1. What is the KC Certification?

South Korea is one of the most important and innovative industrial nations in the world. In order to get market access many products that enter the South Korean market are required to be tested and certified. The KC Certification (Korea Certification) focuses on prevention and reduction of risks regarding safety, health or impact on the environment.

Before 2009 there were 13 different certification systems by different government organizations and some even partially overlapped. In 2009 the government of South Korea decided to introduce the KC Mark and to replace the previous 140 different test marks.

The KC Mark and the corresponding KC Certificate are similar to the European CE mark and is valid for 730 different products such as automotive parts, machines and many electronic products. This test mark confirms that the product meets the relevant Korean Safety Standard, called K Standard. K Standard requirements are often similar to the respective IEC Standard (Standard of International Electrotechnical Commission). Although the IEC Standard is similar, it is important to confirm that the Korean requirements are also met before importing or selling to South Korea.

The KC certification is a so-called manufacturer-based certification, meaning that there is no differentiation between the manufacturer and the applicant. Once the certification process has been completed, it will be the actual manufacturer and factory that appears on the certificate.

2. KC Certification authorities

The “Korean Agency for Technology and Standards” (KATS) is responsible for the KC Certification in South Korea. It is part of the “Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy” (MOTIE). KATS is establishing the regulatory framework for the market launch of different consumer goods to ensure the consumers’ safety. Additionally, they are also responsible for drafting standards and international coordination efforts around standardization.

Products which require a KC Label are required to be checked in accordance with the “Quality Management and Safety Control of Industrial Products Act” and the “Electric Appliances Safety Act”.

There are three main bodies that are accredited as certification bodies and permitted to conduct product tests, factory audits and issue certificates. These are the „Korea Testing and Research Institute“ (KTR), the „Korea Testing Laboratory“ (KTL) and „Korea Testing Certification“ (KTC).

Certification Types

The KC certification for electronic products is required to be sold in South Korea are required to have  (Korea Certification Mark) Certification. An accreditation is needed for products with more than 30V (AC) or 42V (DC). Most electronic devices that use the Korean voltage of 220V AC require a certification A distinction is made between the three different certification types:

Type 1: KC Safety Certification

  • Product categories which could to pose a potential danger for users
  • Products will need to be tested at an approved South Korean test lab
  • The KC certificate is valid for 1 year
  • An initial factory inspection and market surveillance are required and has to be passed
  • Regular follow-up inspections and products tests are required
  • Some product examples for Type 1 include: electric wires, cords, capacitors, switches for electrical appliances, filters, motorized electric tools, fuse holder, switches, insulated transformers, lightning appliances

Type 2: KC Safety Check

  • Product categories which are less dangerous for users, e.g. AV and ITE equipment
  • Products of this type have to be tested in an accredited test lab
  • The KC Certification for electronic products is valid for 5 years
  • No factory inspection and market surveillance is required
  • Some product examples for Type 2 include: electric switches, electric appliances, information technology equipment, audio and video devices

Type 3: KC Supplier Conformity Check

  • Product categories which are seen as not dangerous for users (e.g. appliances with less than 50V)
  • Safety standards are applied according to in-house or third-party testing, provided that Korean standards are observed and the tests conducted accordingly
  • No KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards) registration or certification needed
  • The KC certificate has no expiration date
  • No factory inspection or market surveillance is required
  • Some product examples for Type 3 include: fluorescent lamp starter, DC power supplies, charger for electronic devices

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