are those categorised by the Korean government as suffering, or having suffered, lung damage which was “almost certainly” (Category 1) or “highly possibly” (Category 2) a result of their use of HS products.

As of July 2018, 669 out of 752 applicants (excluding 83 drop-out cases) Round 3 applicants had been classified. Of these, 84 (12%) have been recognised as Category 1 or 2 HS victims, and 78 (11%) indicated that they used the Oxy HS product, either on its own or in conjunction with another HS product. As of 26 July 2019, a total of 4,417 (82% of the 5,367 applicants as of 26 July 2019) Round 4 cases have been reviewed and 173 (3.9%) have been recognised as Category 1 or 2 HS victims, and 155 (3.5%) of them indicated that they used Oxy HS product, either on its own or in conjunction with another HS product. Round 4 remains open for applications.

Through its Compensation Plans, the first of which was announced on 31 July 2016, Oxy Reckitt has provided Oxy HS Category 1 and 2 victims from Rounds 1 through 4 announced on or before 26 July 2019 with a remedy that reiterates its apology in the form that best respects the sensitivities of individual victims and their families, provides fair compensation without delay, imposes the minimum burden on claimants, and provides access to independent advice and review. Oxy Reckitt was the first company involved in the HS issue to publish a Compensation Plan in a transparent way.

99.5% of Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2 have registered to participate in the Compensation Plan, and 100% of those registered have been compensated either by Oxy Reckitt or by other HS manufacturers.

96% of Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 3 have registered to participate in the Compensation Plan, and 98.6% of those registered have been compensated either by Oxy Reckitt or by other HS manufacturers.

Oxy Reckitt is currently processing the claims of those Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 4, announced on or before 26 July 2019. 100% of Round 4, Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims (announced on or before 26 July 2019) have registered to participate in the Compensation Plan, and 94.8% of those registered have been compensated either by Oxy Reckitt or by other HS manufacturers.

Oxy Reckitt's Compensation Plans are based on various consultations with Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 through 4 and reflect the views of those victims and their families. They are based on the principles of respect, transparency, fairness and speed. They include a lump sum payment in respect of mental distress (including child potential and family consolation, to reflect the impact on families and the gravity of the situation), past expenses, lost income, certain legal expenses and interest. An additional amount is offered where there is more than one victim in a family. For victims living with the ongoing effects of the Oxy HS product, there is a proposed provision for future medical and care needs.

To date, Oxy Reckitt has spent approximately KRW 282 billion in compensation for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 through 4. Separately, Oxy Reckitt paid KRW 67.4 billion in a lump sum to contribute to the government-led Special Relief Fund on 8 September 2017 under the HS Damage Relief Act. In addition, in 2014 Oxy Reckitt donated KRW 5 billion to a Humanitarian Fund to contribute to a broader resolution for those who are in imminent and desperate need of help, due to the impact of HS.

Oxy Reckitt remains committed to finding an industry-wide and sustainable solution with other stakeholders involved in the HS issue, including the government, other manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.

Recognising the seriousness of the HS issue, and the fact that the process for resolving it was likely to take time, in Spring 2014, Oxy Reckitt donated KRW 5 billion to a Humanitarian Fund to provide assistance to those who have suffered as a result of the HS issue. On 8 September 2017, Oxy Reckitt also contributed KRW 67.4 billion to the government-led Special Relief Fund under the HS Damage Relief Act.

Oxy Reckitt intends for the humanitarian fund to be distributed to those affected by the HS issue, irrespective of whether they used Oxy Reckitt’s HS product, to help them with immediate expenses (such as medical costs, grievance counselling and funeral costs). Oxy Reckitt believes that it is important for affected families to get immediate help, even before all the claims are resolved.

Consumer safety remains Oxy Reckitt’s number one priority and we have taken steps to review and improve our safety and consumer contact escalation processes to prevent something like this from happening again.

