Goals
The objectives of the prestation Certification of electrical products for South Korea (KC) :
Testing, registering and certifying products for the Korean market.In order to assist manufacturers and importers in accessing the Korean market, Apave Certification has signed an agreement with KTL (Korea Testing Laboratory), one of the few recognised bodies for KC certification, an essential step for exporting to South Korea.
How this partnership works:
Our laboratories in France test items intended for export according to KTL criteria. After these tests, items that meet KC standards receive certification and the KC logo can then be affixed to them.
Once certification has been granted, surveillance audits are carried out in the production factories.Once certification has been obtained, surveillance audits are also carried out in the production factories for products subject to safety certification.The KC system has three types of certification:
- KC safety certification: The most complex process, with very strict requirements. In addition to product testing in Korea, the production site is subject to an audit and follow-up inspections every two years to maintain the validity of the certificates.
- KC Safety Confirmation:This requires product testing in Korea and applications to finalise the certification process. Certification application - Product testing - Issuance of a safety confirmation report.- Supplier Compliance Confirmation: The manufacturer must guarantee and demonstrate that the products comply with Korean standards. Testing in Korea is generally preferred. This certification is also known as ‘KC Supplier Compliance’.
Thanks to this partnership, Apave Certification remains up to date with the standards governing the export of products to South Korea.
How this partnership works:
Our laboratories in France test items intended for export according to KTL criteria. After these tests, items that meet KC standards receive certification and the KC logo can then be affixed to them.
Once certification has been granted, surveillance audits are carried out in the production factories.Once certification has been obtained, surveillance audits are also carried out in the production factories for products subject to safety certification.The KC system has three types of certification:
- KC safety certification: The most complex process, with very strict requirements. In addition to product testing in Korea, the production site is subject to an audit and follow-up inspections every two years to maintain the validity of the certificates.
- KC Safety Confirmation:This requires product testing in Korea and applications to finalise the certification process. Certification application - Product testing - Issuance of a safety confirmation report.- Supplier Compliance Confirmation: The manufacturer must guarantee and demonstrate that the products comply with Korean standards. Testing in Korea is generally preferred. This certification is also known as ‘KC Supplier Compliance’.
Thanks to this partnership, Apave Certification remains up to date with the standards governing the export of products to South Korea.
Description
The KC (Korea Certification) certification focuses on the prevention and reduction of safety, health or environmental impact risks.
The KC mark and the corresponding KC certificate are similar to the European CE mark and are valid for 730 different products such as automotive parts, machines and many electronic products.
This test mark confirms that the product meets the corresponding Korean safety standard, called the K standard.
KC certification is mandatory for products mentioned in the "Electrical Appliances Safety Control Law":
- Cords and cables,
- Switch for electrical installations,
- Capacitors and power filters,
- Electrical accessories and interconnection connectors,
- Protection of electrical appliances,
- Isolation transformers,
- Household electrical appliances,
- Portable power tools,
- Audio and video technology equipment,
- Information and communication equipment,
- Lighting equipment.
KC certified products are assigned a KC number and/or KC logo (depending on the product type), which must be clearly displayed on the product listing online and on the product or its packaging. This number/logo confirms that the product complies with Korean standards.
Apave Certification can help and support you in the certification process.
The KC mark and the corresponding KC certificate are similar to the European CE mark and are valid for 730 different products such as automotive parts, machines and many electronic products.
This test mark confirms that the product meets the corresponding Korean safety standard, called the K standard.
KC certification is mandatory for products mentioned in the "Electrical Appliances Safety Control Law":
- Cords and cables,
- Switch for electrical installations,
- Capacitors and power filters,
- Electrical accessories and interconnection connectors,
- Protection of electrical appliances,
- Isolation transformers,
- Household electrical appliances,
- Portable power tools,
- Audio and video technology equipment,
- Information and communication equipment,
- Lighting equipment.
KC certified products are assigned a KC number and/or KC logo (depending on the product type), which must be clearly displayed on the product listing online and on the product or its packaging. This number/logo confirms that the product complies with Korean standards.
