Korea Conformity (KC) Certification

The KC (Korea Certification) mark is South Korea's product safety and conformity regime. KC Safety applies to electrical products, and KC EMC/Radio to radio and EMC. The regime is divided into three by risk level: mandatory certification, self-regulatory confirmation, and a supplier's declaration.

• Manufacturers exporting electrical and electronic products to South Korea
• Manufacturers of wireless products and communication devices
• Firms selling through an importer in Korea

Mandatory for products within scope. High-risk products require certification and a factory audit; for lower-risk products, test-report-based confirmation or a supplier's declaration may be sufficient. The application must be made through a Korea-based party (manufacturer or importer).

• Determining which KC regime (Certification / Self-regulatory / SDoC) the product falls into
• Testing against Korean national standards (KS/K standards)
• Taking grid conditions into account: 220 V, 60 Hz
• Checking frequency allocation and power limits for wireless products
• A factory audit (for products within mandatory certification)
• Showing the KC mark and certificate number on the product
• Periodic surveillance and product-change notifications

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• PSEJapan Electrical Conformity
• CCCChina Compulsory Certification
• BISIndia Conformity
• BSMITaiwan Conformity
• RCMAustralia/New Zealand
• CEEU Product Conformity
• UKCAUnited Kingdom Conformity
• ENECElectrical Product Safety