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Showing posts from February, 2024

KC EMC Certification - Reporting Changes Without Testing

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KC EMC | Conformity Assessment Change Notice For KC EMC certified products, even if components or other aspects are changed, a change notification without retesting based on the EMC compatibility assessment criteria is possible in the following cases. 1. If functionality in use is blocked or deleted using software without any hardware changes 2. In the case of changes related to electromagnetic compatibility criteria as listed below  - If resistors, inductors, and capacitors are replaced with components of the same type.  - If diodes, including light-emitting diodes, have been substituted with diodes of the same type.  - If the electrical circuit remains the same and the power capacity is reduced.  - If components of a certified product are removed.  - If a certified equivalent component with the same functionality is substituted for a computer's built-in component. 3. In the case of changes related to the criteria for application in the wireless field as outlined below  - When sub

Notice Regarding Introduction and Management of Efficiency Management Equipment

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Energy consumption efficiency rating label. Notice Regarding Introduction and Management of Efficiency Management Equipment   n   Introduction of new items -       Clothing care appliances : New introduction and management for minimum energy efficiency standards (scheduled to be implemented on July 1, 2025).   n   Strengthening energy consumption efficiency standards -       Electric rice cookers : Upward revision of minimum energy efficiency standards and efficiency grade criteria, improvement of efficiency measurement standards (scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2025). -       Electric fan heaters : Strengthening of minimum energy efficiency standards, changes in labeling requirements (from power consumption to heating efficiency) (scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2025).   n   Transfer of efficiency management system -       Bidets : Application of energy efficiency grades, establishment of standards for measuring power consumption in operation modes such as cleaning

Notice of Administrative Preannouncement for the Revision of Operating Guidelines for Management of Conformity Assessment

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Notice of Administrative Preannouncement for the Revision of Operating Guidelines for Management of Conformity Assessment Notice of Administrative Preannouncement for the Revision of Operating Guidelines for Management of Conformity Assessment   -       Certification bodies that have obtained recognition from accreditation bodies are excluded from public bodies. -       Deletion of content related to the operation guidelines of the Korea Accreditation System (KAS) following the integration with the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS). -       Reflecting the introduction of new accreditation areas (such as biobanks, planning verification, and result verification) and harmonizing terminology definitions with the KOLAS operation guidelines (such as proficiency testing operation and product certification). -       Resetting the review cycle to every three years.   Gathering opinions until March 15, 2024.   👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gc

KC EMC Certification - Mandatory Labeling Requirements

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  KC Mark After obtaining KC EMC certification, the following information must be included on the product and packaging. 1. KC Mark 2. Certification No. 3. Conformity Assessment Information - Company Name - Product Name - Model Name - Manufacturing Date - Manufacturer - Country of Origin If it is not possible to display on the product and packaging, it can be indicated in the user manual. Additionally, electronic labeling methods using firmware, software, or QR codes may be chosen. The KC EMC certification label must be displayed on domestically manufactured products before release and on imported products before customs clearance. KC - EMC / RF / SAR 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

Possibility of Mutual Recognition Between KC Certification and CE, FCC Certifications

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  MRA (Mutual Recognition Arrangement) Countries adhere to international standards for electromagnetic wave certification, but mutual recognition is not possible due to differences in national frequency policies, technical standards, and other factors. However, for countries with which Korea has signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) – namely the United States, Canada, Vietnam, and Chile – and countries with which Korea has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTA) – namely the European Union and the United Kingdom – test reports issued by test laboratories in those countries that have been accredited by the National Radio Research Agency (RRA) and conducted based on domestic technical standards are recognized under the same conditions as test reports issued by domestic test laboratories. ※ MRA(Mutual Recognition Arrangement): Entering into agreements between countries to mutually recognize the results of conformity assessments. GCA KOREA review MRA test reports and documents issued by te

The first meeting to enhance export control cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan

