Korea KC Certification | GCA

On December 22, 2025, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) issued an administrative pre-announcement of revisions to the Standards for Handling Nonconformity with Household Product Safety Standards and the Operational Guidelines for the Safety Management of Electrical Appliances and Household Products , with the aim of enhancing the safety management efficiency of protective helmets for sports users and clarifying the scope of safety application by type. This revision serves as a follow-up to the upcoming amendment of safety standards for sports helmets , effective February 2, 2026. Public opinions will be collected until January 12, 2026. Key Revision Details Alignment of test items (materials, performance, etc.) with the updated safety standards Improved non-compliance handling criteria reflecting real-world hazard levels, such as retention system performance Addition of missing model classifications for hiking and ski helmets Clarification of types for ba...

Planning Korean market entry? Master the KC certification essentials for Portable Bluetooth Speakers to enable legal sales and distribution. KC Certification Requirements for Portable Bluetooth Speakers Power: Battery Certification Type: KC Conformity Registration (EMC/RF) Sample Quantity: 1 normal (EMC), 1 conduction (RF) Check here for the KC certification timeline and required documents. Notes KC-approved battery shall be used. If not, the batteries must obtain safety confirmation approval. If RF module installed in the product is approved, RF test is not needed. 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 GCA Korea today to streamline your certification process and accelerate market access...

On December 5, 2025, the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) announced the results of a safety inspection of 402 products sold on overseas online platforms. The inspection, focused on winter-season items, found that 36 products (9%) failed to meet KC safety standards. This rate is significantly higher than the 5% average observed in domestically distributed products. Key noncompliant items included Electrical appliances: heating pads (5), batteries (2), electric blankets (1), electric stoves (1) Children’s products: children’s textiles (7), school supplies (6), toys (4), infant textiles (3) Household items: heat packs (2), ski helmets (1), and electric scooters (1) KATS disclosed details of the identified hazardous products and requested that online platforms block sales of the affected items, implementing measures to safeguard consumer safety. GCA KOREA offers a comprehensive one-stop service covering importation, customs clearance, testing...

On December 5, 2025, the National Radio Research Agency (RRA) issued a notification of a partial revision to the SAR measurement standards. The current SAR measuring procedures, KS C 3370-1 and KS C 3370-2, will be integrated into a new standard, KS C 3350, which closely aligns with IEC/IEEE 62209-1528:2020. This new SAR standard will take effect on April 1, 2026. Revisions to SAR Measuring Procedures Previous Standard: KS C 3370-1 (based on IEC 62209-1) and KS C 3370-2 (based on IEC 62209-2) Revised Standard: KS C 3350 The integration into KS C 3350 is expected to reduce inconsistencies that previously arose from using the two separate standards. 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 GC...

On December 3, 2025, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) issued an administrative pre-announcement to amend the KC safety standards for two-wheeled bicycles and electric boards, which are designated as Household Products Subject to Safety Confirmation. The revision aims to prevent fall accidents caused by weld breakage in folding bicycles, curb illegal maximum speed modifications on electric bicycles and boards, and address unlawful brake removal from regular bicycles through strengthened safety standards. KATS is collecting public opinions regarding this change until February 6, 2026. Key Points of the Revision Adds “whether equipped with a folding frame mechanism” as a new classification criterion for two-wheeled bicycles (regular, mountain, and electric). Mandates that users of electric bicycles and boards are unable to manipulate or unlock the maximum speed (under 25 km/h). Elevates brake defects in regular bicycles and top speed defects in electric ...

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has issued a notification of a revision to the Standards for Handling Nonconformity with Electrical Appliance Safety Standards to better align with international standards. The revised standards took effect on November 26, 2025, the date of notification. Key amendments include: Changes to inspection items for isolation transformers, electrical equipment, power tools, and lighting equipment. Removal of electric vehicle components and connectors from safety control categories, and the addition of automotive adapters as a new category. In Korea, electrical appliances are classified by risk level under three KC safety management systems: Safety Certification, Safety Confirmation, or Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) . Each system specifies target product categories and safety standards.  KATS regularly inspects even certified products, and when noncompliance is identified, the agency may order recalls, sales su...

On November 24, 2025, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources (MOTIR) issued a notification revising the Safety Standards Appendix for Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) Targets of Children's Products for Roller Skates and Inline Skates. The key updates include changes to product classification criteria and the alignment of testing methods with international standards. Detailed information is available in the previously announced administrative notice. The revised notification is scheduled to take effect on May 25, 2026. Children's Products of SDoC Targets include all children's products except those that require safety certification or safety confirmation. Manufacturers and importers must self-verify compliance with safety standards based on test reports and supporting documents, then attach the SDoC mark to the products. GCA KOREA provides a comprehensive one-stop service covering importation, customs clearance, testing, certification, and follow-up...

Planning to enter the Korean market? Understanding the KC certification process is essential to ensure your smartwatch can be legally sold and distributed in Korea. Smartwatches are categorized by their communication method—Cellular or Bluetooth—and the required certifications vary accordingly.   KC Certification Requirements for Smartwatches Cellular Smartwatch (Bluetooth, 3G, LTE, 5G) Power: Battery Certification Type: KC Conformity Certification (EMC/RF/SAR) Sample Quantity: 2 normal (EMC/SAR), 1 conduction (RF)   Bluetooth Smartwatch (Bluetooth only) Power: Battery Certification Type: KC Conformity Registration (EMC/RF) Sample Quantity: 1 normal (EMC), 1 conduction (RF)   Check here for the KC certification timeline and required documents.   Notes If RF module installed in the product is approved, RF test is not needed. KC approved battery shall be used. If not, the batteries must obtain safety confirmation approval. GCA Korea pro...

On November 21, 2025, Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued a notification announcing a partial amendment to the Regulation on the Categories of In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices and Their Grades. The amendment establishes new classification criteria for self-testing in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) and took effect on the same day. An in vitro diagnostic medical device may be classified as self-testing if it satisfies all four of the following conditions: Need for General Public Use: The device allows non-professionals to check their own physiological condition. Ease of specimen collection: The device uses easily obtainable specimens such as saliva or urine. User-friendliness: The device is designed for use by the general public without professional knowledge, featuring easy-to-understand usage procedures. Low Risk: The device for which testing errors are unlikely to pose potential harm to individuals or public health. Note : Even if all...

On November 14, 2025, Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued an administrative notice for a proposed amendment to the Regulation on Medical Device Categories and Classification by Product Type. Public comments will be accepted until December 5, 2025. 1. New medical device subcategories: Myopia control lens Vertebral body replacement implant Fixative system for laminoplasty and laminectomy Gown, surgical Sustained release drug delivery 2.  Medical Device Reclassification : Impression, pre-treatment material, gingival retraction cord: Class II → Class I GCA Korea provides expert support for global companies navigating South 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 GCA Korea today to streamline your certification process and accelera...

On November 14, 2025, MCEE* issued a notification on the creation of a List of Products Subject to Sustainable Use under Korea’s Act on Promoting the Circular Economy Transition . The policy extends beyond requiring spare parts availability, mandating manufacturers to design products for easier repair and disclose repair information. This update aligns Korea with global “Right to Repair” initiatives in the EU and the U.S. The target products are those for which the Korea Consumer Dispute Resolution Standards stipulate a parts retention period of three years or more. Targeted categories include: Home appliances: televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, electric cooking devices, etc. Automobiles and motorcycles Boilers Office equipment, electrical and telecommunications devices, optical products Digital pianos and fitness equipment Agricultural and fishery machinery * MCEE: Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (fo...