Korea KC Certification | GCA

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has published proposed revisions to the KC safety standards and related operational guidelines ( Announcement No. 2026-206 ) for public comment to ensure the safety of new types of electric vehicle chargers and support the smooth launch of new products in response to advances in EV charging technology and changes in the market environment. Public comments on the proposed revisions will be accepted until August 31, 2026 . The revisions introduce safety standards for new types of EV chargers, including portable EV chargers and wheel stop-integrated EV chargers, paving the way for KC certification and commercialization of products that were previously difficult to certify. They also align the KC safety standards with international standards by incorporating the latest EV charging technologies. Revisions to the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Guideline Removal of Obsolete Safety Standards • KC 61851-2...

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) amended the Regulation on IVD Medical Device Items and Item Classification ( Notification No. 2026-45 ) on June 30, 2026, establishing two new categories of self-testing in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) for influenza and drugs of abuse. The amendment expands public access to self-testing IVDs by broadening the scope beyond the existing nine self-testing IVD categories, including those for pregnancy, blood glucose, and COVID-19. The newly introduced influenza self-test kit is expected to enable rapid identification of infected individuals during the early stages of infection, helping to reduce disease transmission. In addition, the drugs of abuse self-test kit will allow individuals to quickly determine whether they have been unintentionally exposed to illicit drugs, supporting timely and appropriate responses.   The newly established self-testing IVD categories are as follows. • K05070.01 IVD reagents for self testing of I...

The Korea National Radio Research Agency (RRA) has amended the Notification on Conformity Assessment of Broadcasting and Communication Equipment ( Notification No. 2026-2 ), effective June 26, 2026, to clarify the applicability of the KC EMC Conformity Assessment to Home Network Terminals. The amendment adds Home Network Terminals, such as wall-mounted smart home control panels, to the list of representative products under Information Technology Terminal Equipment, a subcategory of Multimedia Equipment covered by Korea's KC EMC Conformity Assessment. Information Technology Terminal Equipment refers to equipment that performs independent information processing functions and is used either independently or by connecting to a computer via a network or wired connection. Previously, representative products included display control terminals, POS terminals, barcode scanners, electronic calculating terminals, copiers (including multifunction printers), and multi-card readers. By adding H...

Manufacturers and importers planning to place dehumidifiers on the Korean market should determine whether their products are subject to Korea's Energy Efficiency Rating. Dehumidifiers subject to Korea's Energy Efficiency Rating Program are electric dehumidifiers designed to reduce indoor humidity. Specifically, the scope covers products that operate on single-phase AC 220V power, incorporate a refrigeration compressor and fan within a single cabinet, and have a rated power consumption of 1,000W or less. Products are assigned energy efficiency grades from Grade 1 to Grade 5 based on their energy efficiency, while products that fail to meet Korea's Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) are prohibited from being manufactured or sold. Before being placed on the Korean market, applicable products must complete the required energy efficiency testing and registration procedures and display the Energy Efficiency Rating Label. The Energy Efficiency Rating Label for dehumidifie...

Recently, cases have been identified where audio equipment placed on the Korean market complies with KC Product Safety and EMC/RF requirements, but the mandatory registration under the e-Standby Program has been overlooked. Products subject to the e-Standby Program must complete the required registration before being introduced to the Korean market. Manufacturers and importers are therefore advised to review the applicable regulatory requirements in advance to avoid unnecessary business risks and potential market compliance issues. •  What is the e-Standby Program? The e-Standby Program is one of Korea's mandatory energy efficiency programs, designed to promote the reduction of standby power consumption in electronic products. Manufacturers and importers of regulated products must test their products in accordance with the prescribed technical standards and measurement methods and complete the required registration with the Korea Energy Agency within 60 days after completion. ...

During the 2026 post-market surveillance conducted by the Korea Energy Agency, numerous cases of non-compliance with energy consumption efficiency registration and labeling requirements were identified for monitor products. Accordingly, companies marketing monitor products in Korea should review their compliance with additional model registration requirements and energy consumption efficiency labeling regulations. What is an Additional Model? An additional model refers to a model to which the company has assigned a new model name due to changes such as feature enhancements, production period, color, or handle position, without any change in energy consumption efficiency. However, where energy consumption efficiency is affected by changes to the electrical or mechanical internal structure, the addition or removal of components, or the introduction of new functions, the product shall be registered as a separate new model rather than as an additional model. Key Violation Cases •  Sa...