Korean Industrial standard KC certification

In order to enable consumers to better understand the certification marks on the products they buy, and reduce the burden of various certification costs on product manufacturers, The Korea Institute of Technology and Standards (KATS) implemented a new Certification system, KC(Korea Certification), on January 1, 2009, in accordance with the ELECTRIC APPLIANCES SAFETY CONTROL ACT.

In July 2009, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) began to implement and adopt the national unified Certification Mark, that is, "KC Mark", the new mark represents Korea Certification, including electronic appliances and industrial products in safety, electromagnetic compatibility, energy efficiency and other aspects of the certification. Korea s 13 current mandatory symbols will be unified under the new symbol.

KC Certification Basic overview

KC authentication classification

According to the requirements of the latest "Electrical Appliances Safety Management Law", KC Safety certification is divided into three categories: Mandatory Safety Certification, Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation, supplier self - confirmation. From January 2009, all products falling within the mandatory range will be required to obtain a KC certificate.

Mandatory certification is required for products with greater risk to consumers, including more than 30 categories of products such as wires, cables and power tools. In addition to electrical safety testing, these products also need factory review. Safety and EMI/EMC standards required by the original EK plan continue to be applied, and the certificate has no validity period.

Products that pose less risk to consumers will only be subject to self-regulatory certification, including about 20 categories such as electric clocks, printers, and scanners. Self-certified products can be sold as long as they pass the inspection of safety inspection agencies and are self-declared without the need for factory inspection. The validity period of the certification is five years.

Certification bodies and certification procedures

Companies must apply to the Korea Institute of Electrical and Electronic Testing (KETI) and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Testing (KTL) for the KC logo. This is because KETI and KTL are designated by the Korea Institute of Technology and Standards to issue the KC mark certificate and also to test products.

New products need to submit the following documents when applying for KC certification: electrical appliances safety certification application (mandatory products), electrical appliances self-regulatory safety confirmation application and electrical appliances self-regulatory safety confirmation statement (self-regulatory products); A list of parts directly affecting safety; Electrical circuit diagram; Transformer specifications (where relevant); Catalogue of insulating materials (temperature, pressure resistance or fire resistance grade, etc.); Product certificate (including Korean product certificate); Label; Documents certifying the agent's authorization; Questionnaire survey (compulsory products) and other relevant information.

In addition to electrical safety testing, certification bodies also need to carry out the first factory audit of compulsory certification products factory, after issuing certificates also need to carry out annual factory audit and sampling inspection, to ensure that the factory quality management and product quality control is compatible, to ensure that the KC mark authorized factory quality control system, product consistency. The annual factory audit is conducted once a year, and the sampling inspection covers all kinds of products.

Korean KC certification mark

Companies must apply to the Korea Institute of Electrical and Electronic Testing (KETI) and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Testing (KTL) for the KC logo. This is because KETI and KTL are designated by the Korea Institute of Technology and Standards to issue the KC mark certificate and also to test products.

New products need to submit the following documents when applying for KC certification: electrical appliances safety certification application (mandatory products), electrical appliances self-regulatory safety confirmation application and electrical appliances self-regulatory safety confirmation statement (self-regulatory products); A list of parts directly affecting safety; Electrical circuit diagram; Transformer specifications (where relevant); Catalogue of insulating materials (temperature, pressure resistance or fire resistance grade, etc.); Product certificate (including Korean product certificate); Label; Documents certifying the agent's authorization; Questionnaire survey (compulsory products) and other relevant information.

In addition to electrical safety testing, certification bodies also need to carry out the first factory audit of compulsory certification products factory, after issuing certificates also need to carry out annual factory audit and sampling inspection, to ensure that the factory quality management and product quality control is compatible, to ensure that the KC mark authorized factory quality control system, product consistency. The annual factory audit is conducted once a year, and the sampling inspection covers all kinds of products.

Benefits of KC certification

Meet the standards and requirements of Korean market.

After obtaining KC certification, the products meet the standards and requirements of the Korean market, and can be sold and used in the Korean market.

Avoid business risk and legal liability.

If the product is not KC certified, it will not be legally sold and used in the Korean market, which may result in commercial risks and legal liability.

Improve product quality and safety.

KC certification requires products to comply with relevant safety, environmental and quality requirements, through testing and audit to improve product quality and safety.

Enhance enterprise reputation and market competitiveness.

KC certification can enhance a company's credibility and market competitiveness, and increase its product share and sales in the Korean market.

Avoid technical barriers to trade.

Products e certified by KC can avoid technical trade barriers and trade barriers and help promote the development of transnational trade and economic cooperation.

KC certification process

1. The customer prepares samples and materials and submits them to the testing institution

2. The testing institution shall submit the samples and data to KTL/KTC for testing

3. KTL/KTC shall conduct safety test, and issue KC test report after the test is completed

4. (If any) For safety certification, KTL/KTC shall arrange factory inspection, and carry out annual factory inspection annually

5. KTL/KTC audit report and other application documents, KC certificate will be issued after there is no problem.