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The first meeting to enhance export control cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan The first meeting to enhance export control cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan   The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea, the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Economic and Industrial Policy Bureau of Japan held the first meeting of the "Trilateral Trade and Industry Export Control Dialogue among Korea, the United States, and Japan" on February 22nd at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.   This dialogue took place as part of the Industrial Ministers' Initiative launched following the trilateral summit held at Camp David last August. It aims to enhance coordination on export controls among the three countries while strengthening effective cooperation on common priorities. This was the first meeting held for such purposes. During the dialogue, representatives from the three countries agre

MFDS Engages in Discussions with U.S. FDA for Activation of AI Medical Products

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  AI Medical The MFDS and the U.S. FDA will host the AI Regulatory & International Symposium (AIRIS) 2024 from February 26 to 29. Over the course of four days, regulatory authorities and experts from around the world have been invited to discuss "Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Advancement of Medical Products. At this AIRIS 2024, discussions will take place on the global trends, technical aspects, and application cases of AI in the advancement of medical products. Additionally, experts will share regulatory experiences related to this field and present their insights into the future. On the final day of the symposium, a regulatory agency participation meeting session is also prepared to discuss 'Regulatory Considerations and International Collaboration Strategies for the Utilization of AI in the Advancement of Medical Products.' The MFDS expressed anticipation for active discussions with participants, including the U.S. FDA, during this symposium regardi

The Korea-Georgia Economic Partnership Agreement held its first round of negotiations

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Georgia The Korea-Georgia Economic Partnership Agreement held its first round of negotiations The first round of official negotiations for the signing of the Korea-Georgia Free Trade Agreement will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from February 20th to February 22nd.   The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed that delegations led by our chief negotiator Jang Seong-gil and Gegnadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, will participate in the initial negotiations for the Korea-Georgia Economic Partnership Agreement from February 20th to February 22nd in Tbilisi, Georgia. In 2021, Korea and Georgia recognized the need for cooperation and began jointly researching the economic feasibility of the Korea-Georgia Economic Partnership Agreement. After a public hearing in March 2023 and a report to the National Assembly in April, the first round of negotiations was held. The negotiations, covering 15 sectors including goods, services, and cooperat

Korea RRA Recent Updates to EMC Standards

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  EMC Testing Some EMC standards have been updated in accordance with the revision of the national standard (KS) in the field of electromagnetic compatibility. Following standards are effective since February 19, 2024. ● Electromagnetic interference and immunity measuring apparatus and methods - Antenna calibration test site for the frequency range of 30 MHz to 1000 MHz ✔ KS C 9816-1-5:2020 → KS C 9816-1-5:2023 ● Electromagnetic interference and immunity measuring apparatus and methods - Conducted emissions measurement ✔ KS C 9816-2-1:2020 → KS C 9816-2-1:2023 ● Harmonic current emissions measurement in public low-voltage distribution networks ✔ KS C 9610-3-2:2020/KS C 9610-3-12:2020 → KS C 9610-3-2:2023/KS C 9610-3-12:2023 ● Voltage variation and flicker measurement in public low-voltage distribution networks ✔ KS C 9610-3-3:2020/KS C 9610-3-11:2017 → KS C 9610-3-3:2023/KS C 9610-3-11:2023 ● Surge immunity test ✔ KS C 9610-4-5:2020 → KS C 9610-4-5:2023 ● Arc welding equipment immunity

Hyundai Motor to Manufacture Hydrogen Fuel Cells In-House for Hydrogen Electric Vehicles

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  Hydrogen vehicle Hyundai Motor announced plans to strengthen its leadership in the domestic hydrogen vehicle sector and build a hydrogen value chain by acquiring Hyundai Mobis' hydrogen fuel cell business. Through this agreement, Hyundai Motor intends to acquire facilities, assets, research and development (R&D), as well as production and quality personnel related to Hyundai Mobis' hydrogen fuel cell business, with plans to continue and advance the operations. Through this acquisition, Hyundai Motor anticipates creating synergy by seamlessly integrating research and development (R&D) with production. Additionally, the company plans to enhance the production efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell systems by concentrating core technology and manufacturing expertise, thereby contributing to the group's hydrogen value chain. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

