The National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management (NICEM), led by Director Professor Moonseong Kang, became the first university-affiliated institution to be designated by the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) as a “Recycling Environmental Suitability Evaluation Institution” this past March. The Recycling Environmental Suitability Evaluation System, introduced in 2016 as a proactive administrative policy, allows the recycling of waste materials not typically eligible for recycling if it is proven through assessment that they pose no harm to human health or the environment. The system supports proper recycling practices by companies and helps establish a resource circulation framework.
Due to the high level of technical review and precise analysis required, the role of research institutions in recycling environmental suitability evaluation is essential. NICEM possessesthe nation's most extensive track record and expertise in soil risk assessment and post-management and is expected to demonstrate strong capabilities in this new role. With this pure foundation, NICEM is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to national goals for carbon neutrality and resource circulation by supporting corporate recycling and establishing sustainable systems. We met with researcher Mina Oh from the Center for Environmental Risk & Resource Circulation (headed by Soyoung Moon) to learn more concerning NICEM.


1. Despite being right next to Building 200 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NICEM still feels unfamiliar to many. What functions does NICEM serve?

 NICEM (National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management) was established in 1992 at Seoul National University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It was founded to 1. enable nationwide shared use of expensive research equipment through efficient management and operation, 2. cultivate the next generation’s ability to use advanced research instruments, and 3. advance research standards and foster industry-academia collaboration in the fields of environment, agriculture, and life sciences.
NICEM’s primary role is providing analytical services and research support in those fields. It is recognized as an internationally accredited testing institution (KOLAS, Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, accreditation number KT-375) in areas such as soil, drinking water, groundwater, and indoor air quality, which has earned it both domestic and international trust 


2. NICEM was the first university institution to be designated as a “Recycling Environmental Suitability Evaluation Institution.” What preparations did NICEM make to receive this designation?

 To become designated as an evaluation institution, requirements include professional personnel, analytical instruments, dedicated space, and other administrative infrastructure. In order to perfectly fit all the requirements mentioned above, NICEM prepared it by having its existing staff complete specialized training, hiring new master's and doctoral-level professionals, and setting up dedicated facilities and instruments to carry out the evaluations—thereby establishing both technical and administrative infrastructure.


3. What specific duties will NICEM perform from here on out as a designated Recycling Environmental Suitability Evaluation Institution?

 While Korea promotes waste recycling as part of building a circular economy, indiscriminate recycling can negatively impact the environment. The evaluation system aims to assess environmental impact in advance and guide appropriate recycling practices.
Evaluation institutions like NICEM receive assessment requests from businesses. They begin by reviewing documentation to determine eligibility. After revisions and supplements, a full environmental impact assessment is conducted in accordance with relevant laws and standards such as the Waste Management Act, Soil Environment Conservation Act, and Groundwater Act. The assessment analyzes pollutant leachability, process safety, and potential effects on human health and ecosystems. Based on the results, the institution determines whether the recycling is appropriate.

Recycling evaluations are categorized into non-media contact type and media contact type based on whether the waste will interact with environmental media like soil or water. Media contact types require additional modeling and field applicability evaluations. Moreover, such recycling cases are subject to post-monitoring to assess potential environmental impacts during and after recycling activities.

NICEM, as the nation’s top soil risk assessment institution, brings rich experience and infrastructure. It provides scientific evaluations of how hazardous substances affect soil, groundwater, and air, and it oversees post-management after the initial assessment. The evaluation process for media-contact recycling overlaps significantly with soil risk assessment, allowing for high synergy, efficiency, and specialization—NICEM’s key strengths.


4. In the context of the growing focus on ESG management and the circular economy, how can NICEM contribute as both an evaluation and educational support institution?

 As a designated evaluation institution, NICEM identifies recyclable waste that is often discarded and helps build and assess sustainable recycling systems, thereby contributing to a circular economy. By analyzing the full lifecycle—from product creation to disposal—NICEM can assess carbon emissions, resource usage, and environmental impact, providing technical support to organizations aiming to meet ESG goals.
NICEM also supports education and talent development. It hosts short-term training and seminars on sustainability and circular economy for undergraduate and graduate students and develops ESG-focused education programs for businesses and the public, thus contributing to society.


5. Being a university institution, does NICEM have any unique advantages compared to other evaluation organizations?

 Being a nonprofit university institution, NICEM is relatively free from commercial interests between clients and evaluators, enhancing the objectivity and credibility of its evaluations. Universities also contribute academically through policy recommendations, institutional improvement proposals, and academic publications. NICEM employs highly skilled researchers with advanced degrees, ensuring accurate evaluations backed by robust data and expertise.


6. NICEM is known to have many analytical centers and instruments. Which center and instruments do you personally work with?

 NICEM consists of 10 special project centers and 12 instrument labs (see Figure 1). The Environmental Risk & Resource Circulation Center primarily handles recycling environmental evaluations. Unlike other analysis-focused labs, this center focuses on risk assessments, consultations, and technical evaluations. It also collaborates with other centers and labs at NICEM to conduct environmental media surveys and pollutant analyses, leveraging the institution’s comprehensive infrastructure.




7. As a researcher, you must experience both challenges and rewards. What are some difficulties and gratifying moments in your work?

 Throughout my master's, Ph.D., and now research career, the biggest challenges have been performance pressure and time management. Research requires creativity and depth, yet results must also be quantified—through papers, patents, and reports—within tight deadlines. These pressures, closely tied to research funding, can be very stressful.
On the bright side, there’s great satisfaction when a project I initiated is selected and completed successfully, or when a paper I've worked on overnight is published. I'm especially proud when students I’ve mentored independently develop ideas, produce results, and confidently present them.


8. Can undergraduate or graduate students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences benefit from or collaborate with NICEM in their studies or research?

 Absolutely. NICEM’s main role is supporting research and providing analytical services in environmental, agricultural, and life sciences. Students from Seoul National University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can utilize NICEM’s advanced instruments for their research and thesis projects. NICEM also regularly hosts workshops, seminars, and training on specific substances and instrument usage, all of which are open to interested students.


9. Lastly, what advice would you give to future researchers who wish to work in institutions like NICEM or in the field of environmental risk/resource circulation?

 To work in environmental risk or resource circulation, it’s essential to be able to interpret and analyze results quantitatively. I recommend becoming familiar with tools such as R, Python, GIS, and life cycle assessment software like openLCA during your undergraduate years.
Another important tip is not to be confined by your major. Environmental issues intersect with biology, chemistry, policy, economics—even law. Gaining an interdisciplinary perspective is a key competitive edge. I encourage reading papers across fields and participating in seminars outside your major.