GCA | Korea KC Mark Certification

Proposed Ordinance to Amend Part of the Enforcement Rules of the Electrical Appliances and Household Products Safety Management Act   Currently, engine-off heaters are not included in the safety management items regulated under the existing Electrical Appliances and Household Products Safety Management Act, resulting in these products being distributed without applicable safety standards. This has made them prone to accidents. There are plans to establish safety standards for such products to ensure consumer safety.   The "engine-off heater" item will be added to the list of household products that must comply with safety standards.   Comments can be submitted to the relevant authorities until July 10, 2024. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

  Korea's Wireless Equipment Technical Standards The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of Korea has finalized the amendments to the technical standards for unlicensed radio equipment for the domestic introduction of next-generation wireless LAN technology, Wi-Fi 7, and announced that they will be implemented starting May 30, 2024. The amendments are as follows: • The occupied frequency bandwidth for specific low-power wireless devices for wireless access systems, including the 6 GHz band wireless LAN, will be expanded from 160 MHz or less to 320 MHz or less. • The radiated power for specific low-power wireless devices for wireless access systems, including the 6 GHz band wireless LAN, will be increased from 250 mW or less to 500 mW or less. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

Inaugural General Assembly of the Quantum Technology Joint Technical Committee Held   The inaugural meeting for the International Committee on Next-Generation Quantum Technology Standards was held in Seoul, South Korea, attended by representatives from 22 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, and China, hosted by the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards from May 28 to 30.   The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established JTC3 in December to standardize and promote the industrialization of quantum technology, essential for future advanced industries.   The inaugural general assembly of JTC3 featured participation from major companies like IBM, Microsoft, LG Electronics, and Huawei, along with research institutions such as NPL and NIST, and government bodies like Japan's METI and China's MIIT. Discussions focused on the structure of quantum technology standards development, covering

  Korea RRA Update (AI-generated image) On May 27, 2024, the National Radio Research Agency announced an administrative notice regarding the partial revision of the notification on the designation and management of testing institutions for broadcasting and communication equipment.  Public comments on this revision will be accepted until June 17, 2024, and the revised notification is expected to be issued in July. • The conditions for the designation of MRA testing institutions will be relaxed. The requirement that only institutions designated as domestic testing institutions can be designated as MRA testing institutions will be revised so that institutions can be designated as MRA testing institutions without being designated as domestic testing institutions. • The qualifications for technical managers and testers for wire-based internet protocol-based video information processing device testing items (118) will be relaxed to accept testing experience in the entire field, not just in t

LG Electronics expands its vehicle webOS to electric vehicles LG Electronics expands its vehicle webOS to electric vehicles   LG Electronics will supply its vehicle webOS content platform for Kia's new budget electric car, the EV3, set to launch in South Korea in July. This marks the first time webOS has been integrated into an electric vehicle.   webOS is an operating system that powers over 200 million LG smart TVs worldwide. LG Electronics has developed a vehicle-specific webOS based on the proven system from TVs, enabling customers to enjoy a variety of content and services through an optimized UX within the vehicle.   The Kia EV3 is equipped with an entertainment system that allows for real-time streaming of various contents, which users enjoy on mobile or TV, via the vehicle webOS. This system is accessible from both the driver and passenger seats in compliance with driving safety regulations.   The vehicle webOS content platform is part of LG Electronics' SDV (Software D

  Cybersecurity in the Medical Device The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Internet & Security Agency agreed to extend their memorandum of understanding (MOU) for two more years on May 26. This MOU aims to strengthen cooperation in managing safety against cybersecurity threats such as hacking and information leakage in medical devices that utilize information and communication technology. The extension of this agreement aims to further strengthen the cooperation that has been ongoing for four years since 2020, following the mandatory submission of cybersecurity data during the approval and certification of medical devices in November 2019. The key points of the agreement are as follows. • Support for testing and research to strengthen the security of medical devices • Cooperation in developing new security models • Consultation on analyzing and responding to security incidents • Joint hosting of security education seminars and symposiums • Sharing of knowledge, inform