High-level talks to support Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization

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High-level talks to support Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization High-level talks to support Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy held high-level meetings and bilateral negotiations on market access between South Korea and Uzbekistan during the visit of Urinov, Uzbekistan's WTO special representative, and his delegation from February 14th to February 16th. This visit, following the Korean delegation's visit to Uzbekistan in December, was arranged in a return visit format after a two-month interval.   During a separate high-level meeting with Urinov, the WTO special representative, Noh Geon-gi, Director-General for Trade Negotiations, reaffirmed unwavering support for Uzbekistan's WTO accession. Additionally, he conveyed South Korea's concerns regarding bilateral market access negotiations and exchanged views on the current status of economic cooperation between South Korea and Uzbeki

LG Energy Solution has signed a lithium spodumene concentrate supply contract with WesCEF

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LG Energy Solution has signed a lithium spodumene concentrate supply contract with WesCEF LG Energy Solution has signed a lithium spodumene concentrate supply contract with WesCEF On February 14th, LG Energy Solution signed a spodumene supply contract with Australian producer WesCEF. Spodumene concentrate is a processed lithium ore used to produce raw materials for lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate.   LG Energy Solution will receive 85,000 tons of spodumene concentrate from WesCEF, which can produce batteries for around 270,000 high-performance electric vehicles capable of traveling over 500km on a single charge. LG Energy Solution previously secured a five-year contract starting in 2025 to receive 50,000 tons of lithium hydroxide from WesCEF's Mount Holland project, meeting all requirements for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency subsidy. Both companies plan to collaborate further to establish a strong supply chain for essential minerals and raw materials wit

KATS Guidelines for the Safe Use of Parking Heaters

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  Parking Heater The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) and the Korea Consumer Agency are conducting a promotional campaign to prevent winter safety accidents related to parking heaters as the camping season approaches in earnest. A parking heater is a heating device for vehicles that combusts diesel or other fuel without starting the engine, warming the interior of the vehicle using heated air or water. A parking heater has primarily been used during winter for long-distance driving of trucks and other vehicles to provide drivers with sleeping or resting conditions. However, in recent times, its usage has expanded to include camping in vehicles (car camping) and as a heating source within camping tents, leading to an increased risk of safety accidents. Particularly, there is a heightened danger of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents due to improper exhaust pipe installation, emphasizing the need for users to exercise extra caution. ※ Safety Guidelines for the Use of Par

Start of K-Carbon Flagship Technology Development for securing core carbon material technologies

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Start of K-Carbon Flagship Technology Development for securing core carbon material technologies Start of K-Carbon Flagship Technology Development for securing core carbon material technologies Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy initiates "K-Carbon Flagship Technology Development Project" to support carbon materials technology for key industries.   Carbon materials, crucial for industries like aerospace and secondary batteries, have diverse applications ranging from everyday items to advanced technologies, making them pivotal for future industries as they replace traditional materials like steel.   The government plans to invest 1.046 trillion won by 2028, with an initial 124 billion won this year, to secure top-tier carbon material technologies for five key industries like aerospace and defense. This aims to gain a competitive edge in future strategic industries and enhance the safety of advanced material supply chains. A business briefing is scheduled for February 19

RRA Notification on the Revision of Technical Standards for Radio Equipment for Intelligent Transportation Systems

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  C-ITS, Cooperative-Intelligent Transport Systems The Radio Research Agency of Korea (RRA) has announced a revision to the technical standards for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) radio equipment.  The revision aims to facilitate the smooth deployment of ITS in Korea by eliminating the WAVE method and mandating the use of LTE-V2X as the sole communication method for ITS. Public comments will be accepted until April 5, 2024. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