Reckitt is taking a number of other actions, including:

• Creation of a Board committee on product safety, compliance & ethics, which will provide more targeted governance in relation to product safety
  
  
• Creation a Compliance, Quality and Safety Management committee
  
  
• Ongoing work on safety and quality management systems
  
  
• Continued roll-out across the world of evidence, safety and medical oversight activities
  
  
• Creation of a new, Group-wide role of Chief Safety, Quality and Compliance Officer, reporting directly to the CEO

Based on consultations with the victims in meetings, in groups and on individual occasions at the office of Oxy Reckitt or through home visits, where it listened to the voices and sought to understand the pain and suffering of the victims, Oxy Reckitt has put forward Compensation Plans that respect the individual needs of Oxy HS Category 1 and 2 victims from Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 categorised for HS-induced lung damage on or before 26 July 2019.

Oxy Reckitt offers to compensate in respect of mental distress (including child potential and family consolation), past expenses, lost income, certain legal expenses and interest. In cases of death or severe injury of children, the lump sum will be KRW 1 billion. Oxy Reckitt will also offer an additional amount where there is more than one victim in a family.

OXY RB

Announced Compensation Plans established based on the four Core Principles of Respect, Fairness, Transparency, and Speed and reflecting the views of victims and families and formed a Care Manager Team to support victims through the compensation process. The first Compensation Plan was announced on 31 July 2016.

Lotte Mart

Offered an apology and pledged to form an organization responsible for compensation, review claims and criteria, and raise KRW 10 billion for compensation. Announced that it would begin its discussion on compensation with the victims whose damage is confirmed to be caused by LotteHS upon the completion of the prosecutors’ investigation

Homeplus

Vowed to establish an independent organization participated by external experts from all walks of life for objective decision-making and to collaborate with government agencies to provide proper compensation

¹Categorisation of HS damage: HS users are classified into 4 categories based on comprehensive assessment on environmental exposure, tissue pathology, image medical science, and clinical medicine, etc,; Cat 1: Almost certain / Cat 2: High Possibility / Cat 3: Low Possibility / Cat 4 : Almost No Possibility / Unknown : Determination Not Possible e.g. due to insufficient evidence *Direct translation from Korean

²On July 2018, 4,745 Rd. 4 cases and 752 Rd. 3 cases have been reported, of which 157 cases have been classified as Rd.4 Category 1 and 2. On 5 April 2019, 6 (including one reassessment case) have been recognised as HS victims. Additionally, on 26 July 2019, 10 (including two reassessment cases) have been classified as Rd. 4 Category 1 and 2.
Source: MOE

Oxy Reckitt met with as many Victims and their Families as possible during the consultation processes for its Compensation Plans, as well as other stakeholders, such as Government and representatives of certain victim groups. This includes: approximately 80% of the 183 Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims or their families from Rounds 1 and 2 (excluding 3 whose categorisation was reassessed in later rounds); approximately 65% of the 52 Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims or their families from Round 3 (excluding 4 whose categorisation was reassessed in later rounds); approximately 88% of the 143 Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims or their families from Round 4 whose categorisation was announced on or before 12 July 2018; and 7 reassessed Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims or their families from Rounds 1 through 3.

For additional Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 4 whose categorisation was announced on 5 April 2019 and 26 July 2019, Oxy RB individually contacted them for their valuable views for consideration prior to extending the compensation plan.

Oxy Reckitt continued its efforts to reach many of the remaining Victims and their Families so they were aware of the Compensation Plans. The Oxy Reckitt Compensation Plans for Category 1 and 2 victims from Rounds 1 to 4 whose categorisation was announced on or before 5 April 2019 have now closed for registration (although those whose categorisation was announced on 26 July 2019 can still register). 4 remaining victims who are eligible for the Oxy Reckitt Compensation Plans have not registered (1 from Rounds 1 and 2, and 3 from Round 3.)

