A Legal and Policy Study on the Safety of Submersible Research and Developmen

Submersibles, especially manned submersibles, operate in highly hazardous and complex underwater environments, necessitating safety assurance from the initial stages of their research and development. This study aims to identify the applicable legal framework for submersible R&D, derive key issues, and propose policy improvements. To achieve this, we reviewed the content and scope of the Act on the Establishment of Safe Laboratory Environments, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Ship Safety Act. We also conducted a comparative analysis of domestic (Korean) and German cases to formulate legal and policy improvement measures for submersible R&D safety. We specifically examined the boundaries of application between laboratory safety and industrial safety legislation, and analyzed the applicability and technical requirements of the Ship Safety Act and the Standards for Submersibles. This analysis confirmed the need for an integrated safety management system that spans from laboratory-level research to open-sea experimental stages. Furthermore, we present legal and policy improvements concerning high-risk R&D, propose regulatory enhancements for technical standards related to submersible safety, and suggest ways to improve the safety system for submersible operating areas.