Korean KC Certification For Products In The Korean Market

Certification introduction
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) of South Korea announced on August 25, 2008 that the Korean National Standards Committee will implement a new national unified logo, the "KC" logo, from July 2009 to December 2010. The "KC" logo means "Korea Certification". KC certification is the Korean electronic and electrical appliance safety certification system. It is the Korean Institute of Technical Standards (KATS) in accordance with the "Electrical Appliances Safety Management Act" (ELECTRIC APPLIANCES SAFETY CONTROL ACT) The compulsory safety certification system was implemented on January 1, 2009.

In order to avoid repeated certification, EMC and Safety will be managed separately from July 1, 2012. All electronic and electrical products applying for Korean certification must obtain KC certificates and KCCs respectively for their safety (Safety) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. Certificate (new MSIP). There are two qualification certification agencies certified by KC: Korea Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics Testing Institute (KTC, Korea Testing Certification), and Korea Industrial Technology Testing Institute (KTL, Korea Electrical Testing Institute). These two are not only KC’s certification agencies, but also qualification testing laboratories.

In terms of safety standards, all products entering the Korean market need to comply with the Korean safety standard K standard (similar to the IEC standard). When using the IEC standard, the Korean requirements must be met. National differences can be found in the announcements in the IECEE CB system. In terms of EMC, the Korean EMI standard is similar to the CISPR standard, and the EMS standard is similar to the EN standard.

Certification system classification
Korean KC certification is divided into "KC Safety", "KC EMC and RF" and "MEPS"
(1) KC Safety
In order to prevent consumer safety accidents such as electric shock and fire, an electrical appliance safety management system has been implemented. Only confirmed products are allowed to leave the factory and be sold. The latest "Electrical Appliances Safety Management Law" requires that KC Safety certification is divided into three categories according to the different hazard levels of products:
· Mandatory safety certification (Safety Certification)
· Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation
· Supplier Self-Confirmation (SDoC)

Certificate validity period:
1. Mandatory safety certification-----None, annual review maintains validity (template below)
2. Self-discipline safety confirmation-----5 years
3. Supplier self-confirmation-----no certificate, the confirmation is permanently valid
Factory inspection requirements: Compulsory safety certification requires first factory inspection and annual inspection
Certificate holder requirements: Compulsory safety certification must be held by the factory, and factories/manufacturers/importers of the other two certification types can hold certificates.

(2) Electromagnetic compatibility & RF radio frequency certification (KC EMC and RF)
Ensure that the equipment can work normally in a certain electromagnetic environment, that is, the equipment should have a certain degree of electromagnetic immunity (EMS); secondly, the electromagnetic disturbance generated by the equipment itself cannot have an excessive impact on other electronic products, that is, the electromagnetic interference Harassment (EMI).

KC EMC and KC RF certification include electromagnetic compatibility testing, radio frequency and telecommunications testing. According to the latest "Radio Wave Law" requirements, the certification system is divided into three categories according to the different levels of product hazards to the radio environment:

· Certification of Conformity
·Registration of Compatibility
· Interim of Conformity

(3) Energy efficiency level (MEPS)

The energy efficiency grade label is an information label that indicates product energy efficiency and other performance indicators. The purpose is to provide necessary information for users and consumers to make purchasing decisions, so as to guide and help consumers choose high-energy-efficiency and energy-saving products.

Applicable product range
The product range of KC certification generally includes electrical products with AC voltages above 50 volts and below 1000 volts. In addition, in addition to products that must obtain safety certification, self-regulatory safety confirmation must be applied for.

(1). Safety certified electrical supplies (57 items)

Cables and Cords: 1 item (wires, cables)

Electrical switches Switches for Electrical Appliances: 1 item (electrical switches, electrical switches)

Capacitors & Filters: Item 1 (Capacitors, Power Filters)

Installation Accessories and Connection Devices: Item 1

Electrical protective components Installation Protective Equipment: Item 2 (small fuses and fuse clips, circuit breakers)

Household Insulation Transformer Safety Transformer and Similar Equipment: Item 2 (Small Household Transformer, Voltage Stabilizer)

Electrical Appliances for Household and Similar Equipment: Item 36 (vacuum cleaners, electric irons, etc.) rated output power below 10kW, excluding explosion-proof and medical machinery

Motor Tools: (1 item)

Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Appliance: 4 items (power supply, copier, UPS, laminating machine)

IT and Office Appliances: 18 items (monitors, printers, projectors, scanners, etc.)

11. Lighting equipment Lighting: 4 items

(2) Products subject to self-regulatory safety confirmation (95 items)

Switches for Electrical Appliances: Electrical control terminals

Household Insulation Transformer Safety Transformer and Similar Equipment : 2 items

Electrical Appliances for Household and Similar Equipment: 35 items Rated output power below 10kW, excluding explosion-proof and medical machinery

Audio and video application equipment: 34 items (TVs, video players, tuners, etc.)

Information technology and office equipment: 18 items (monitors, printers, projectors, scanners, etc.)

11. Lighting equipment Lighting: 5 items

 Application process
1. The customer prepares samples and materials and submits them to the testing agency
2. The testing agency submits the samples and materials to KTL/KTC for testing
3. KTL/KTC conducts safety testing and issues a KC test report after the test is completed.
4. (If any) For safety certification, KTL/KTC needs to arrange factory inspections, and conduct annual factory audits every year thereafter.
5. KTL/KTC audit report and other application documents. If there are no problems, a KC certificate will be issued.
 

Application materials
1. Relevant application forms
2. Product label
3. Product manual (Korean version)
4. Parts list
5. List of derived models
6. Circuit diagram and layout
7. Parts certificate
8. Specifications for transformers, inductors, etc.
9. CB certificate and report