Details of the Compensation Plans and the Application for Compensation forms can be found on the Oxy RB Web site (https://www.reckitt.com/kr/) and the forms can be submitted via mail (to the postal address provided on https://www.reckitt.com/kr/) or email (care@oxy.co.kr).

Upon registering, each victim is contacted by the Care Manager team to help with the Compensation Process including necessary documentation and explaining the Compensation Offers according to the situation and needs of each victim.

Since May 2016, Oxy Reckitt has accepted responsibility for the role Oxy HS has played in the HS issue. We recognise we were too late in providing this apology. Delays that increase the victims’ and family distress shouldn’t happen again.

Oxy Reckitt is therefore committed to establishing a solution for all outstanding victims of lung damage from the Oxy HS product which is sustainable and reflects the multiple causes of the tragedy. It also recognises the importance of providing for the long-term needs of victims.

Both the United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) and National Assembly (NA) reports highlighted the multi-party nature of the HS issue.

They recognised that many companies, including chemical manufacturers, product manufacturers and government regulators, played a role in this tragedy: all must consider their individual responsibility.

While Oxy Reckitt acknowledges that it sold the majority of HS products containing PHMG, it did not sell them all. Lessons must be learnt by all parties to ensure this cannot happen again.

The compensation to those Category 1 and 2 victims who are recognised by the government should be based on a fair allocation of responsibility for contributions between responsible parties along the entire supply chain.

Oxy Reckitt does not consider it is fair for victims to have to navigate multiple different schemes and companies. Oxy Reckitt believes it is vital that all responsible parties work to contribute to a single and commonly agreed compensation plan.

The HS incident is a multi-party, multi-causal issue that should not have happened. In order to find a long-term and fair solution from the perspective of the victims, Oxy Reckitt would like to work with other HS manufacturers, with the support of the Korean government and experts, to establish a joint broader compensation system led by the Korean government and with industry participation.

As of November 2019, Oxy Reckitt has provided compensation to the majority of Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims whose categorisation had been announced before that date, including those who used other HS products in addition to those produced by Oxy Reckitt. To date, Oxy Reckitt has spent approximately KRW 282.1 billion in compensation for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 through 4, KRW 67.4 billion in our share of contribution to the Special Relief Fund, and KRW 5 billion in a donation to a Humanitarian Fund. Oxy Reckitt remains committed to engaging multiple stakeholders, including the Korean government and other HS manufacturers and ingredient suppliers, to find a sustainable, industry-wide solution.

The HS Damage Relief Act was passed by the National Assembly in January 2017. Amended on 14 August 2018, the Act came into force on 15 February 2019. The Act requires the Government to establish and operate a Special Relief Fund for the benefit of:

Category 1 and 2 HS victims who cannot identify the HS manufacturer responsible for their HS injuries or whose HS manufacturer is in financial difficulty and unable to pay compensation

Category 3 and 4 HS users recognised by the Minister of Environment as needing damage relief payment, a decision made upon the review carried out by the HS Special Relief Fund Management Committee

Oxy RB paid KRW 67.4 billion in lump sum, to contribute to the Special Relief Fund on 8 September 2017 under the HS Damage Relief Act.
The Fund will be financed by contributions of KRW 100 billion from HS manufacturers and KRW 25 billion from ingredient suppliers. The amended Act stipulates that the government will make additional contributions to the Fund, but no such contributions have been made as yet.

The Act also creates a statutory responsibility for HS manufacturers to provide damage compensation to HS victims for their lung injuries. It also provides a presumption of causation, where a substantial probability exists that a HS victim’s death or lung injuries have been caused by HS products containing harmful chemical substances verified to be toxic by the MOE, the MOHW or any other organisation designated by a Presidential Decree

An extension to the time for bringing claims to the earlier of (i) the fifth year anniversary of the date on which the responsible HS manufacturer is identified or (ii) the 30th year anniversary of the date of lung damage occurrence.