Micro LED inspection method for displays is being advanced as an international standard   The technology for inspecting Micro LED components is being proposed as an international standard at a meeting in Jeju, attended by about 50 experts from Korea, China, Japan, and Germany. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards initiated this proposal during the IEC TC47 international standards meeting.   Micro LED is a type of inorganic light-emitting device that surpasses organic OLEDs in lifespan and doesn't suffer from screen burn-in, making it a promising next-generation display technology. Micro LED displays are constructed from millions to hundreds of millions of tiny LEDs, each between 1 and 20 micrometers in size, smaller than a strand of hair. Each LED serves as a pixel, capable of independently controlling color and brightness, making the consistency of LED quality essential.   The proposed standard involves a non-contact method using photoluminescence to inspect

  Communication Regulations of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Facilities The National Radio Research Agency (RRA) issued an administrative notice on April 29, 2024, announcing partial amendments to the technical standards for the safety, reliability, and communication regulations of broadcasting and telecommunication facilities. • To prevent network disasters and failures and to ensure network stability, new provisions for improving network structure and strengthening the prevention of communication failures will be established. • To enable the use of both internal and external subscriber identity modules in mobile communication devices, the current term "IC card" will be changed to "Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)." 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

Pre-Announcement of Safety Standards for Engine-Off Heaters Pre-Announcement of Safety Standards for Engine-Off Heaters   Engine-off heater products are scheduled to be designated as household goods subject to safety standards compliance under the Electrical Appliances and Household Goods Safety Management Act.   It applies to engine-off heaters that generate warm air or hot water for heating by burning diesel, gasoline, or kerosene. The regulations cover safety aspects such as structure and heat exchanger leakage, pressure resistance of water channels, combustion performance, operation of safety devices, and environmental testing.   The Korea Agency for Technology and Standards will receive comments on the proposed regulation until July 16, 2024. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

  Medical product approval status (AI-generated image) The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that in April 2024, a total of 136 medical products were approved, including 39 pharmaceuticals, one quasi-drug, and 96 medical devices. This represented 69.7% of the average monthly approval rate of 195 items last year, and a decrease of 18.1% compared to the 166 items approved in March. Notably, pharmaceutical approvals decreased significantly by 45.8% compared to March. For the month, the number of approvals for pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs was lower than the average monthly approvals last year, while the number of medical device approvals showed no significant difference. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

Unsafe overseas products without certification are banned from import   The government has announced measures to enhance consumer safety and improve corporate competitiveness due to the surge in overseas direct purchases. By June 2024, overseas direct purchases s that pose significant risks to public safety and health, such as those without safety certifications, will be prohibited. This includes medicines and medical devices, for which the management of existing prohibited products will also be strengthened.   -         Overseas direct purchases of 34 types of children's products used by children under the age of 13 will be prohibited if they do not have KC certification. -         Overseas direct purchases of 34 types of electrical and household items will be prohibited if they do not have KC certification. -         Overseas direct purchases of 12 types of household chemical products will be prohibited if they are not declared or approved.   -         The overseas direct purchas

  Cosmetic Ingredient Lists (AI-generated image) On May 13, 2024, the MFDS announced that it will partially amend the regulations regarding the reporting of cosmetic ingredient lists. Public comments will be accepted until June 3, 2024, and the details of the amendments are as follows. - To reduce the paperwork burden on businesses caused by the repeated reporting of the same content when submitting ingredient lists for customized cosmetics, the reporting method will be improved to allow products using the same content to be grouped and reported collectively. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

Launch of the world's first international organization for advanced air traffic standardization, the Advanced Air Traffic International Alliance Launch of the world's first international organization for advanced air traffic standardization, the Advanced Air Traffic International Alliance   The Ministry of Science and ICT hosted the launch ceremony of the Global Association for Advanced Air Mobility (G3AM), the world's first international factual standardization organization for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), on May 14 in Seoul. Advanced air traffic refers to aviation transportation that encompasses urban air traffic focused on short distances and regional air traffic focused on medium to long distances. It is a technology that is garnering attention as a future mode of transportation, particularly for expanding transportation rights and addressing environmental issues associated with existing modes of transportation.   G3AM, launching today, is an international or

  Electric Vehicle (EV) Wired Charger Korea RRA Update May 10, 2024, the National Radio Research Agency announced that some revisions will be made to the Electromagnetic Compatibility Criteria. Public comments will be accepted until July 9, 2024. - A wired charging device for electric vehicles is added to the definition of class A and class B devices.  - New electromagnetic compatibility criteria for the evaluation of the suitability of wired charging device for electric vehicles will be established. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