A conference for international standardization experts was held in Seoul

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A conference for international standardization experts was held in Seoul A conference for international standardization experts was held in Seoul Minister Ahn from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy organized a meeting on February 7th at Lotte Hotel in Seoul to discuss expanding international standardization for our technology. He also encouraged Korean experts involved in international standardization efforts.   The meeting brought together key figures in international standardization, including ISO President Seong-Hwan Cho, directors from ISO and IEC responsible for setting international standard policies and strategies, as well as chairpersons and secretaries leading international standard development. They discussed the direction of Korea's international standardization policy. Experts highlighted the critical role of international standards in advanced technology sectors like quantum technology and artificial intelligence. These standards not only facilitate market ent

South Korea and Australia discuss collaboration in the energy and natural resources sector

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South Korea and Australia discuss collaboration in the energy and natural resources sector On February 2nd, Minister An Duk-geun met with Madeleine King, the Australian Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, in Seoul. They discussed cooperation in energy and resources, focusing on key minerals, CCS, and natural gas. Minister An also addressed challenges faced by Korean companies due to Australia's energy regulations.   Both countries agreed on the importance of reducing dependence on specific countries for key minerals and committed to expanding cooperation from exploration, development, and production to refining and processing in the future.   Both countries have agreed to swiftly advance procedures, including the signing of the Korea-Australia CO2 Transport Agreement, to facilitate the seamless progress of the CCS investment project. This initiative involves capturing and transporting CO2 from South Korea to Australia for permanent storage in depleted gas fields.  

Partial Revision of the Enforcement Rules of the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Act by the Korea MFDS

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  In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has announced a partial revision to the Enforcement Rules of the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Act. Public opinions will be accepted until February 7, 2024. - Clarification of Exemptions for Manufacturing and Importation Permits of In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices - Reinforcement of Corrective Orders and Administrative Sanctions for In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Manufacturers and Importers Not Meeting Facility Standards If you have any inquiries regarding the certification of medical devices in Korea, please contact GCA KOREA. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

LG Electronics launches UV Sterilization Air Purifier

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LG Electronics launches UV Sterilization Air Purifier LG Electronics announced the release of new products, including the LG PuriCare Objecare Collection 360-degree air purifier with added UV sterilization and the Aero Tower air purifier. The new LG air purifier introduces UV sterilization for the first time among their models. It filters air through the G filter at the bottom, removing ultra-fine dust and filtering out harmful gases, including ammonia and formaldehyde. The UV sterilization feature eliminates floating bacteria and viruses in the filtered air.   Furthermore, the 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plus' feature adjusts the operation intensity based on the self-analysis of air quality by the product. Compared to the traditional AI mode, LG Electronics stated that this feature can save up to 51.2% in power consumption.   To sell air purifiers in Korea, KC certification is required, EMC / RF / SAR , product safety , and energy efficiency . For inquiries or quo

Revision of some EMC standards at the Korea RRA

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  Some EMC standards are scheduled to be updated in accordance with the revision of the national standard (KS) in the field of electromagnetic compatibility. Public comments will be accepted until February 14, 2024. ● Electromagnetic interference and immunity measuring apparatus and methods - Antenna calibration test site for the frequency range of 30 MHz to 1000 MHz KS C 9816-1-5:2020 → KS C 9816-1-5:2023 ● Electromagnetic interference and immunity measuring apparatus and methods - Conducted emissions measurement KS C 9816-2-1:2020 → KS C 9816-2-1:2023 ● Harmonic current emissions measurement in public low-voltage distribution networks KS C 9610-3-2:2020/KS C 9610-3-12:2020 → KS C 9610-3-2:2023/KS C 9610-3-12:2023 ● Voltage variation and flicker measurement in public low-voltage distribution networks KS C 9610-3-3:2020/KS C 9610-3-11:2017 → KS C 9610-3-3:2023/KS C 9610-3-11:2023 ● Surge immunity test KS C 9610-4-5:2020 → KS C 9610-4-5:2023 ● Arc welding equipment immunity test KS C 99