Korea KC Certification | GCA

Korea’s KCs explosion-proof certification system comprehensively assesses not only a product’s explosion-proof performance but also the manufacturer’s technical capabilities and production system through a safety certification body designated in accordance with Article 84 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Once all applicable requirements are met, the KCs mark is granted, allowing the product to be supplied and sold in the Korean market. KCs explosion-proof certification involves four main types of assessment: document assessment, technical capability and production system assessment, product assessment, and factory inspection. What Are the Four Types of KCs Explosion-Proof Certification Assessment? •   Document Assessment An assessment to verify whether relevant technical documents, such as product design drawings and user manuals, comply with the applicable safety certification requirements. •   Technical Capability and Production System Assessment An assessment to...

Why is Korea introducing new safety tests for electric bicycles? Korea is strengthening its KC safety requirements to help prevent electric bicycle fires. On August 4, 2026, the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) issued a public notice of proposed amendments to Annex 40 (Bicycles) of the Safety Standards for Consumer Products Subject to Safety Confirmation . The proposed amendments introduce new waterproof tests for electrical components, as well as battery over-discharge and overcurrent tests. What's Changing Under the New Amendments? If the amendments are implemented, the safety requirements for electric bicycles will be strengthened, helping to reduce fire risks before products enter the Korean market. In particular, the following safety aspects are expected to be improved: Enhanced verification of waterproof performance for electrical components Enhanced verification of battery over-discharge safety Enhanced verification of battery overcurrent ...

Many manufacturers assume that IECEx or ATEX certification is sufficient to sell explosion-protected equipment in South Korea. However, KCs Ex certification is still mandatory for products entering the Korean market. Existing IECEx or ATEX certificates and supporting test documentation may allow certain testing and documentation requirements to be reduced or simplified during the KCs Ex certification process. This can help manufacturers save both time and certification costs while ensuring compliance with Korean regulations. If you have any questions about KCs Ex certification for the Korean market, the GCA KOREA team will be happy to assist you. How GCA KOREA Can Help GCA KOREA supports global manufacturers and importers with: •  KC Certification •  KC EMC  Testing & Certification •   KC Safety  Testing & Certification •  Korea  Energy Efficiency  Testing & Certification •  Korea  Automotive Components  ...

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has revised the KC Safety Confirmation criteria for tablet PCs by increasing the minimum screen diagonal size from 17 cm to 20 cm . As a result of this amendment, large-screen smartphones that were previously classified as tablet PCs for KC Safety Confirmation purposes solely due to their screen size will no longer fall under the tablet PC criteria. Instead, they will be clearly regulated under the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) framework applicable to smartphones. The revised requirements will take effect on November 1, 2026 . Q1. Why were large-screen smartphones previously classified as tablet PCs? Previously, devices with a screen diagonal of 17 cm or larger were classified as tablet PCs subject to KC Safety Confirmation . As a result, some large-screen smartphones with screen diagonals of 17 cm or more, such as the Galaxy Ultra , were also classified as tablet PCs and were required to undergo the KC Saf...