South Korea and Kyrgyzstan discussed cooperation in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors / unsplash South Korea and Kyrgyzstan discussed cooperation in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors On May 10th, Minister An Duk-geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy met with Taalaibek Ibraev, Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan, in Seoul to discuss cooperation in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the signing of an MOU on energy cooperation between Korea and Kyrgyzstan. Minister An Duk-geun emphasized South Korea's ongoing efforts to promote renewable energy and requested Kyrgyzstan's support for Korean companies to enter the renewable energy market in the country. Both countries are enhancing energy efficiency policies for climate crisis response and energy security. They agreed to boost personnel and technology exchanges. Lastly, Kyrgyzstan's participation and support for the 2024 WCE in Busan were requested.   👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-36

  Customs Clearance KC Certification Safety Inspection (Freepik) KC Safety Standards In anticipation of increased imports during Family Month in May, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) and the Korea Customs Service (KCS) conducted intensified safety inspections at the customs clearance stage for items expected to see a rise in imports. Toy items were the most frequently seized with 198,954 cases, followed by children's textile products with 9,206 cases, and sports safety helmets with 540 cases. In terms of violation types, the most common were breaches of labeling requirements with 170,572 cases, followed by falsification of certification markings with 34,248 cases, and failure to obtain KC certification with 4,808 cases. Products detained in this safety inspection can be cleared for customs once the violations are rectified by the business operator. Those unable to do so will either be disposed of or returned to the exporting country. - Breach of labeling requir

  Radio Waves Act (AI-generated image) Revision of the Radio Waves Act The Radio Waves Act Enforcement Ordinance is scheduled to be partially revised. Public opinions will be accepted until June 18, 2024. • Improvement of the Radio Waves Application Equipment Inspection System Previously, the scope of buildings for multi-shielding facilities was limited to windowless reinforced concrete structures. However, reflecting changes in radio wave application facilities, the scope of multi-shielding facilities for radio wave application equipment is expanded to include buildings constructed with various construction methods. When inspecting the compliance of technical standards for wireless facilities, if a multi-shielding facility is available, multiple transmitting devices using the same frequency can be inspected simultaneously, and the inspection fee can also be reduced, which can mitigate economic and time losses. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global

Documents required for applying for safety certification of electrical appliances / freepik Documents required for applying for safety certification of electrical appliances   The safety certification system is a system in which a person who manufactures an electrical appliance subject to safety certification or who intends to export an electrical appliance manufactured in a foreign country to Korea must obtain safety certification for each model of the electrical appliance subject to safety certification from a safety certification organization before the product is shipped (domestic manufacturing) or before customs clearance (imported products).   Product manual (including user instructions) Names of components directly affecting electrical safety, manufacturer names, models, ratings, and derivative model names. Documents containing electrical characteristics. Specification sheets for insulating materials (referring to temperature and flame retardant characteristics

  Wi-Fi 7 (AI-generated image) In an effort to facilitate the domestic adoption of Wi-Fi 7, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has announced plans to revise the notification regarding the technical standards for unlicensed wireless devices. Public comments will be accepted until May 20, 2024, after which the notification will be revised and implemented. - The occupied frequency bandwidth of a specific low-power wireless device for wireless connectivity systems, including the 6 GHz band WLAN, is expanded from 160 MHz to 320 MHz. - The radiated power of certain low-power wireless devices for wireless connectivity systems, including 6 GHz band WLANs, increases from 250 mW to 500 mW as the occupied frequency bandwidth increases. 👉 Contact GCA Tel. +82-31-360-8180 Email: forest.lee@gca-kr.com GCA Global Website

Punishments for violations of post-management in the efficiency management system / freepik Punishments for violations of post-management in the efficiency management system   Punitive measures for violations of post-management in the efficiency management system.   For products covered by the mandatory reporting system, the Minimum Energy Performance Standard Program, failure to report may result in fines of up to 5 million KRW, while falsifying information may lead to fines of up to 20 million KRW. Violating orders prohibiting the production and sale of products falling below minimum efficiency standards may also incur fines of up to 20 million KRW.   If false labeling is found on products certified under the high-efficiency certification system, the certification may be revoked.   For products covered under the e-standby program, failure to report or falsely labeling products subject to warning signs for not meeting standby power reduction standards may result in fin