The Act also establishes a HS Damage Relief Committee, to be chaired by the Deputy Minister of Environment, to decide on information requests, recognition of HS Victims, payout of HS Damage Relief Payments, and any review of the Act.

Yukong (now SK Chemicals) developed the first humidifier sanitiser (HS) product and launched advertisement and sales.

Oxy Co Ltd, an affiliate of OCI, released its HS product, “Humidifier Guard”.

Oxy changed the active ingredient in Humidifier Guard to PHMG-P (Polyhexamethyleneguanidine Phosphate).

A number of manufacturers and private label retailers supplied the Korean market with HS products

Reckitt acquired Oxy Co. Ltd

The Korean Centre for Disease Control (KCDC) released its first public announcement on the results of its epidemiology study. It announced that HS products may be the cause of reported lung injuries and recommended against the use or sale of the products. Oxy Reckitt began a voluntary withdrawal of its Humidifier Guard HS product.

The KCDC announced the interim results of their animal inhalation tests finding a causal link between HS products and the reported lung injuries and strongly recommending against their use

The Korean government ordered a recall of all HS products

The KCDC announced that HS products containing PHMG-P and PGH had caused lung fibrosis

The Korean Fair Trade Commission ruled that Oxy Reckitt, Homeplus, and Cefu violated the False Labelling & Advertising Act. Oxy Reckitt’s appeal was later dismissed by the High Court in August 2014 and by the Supreme Court in December 2014.

The KFTC filed a criminal complaint for false advertising/mislabelling against Oxy Reckitt and others with the Prosecutor’s Office.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy delegated the management of everyday chemical products to the Ministry of Environment (MoE).

MoE announced relief plans for HS victims.

Oxy Reckitt’s CEO appeared at a National Assembly hearing to express his sincere regret at the pain and suffering of the victims and at failing to reach out sooner. Oxy Reckitt announced a Humanitarian Fund for HS victims.

Announcement of Round (Rd) 1 results of KCDC’s review of reported lung injuries and deaths from HS products; 361 cases reported, 161 classified as “almost certainly” (Category 1) or “highly possibly” (Category 2) a result of use of HS products.

Oxy Reckitt established the Humanitarian Fund of KRW 5 billion for HS-related patients in cooperation with the MoE and Korean Environmental Preservation Association

Oxy Reckitt took part in court-mediated and direct settlements with many of the Category (Cat) 1 & 2 victims who brought cases to court.

Announcement of the Round 2 investigation results by the MoE; 169 cases reported, 49 of which were classified as Cat 1 or 2 victims. Four victims were reclassified to Cat 1 or 2 from Round 1

HS victims’ groups visited UK to protest at Reckitt Group’s offices.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes made an official country visit to Korea, which included meeting HS victims.

KCDC Round 3 application deadline; 752 additional cases reported.

Oxy Reckitt’s CEO in Korea apologized on behalf of Oxy Reckitt to all victims who suffered lung injury as a result of the Humidifier Guard, as well as to their families. He also accepted responsibility for the role the Oxy Reckitt HS product played in the tragedy and the delay in providing an adequate remedy. He announced that Oxy Reckitt would develop a compensation plan for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2 and that it would consult with them on this.

Oxy Reckitt apologized for the disappointment caused to the victims and their families due to the lack of an appropriate response and communication related to the HS issue.

MoE announced that it planned to:

• resume accepting new applications for categorisation;
• complete Round 3 of its review by the end of 2017, if not earlier; and
• study the health effects of HS products, aside from lung damage.

Homeplus offered an apology and pledged to form an independent organisation for compensation.

Oxy Reckitt’s CEO in Korea apologized on behalf of Oxy Reckitt to all victims who suffered lung injury as a result of the Humidifier Guard, as well as to their families. He also accepted responsibility for the role the Oxy Reckitt HS product played in the tragedy and the delay in providing an adequate remedy. He announced that Oxy Reckitt would develop a compensation plan for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2 and that it would consult with them on this.

