Korea KC Certification | GCA

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 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...

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 5, 2025, the MSIT* issued a notification that the Technical Standards for Charging and Data Transmission Methods for mobile and smart devices, originally scheduled to start in February 2025 but delayed, will take effect on November 6, 2026. As previously announced in 2024: The standards apply to mobile and smart devices that support wired charging or both wired charging and data transfer. Products within scope must be equipped with USB Type-C receptacle connectors compliant with the relevant specification, which will be added to the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) target items under KC EMC once the standards take effect. Covered devices include mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld game consoles, portable speakers, e-book readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation devices, earphones, and laptops. * MSIT: the Ministry of Science and ICT in Korea GCA Korea provides expert support for global companies navigating ...