Apave Certification can help and support you in the certification process.
Regulatory context
1. Electrical Safety and Household Goods
This is the cornerstone for anything that plugs in or contains batteries.
- Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act: this is the framework law. It defines three levels of risk: Certification, Confirmation, and Declaration.
- K-Standards: These are the technical specifications (often harmonised with IEC standards) that the product must validate in the laboratory (e.g. KC 60335-1 for household appliances).
2. Telecommunications and Radio (EMC/RF)
For any product that emits waves (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5G) or may cause electromagnetic interference.
- Radio Waves Act: managed by the RRA (National Radio Research Agency). It requires electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and radio frequency exposure (DAS/SAR) testing.
- Telecommunications Basic Act: Governs the interoperability of network equipment.
3. Children's Products
Korea has some of the strictest regulations in the world for minors.
Special Act on Safety of Children's Products: Applies to all products intended for children under 13 years of age (toys, clothing, school supplies). No exemptions are possible, and testing for phthalates and heavy metals is systematic.
4. Energy Efficiency
- Energy Use Rationalisation Act: Certain products (refrigerators, lighting, adapters) must carry an additional label indicating their energy consumption class (1 to 5).
This is the cornerstone for anything that plugs in or contains batteries.
- Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act: this is the framework law. It defines three levels of risk: Certification, Confirmation, and Declaration.
- K-Standards: These are the technical specifications (often harmonised with IEC standards) that the product must validate in the laboratory (e.g. KC 60335-1 for household appliances).
2. Telecommunications and Radio (EMC/RF)
For any product that emits waves (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5G) or may cause electromagnetic interference.
- Radio Waves Act: managed by the RRA (National Radio Research Agency). It requires electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and radio frequency exposure (DAS/SAR) testing.
- Telecommunications Basic Act: Governs the interoperability of network equipment.
3. Children's Products
Korea has some of the strictest regulations in the world for minors.
Special Act on Safety of Children's Products: Applies to all products intended for children under 13 years of age (toys, clothing, school supplies). No exemptions are possible, and testing for phthalates and heavy metals is systematic.
4. Energy Efficiency
- Energy Use Rationalisation Act: Certain products (refrigerators, lighting, adapters) must carry an additional label indicating their energy consumption class (1 to 5).
Periodicity
Certificate validity period
The validity of the certificate itself varies depending on the category:
- Type 1 (Safety certification): the certificate is valid indefinitely, provided that the factory passes periodic audits every two years.
- Type 2 (Safety Confirmation): The certificate is generally valid for five years (or indefinitely depending on the organisation, but with an obligation to update if standards change).
- Type 3 (SDoC - Supplier's Declaration of Conformity): no fixed expiry date, but the file must be kept up to date as long as the product is on the market.
- Radio/EMC Compliance (KCC/MSIP): generally valid for life for the specific model, unless a hardware modification (antenna, RF components, critical circuit) is made to the product. Frequency of inspections and audits (Maintenance) Maintaining certification requires regular inspections, especially for high-risk products: Factory audit (Type 1 only): An inspector must visit the manufacturing plant every 2 years to verify the quality control system and test equipment.
The validity of the certificate itself varies depending on the category:
- Type 1 (Safety certification): the certificate is valid indefinitely, provided that the factory passes periodic audits every two years.
- Type 2 (Safety Confirmation): The certificate is generally valid for five years (or indefinitely depending on the organisation, but with an obligation to update if standards change).
- Type 3 (SDoC - Supplier's Declaration of Conformity): no fixed expiry date, but the file must be kept up to date as long as the product is on the market.
- Radio/EMC Compliance (KCC/MSIP): generally valid for life for the specific model, unless a hardware modification (antenna, RF components, critical circuit) is made to the product. Frequency of inspections and audits (Maintenance) Maintaining certification requires regular inspections, especially for high-risk products: Factory audit (Type 1 only): An inspector must visit the manufacturing plant every 2 years to verify the quality control system and test equipment.
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