No Factory Inspection for TVs, dishwashers, Air Purifiers: Korean Market Entry

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The 2026 Guide to KC Safety

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In KC scheme, products such as electrical equipment are subject to Safety Certification, Safety Confirmation, or Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity, depending on their risk level. This guide focuses on the mid-risk Safety Confirmation scheme and outlines what you need to prepare.

Note 1: Under KC safety regulations, the term "Manufacturer" refers strictly to the actual factory, a definition that differs from the one used by the RRA (Radio Research Agency).

Note 2: IEC CB test reports and certificates are accepted.



Approval Types: Safety Confirmation

Product Categories:

  • Temperature controllers, timers (time switches), and electric welders.
  • Household Appliances: Electric shavers, electric hair clippers, compressors, dishwashers, air purifiers, water purifiers, electric vehicle chargers (rated output power less than 200 kVA), DC mixers, vending machines, and soldering irons.
  • Audio and Video Equipment: TVs, audio systems, disc players.
  • ITE/Office Equipment: Monitors, printers, projectors, copy machines, UPSs (rated output power less than 10 kVA), computer power supplies, notebook computers (including those under 30 Vac and 42 Vdc), tablet PCs (the diagonal length of the screen over 17 cm, including voice call function considered as tablet PC; also under 30 Vac and 42 Vdc), batteries.
  • Lighting Products: Incandescent luminaires, fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, LED lamps (modules; including PCB LED modules).

 

Inspection and Testing Requirements

  • Factory Inspection: No factory inspection is required for Safety Confirmation.
  • Sample Testing: One product sample must be submitted, along with any relevant components required for component testing.
  • Component Compliance: Critical components must be KC- or IEC-marked (based on a valid CB test report and certificate). If not, separate component testing shall be performed, resulting in higher costs and longer lead times.

Required Documents and Samples

Applicants must submit the following documents and samples to certification bodies (e.g., KTL, KTR, KTC) and testing labs (e.g., Designated testing labs, KTL, KTC, KTR):

  • Business License
  • Power of Attorney (POA)
  • Korean User Manual
  • Schematics
  • Parts List (including certificate of critical components)
  • Component Specifications (e.g., motors, heaters, transformers)
  • Insulating material specification
  • Label Sample
  • 1 sample (and critical components if they don’t have a KC mark or IEC (CB test report and certificate)).

GCA Korea provides expert support for global companies navigating Korea’s regulatory requirements, including KC Certification.

Our expertise covers KC EMC, KC Safety, KC Energy Efficiency, KC Automotive Components, KCsEx (ATEX, IECEx), and MFDS (Korean Medical Devices).

Contact ⬇
Tel. +82-31-360-8180
E-mail: forest.lee@gca-kr.com


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