Reckitt Group’s CEO apologized for the HS issue at the Group’s Annual General Meeting and met with the father of a victim to apologise personally for the role the Oxy Reckitt product played in the tragedy.

Oxy Reckitt reiterated its apology at a victims’ meeting in Daejeon and commenced consultations with Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2 and their families on the form of a Compensation Plan.

The Prosecutor’s Office referred a criminal case of false labelling to the court for hearing, together with cases against individual managers and former managers at Oxy Reckitt and other HS manufacturers for false labelling, criminal negligence and criminal fraud.

UN Working Group visited Korea to observe the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Oxy Reckitt held its second consultation meeting with Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2 and their families on a Compensation Plan in Seoul.

Oxy Reckitt holds the third and final consultation meeting with Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2 and their families in Seoul.

South Korea’s National Assembly launched the HS Special Investigation Committee, whose remit was to consider the actions of government organisations and relevant businesses in relation to the HS issue.

Oxy Reckitt announced the Compensation Plan for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2.

Oxy Reckitt’s Compensation Plan opens for registration from Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Rounds 1 and 2.

Special Rapporteur of the United Nations published his report on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes covering HS issue.

The Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) announced that 165 out of the 752 Round 3 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 35 applicants were categorized as Category 1 or 2. Of these, 31 indicated that they had used the Oxy Reckitt product either on its own or in conjunction with other HS products.

The National Assembly Special Committee (NASC) conducted formal hearings to review the role of HS manufacturers, raw material suppliers, retailers and government agencies responsible for regulation and supervision of the manufacture of household products.

Reckitt Global CEO Kapoor met with NASC and families of victims at our UK HQ to hear of their pain and officially apologise.

To drive transparency, Oxy Reckitt is the first home products company in Korea to disclose all its product ingredients on its website (www.reckitt.com/kr).

Oxy Reckitt CEO appeared at the criminal court hearing relating to mislabeling on behalf of the company. Oxy Reckitt did not contest the prosecution. He said, “I will never forget the words from a victim that you bury your lost child in your heart”. He explained that Oxy Reckitt has accepted its responsibility for the lung injuries the Humidifier Guard had caused, has provided a compensation scheme, and is working with others, including HS manufacturers and raw material suppliers, to provide practical support for victims.

The National Assembly Environment and Labour Committee (ELC) debated the proposed HS Special Law, which required HS manufacturers and suppliers to contribute KRW 125 billion for special relief for Cat. 3&4 The proposed HS Special Law was then transferred in the form approved by the ELC to the Legal and Judicial Committee of the National Assembly, prior to any vote by the NA as a whole.

86% of Category 1 and 2 victims from Rounds 1 and 2 have registered for Oxy Reckitt’s Compensation Plan (This percentage excludes four cases already compensated by Lotte Mart).

Judgement was given in Korean criminal proceedings. Oxy Reckitt did not contest the Prosecutors’ case that it violated the Fair Labelling & Advertising Act. Oxy Reckitt was found guilty of this offence, as part of a series of criminal judgments involving suppliers and OEM manufacturers, and some of their managers or former managers. Two current employees and two former employees of Oxy Reckitt were found guilty of charges of mislabelling and criminal negligence. Employees of other suppliers received similar verdicts.

The Ministry of Environment and Health Committee (EHC) announced that a further 188 of the 752 Round 3 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 18 applicants were categorised as Category 1 and 2 victims. All of those categorised as Category 1 and 2 were found to have used the Oxy Reckitt product either on its own or in conjunction with other HS products.

The HS Damage Relief Act was passed by the National Assembly. The new law established an HS Damage Relief Committee under the MoE and a special relief account of KRW 125 billion to be operated by KEITI. The detail as to the precise functions and operations of both will be set out in subsidiary legislation. The special relief account will be funded by a contribution of KRW 25 billion from the ingredient manufacturer, and contributions from companies involved in the HS issue, in accordance with the volume of their HS sales and the ratio of product use among those seeking categorisation as victims. [Oxy Reckitt’s contribution is estimated to be about KRW 70 billion.]

