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Showing posts with the label ProductSafety

OVERSEAS E-COMMERCE ALERT: 9% of Products Fail KC Safety Standards

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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...

Korea Revises Standards for Handling Nonconformity with Electrical Appliance Safety Standards, Effective November 2025

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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...

Korea Orders Recall of Unsafe Children’s Products Over Hazardous Substance Violations

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KATS* conducted safety inspections on 1,100 products identified as having high noncompliance rates or frequent safety incidents. As a result, the agency ordered recalls for 63 products that failed to meet national safety standards.   Among the recalled products, children’s items accounted for 42 cases, the largest portion of the total, including children’s textiles with unsafe cords or drawstrings and toys containing excessive levels of lead, preservatives, and boron.   Under the Special Act on the Safety of Children’s Products, children’s goods in Korea are managed under three categories: safety certification, safety confirmation, and supplier’s declaration of conformity (SDoC). Even certified products face routine inspections to ensure continued compliance. Noncompliant products may face recalls, sales bans, or corrective orders.   * KATS: Korean Agency for Technology and Standards   GCA KOREA provides a comprehensive one-stop service covering impor...

Revised 34 Electrical Appliance Safety Standards Announced in South Korea (October 2025)

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This notification takes effect on October 27, 2025. On October 27, 2025, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) announced the revision of 34 electrical product safety standards, effective immediately. Revised 34 Electrical Appliance Safety Standards KC 60335-2-10  Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety Part 2-10: Particular requirements for floor treatment machines and wet scrubbing machines KC 60335-2-16  Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-16: Particular requirements for food waste disposers KC 60335-2-21  Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-21: Particular requirements for storage water heaters KC 60335-2-24  Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-24: Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice makers KC 60335-2-28  Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-28: Particular...

Children’s Furniture Safety Standards to Be Revised in South Korea

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On October 16, 2025, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced a proposed amendment to Annex 14 (Children’s Furniture) of the Safety Confirmation Targeted Children’s Products with Individual Safety Standards. The revision aims to update relevant standards, correct typographical errors, and refine the wording and structure of safety criteria for children’s furniture. Key Amendments: Standards update: Removing outdated citations and revising standard titles to reflect current versions. Error corrections: Aligning terminology with other safety standards and clarifying wording. Individuals, companies, or organizations wishing to comment are invited to submit opinions to the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) by November 7, 2025. GCA Korea provides expert support for global companies navigating South Korea’s regulatory requirements. Our specialties include  KC EMC ,  KC Safety ,  KC Energy Efficiency ,  KC Automotive...