South Korea
Basis for approvals in South Korea: KC certification, KC Marking, KC EMC certification, KCs Certification, KEMCO certification.
For many manufacturers and importers, compliance with local regulations in South Korea requires certification to verify adherence to consumer safety standards.
VES Testing & Certification has the expertise to manage compliance and help you make the right decisions to access the Korean market, ensuring that all necessary testing and certifications are completed quickly and professionally.
Certification Services in South Korea
- KC Certification
- KC Marking
- KC EMC Certification
- KCs Certification
- KEMCO Certification
KC Certification
KC is a mandatory certification system in South Korea. It ensures that only products certified by authorized Korean certification bodies are sold, preventing risks or malfunctions of electrical appliances. Compliance is required under the Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act and related laws.
KC Compliance Schemes
- KC Safety Certification – For products posing a higher risk to users. Annual production audits are mandatory. If CB test reports are available, preliminary testing may be waived. This requirement applies to both products and components.
- KC Safety Confirmation – For products considered less hazardous. Manufacturers may provide third-party test reports including Korea-specific standards. Product registration is required. No audits are necessary, and the certificate is valid for five years.
- KC Supplier Confirmation – For low-risk electronic products. Third-party test reports may be submitted, with no product audit or registration required. All product manuals must be translated into Korean before starting the certification process.
KC certification is manufacturer-based, meaning there is no distinction between applicant and manufacturer. Products requiring KC certification that are manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold without approval—or falsely labeled—are subject to prosecution under Korean law. Penalties may include imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to 30 million KRW.
KC Marking
Once a product has been successfully certified, the KC label must be affixed to the product along with specific additional information. The KC Mark is South Korea’s national integrated certification mark, comparable to CE in the EU, PS in Japan, and CCC in China. Under the KC logo, the certification body and certificate number must be displayed. In addition, certain product details—such as product and model name, production date, and rated voltage (for electronic products)—must appear on the label.
While the KC logo is a fixed requirement, detailed labeling requirements for product information may vary depending on the product category.
VES Testing & Certification provides expert support and guidance on KC marking requirements and procedures. We stay up to date with the latest standards and can guide manufacturers through the entire process efficiently.
KC EMC Certification
Most electronic devices, as well as broadcasting and telecommunication equipment intended for sale in Korea, must obtain KC EMC Certification. This certification ensures that products are electromagnetically compatible with their environment, do not cause harmful interference, and pose no risk to consumers.
The responsible institutions for KC EMC Certification are the South Korean National Radio Research Agency (RRA) and the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).
As wireless technologies become increasingly widespread, KC EMC Certification is becoming even more important for compliance in the Korean market.
Required Application Documents
• English translation of the manufacturer’s commercial register extract
• Product drawings and photos
• Product marking information
• In-house test reports for the product
• Description of applicable test requirements
KC EMC Certification Process
• Submission of application documents to the authority
• Product testing in Korea following the authority’s initial document review
• Issuance of test reports and subsequent certification by the RRA
VES Testing & Certification can support you in obtaining KC EMC Certificates based on your submitted documentation. Contact us at info@ves-certification.com for assistance.
KCs – Korean Safety Certification
The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) unified safety certification systems under the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Korea. Only products that have been tested by an internationally accredited testing center, certified, and labeled with the Korea Certification (KCs) mark may enter the Korean market.
The KCs mark demonstrates that industrial equipment and machinery are safe, and that consistent quality is ensured throughout the manufacturing process. Industrial machinery, protective devices, and personal protective equipment must comply with safety, technical capacity, or production system requirements as mandated by Korean law.
Two Types of Documents:
• Certification of Conformity (CoC)
• Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Process of KCs Certification
• Application
• Document review
• Product examination
• Quality assessment
• Issuance of KCs Certificate
Surveillance – Annual
A yearly surveillance audit is carried out to verify that certified manufacturers continue to meet safety certification requirements.
VES Testing & Certification provides expert support in conducting testing and inspections for products requiring a Declaration of Conformity (DoC). Partnering with us ensures shorter lead times and the benefit of established working relations with local authorities. Contact us to efficiently obtain the KC mark for your products.
KEMCO Certification (Energy Efficiency)
The KEMCO certification system was established to regulate energy consumption in South Korea. It plays a key role in controlling emissions and creating incentives for energy efficiency improvements.
Certification Authority
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Korea Energy Management Corporation (KEMCO) are the primary organizations responsible for energy efficiency regulations. MOTIE has delegated implementation and execution of these regulations to KEMCO.
Energy Efficiency Label and Standard Program (Mandatory)
This mandatory certification scheme covers 35 product categories, including:
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- TVs
- Electric motors
- Domestic gas boilers
- Electric fans
Only KC-certified products typically fall under this program. Testing must be performed in designated national laboratories to determine efficiency grades. Test reports are submitted to KEMCO and made publicly available. Manufacturers must then display an energy efficiency label on certified products.
e-Standby Program (Mandatory)
This scheme covers around 22 product categories and promotes reduced standby power consumption and energy-saving modes for idle products.
Examples include:
- Computers
- Printers
- Scanners
- TVs
- Monitors
- Home audio systems
- Servers
- Hand dryers
- Copiers
Testing must be conducted in designated laboratories. Products meeting requirements may voluntarily display the program label. Non-compliant products must attach a warning label.
High-Efficiency Appliance Certification Program (Voluntary)
This voluntary scheme covers around 44 product categories, mainly industrial and building equipment. Products meeting government-defined efficiency standards may display the certification label and could qualify for financial incentives.
Examples include:
- Lighting equipment
- Industrial gas boilers
- Inverters
- Centrifugal blowers
- Industrial oil boilers
- LED security lights
- LED traffic lights
- Heat recovery ventilators
Approval requires submission of application documents and a test report from a designated testing facility. Once approved, manufacturers may apply the official KEMCO efficiency label.
The experts at VES Testing & Certification can help you determine the exact certification type required for your products, along with the necessary testing, inspection, and compliance steps. Contact us at info@ves-certification.com for professional assistance.