Registration for Oxy Reckitt’s Compensation Plan for Category 1 and 2 victims from Rounds 1 and 2 closes. 99% of eligible victims have registered for compensation.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 99 of the 752 Round 3 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 3 applicants were categorised as Category 1 and 2 victims, two of which were found to have used the Oxy Reckitt product either on its own or in conjunction with other HS products.

Oxy Reckitt began consultations in Seoul with Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 3 whose categorisation was announced on or before March 27, 2017 on the form of a Compensation Plan.

Oxy Reckitt held its second consultation meeting in Seoul with Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 3, whose categorisation was announced on or before March 27, 2017 in the form of a Compensation Plan.

Oxy Reckitt launched its Compensation Plan for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 3 whose categorisation was announced on or before March 27, 2017 and opened it for registration.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 205 Round 3 applicants and 1,009 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 18 applicants were categorised as Round 3 Category 1 and 2 victims, and 76 as Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

Oxy Reckitt paid KRW 67.4 billion in lump sum for their contribution to the HS relief fund on September 8, 2017 under the HS Special Law.

Oxy Reckitt extended its Compensation Process to Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 3 whose categorisation has been announced on or before August 10, 2017.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 12 Round 3 applicants and 339 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 2 applicants were categorised as Round 3 Category 1 and 2 victims, and 5 as Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 536 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 8 were categorised as as Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 912 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 19 as Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

Oxy Reckitt hosted a meeting for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 4 to reiterate its apology and consult the victims and their families on a Compensation Plan.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 753 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 15 were categorised as Oxy HS Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

Oxy Reckitt continued offering compensation through its Compensation Plan for Oxy HS Category 1 and 2 victims in Round 3 (announced on or before Aug 10, 2017) and foetal victims (announced up to Dec 14, 2017) recognized under Oxy Reckitt’s CP rule.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 505 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 27 were categorised as Oxy HS Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

Oxy Reckitt hosted a meeting with Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 4 (announced on or before July 12, 2018) to reiterate its apology and consult the victims and their families on a Compensation Plan.

Oxy Reckitt announced its Compensation Plan for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 4 (announced on or before July 12, 2018).

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 144 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 5 were categorised as Oxy HS Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

The Ministry of Environment announced that a further 360 Round 4 applicants had been assessed. Of these, 9 were categorised as Oxy HS Round 4 Category 1 and 2 victims.

Oxy Reckitt announced the extension of its Compensation Plan for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 4 (to victims announced on or before July 26, 2019).

Oxy announced the extension of its Compensation Plan for Category 1 and 2 Oxy HS victims from Round 4 (to victims announced on or before December 24, 2019).

Marking HS 10th anniversary, Oxy partners with Make-a-Wish Foundation Korea to grant wishes of children with critical lung disease.

31 August 2021 marked 10 years since the Korean government’s announcement of correlation between HS exposure and lung injuries. Reckitt Group and Reckitt Korea once again apologize deeply to all Oxy HS victims, their families and members of Korean society.

The regret we feel over the incident remains in our collective memory and has shaped our company. Our priority has been doing right by Oxy HS victims and we have been consulting with and providing compensation to Oxy HS lung injury victims and their families.

We understand that the pain of the victims and their families does not go away, even after 10 years have passed. We are humbled by this tragedy, and we continue to participate in an industry-wide dialogue to seek a sustainable and practical resolution to the HS issue. We have internalized the lessons learned from these tragic events and made a number of changes to ensure an incident of this nature is never repeated.

Again, we would like to extend our sincerest apology to the Oxy HS victims and their families.

Oxy paid KRW 70.5 billion in lump sum for their additional contribution to the HS relief fund on May 12, 2023, under the HS Special Law.