South Korea

Capitalise on the market opportunities in South Korea

Korea

TÜV SÜD supports manufacturers in meeting Korean regulatory requirements and accessing the Korean market through its recognized safety and EMC testing capabilities.

As an MOU partner of Korean certification bodies, including Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), TÜV SÜD test reports are accepted by the respective Korean certification bodies for the issuance of KC certification.

In addition, TÜV SÜD Canada and TÜV SÜD America are recognized as MRA-designated Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) for EMC and RF testing. TÜV SÜD laboratories in Germany and Italy are also registered as Conformity Assessment Bodies under the applicable FTA framework, enabling EMC testing to be conducted locally and the resulting test reports to be used for Korean EMC certification. This allows manufacturers to leverage TÜV SÜD’s global testing network to efficiently meet Korean regulatory requirements.

With extensive technical expertise and in-depth regulatory knowledge, TÜV SÜD provides a trusted one-stop solution for accessing the Korean market.

Click on the categories below for market access information

Electrical Safety and EMC

Regulatory agency

Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS)

Regulations

All products subject to legally compulsory certification are required to affix the KC Mark.

Products are categorised into 2 groups:

Type 1 products require certification by a designated CB.
Type 2 products fall under a self-regulatory safety confirmation scheme.
Compliance with K standards.

EMC:

EMC compliance is required for the above, where applicable.

Guidelines

Certification procedure for Type 1 products:

Submission of application along with other essential documents.
Factory inspection.
Product testing.
Issuance of certificate by the designated CB.
Compliance procedure for Type 2 is the same except that the factory inspection is exempted and a Confirmation Letter of Declaration is needed in place of certification.

Applicable product categories

Only electrical apparatus using AC 50V up to 1000V are subject to KC Mark certification. Product categories (may consist both Type 1 & 2) requiring KC Mark include:

Audio, video and similar electronic appliances
Cables and cords
Capacitors or filters as components for power supply units
Household and similar electrical appliances
Installation accessories and connection devices
Installation protective equipment
IT and office appliances
Lighting
Motor tools
Safety transformers and similar equipment
Switches for electrical appliances

To determine if a particular product is subject to the above regulations, please contact us.

Telecom & Wireless

Regulatory agency

National Radio Research Agency (RRA)

Regulations

Applicable products are required to be certified and affixed with the KC Mark.
Type approval is required for terminal equipment. For radio facilities and equipment, it is necessary to obtain either type verification or type registration depending on the product. Type verification test should only be conducted by the Radio Research Agency (RRA).
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) with KS C 3350 is mandatory for wireless communication devices (4 MHz to 10 GHz) which used near the human body, including portable transmitting wireless devices.
EMC registration is required for IT equipment.

Guidelines

A local representative is required.

KC Mark procedure:

Apply for testing at designated test laboratory
Apply for certification
Submit essential documents
Obtain certification
Affix KC Mark on product

Applicable product categories

To determine if a particular product is subject to the above regulations, please contact us.

Environmental - Energy Efficiency

Regulatory agency

Korea Energy Agency (KEA)

Regulations

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) is mandatory energy efficient standards system developed to promote energy conservation. The products that do not meet MEPS are banned from production and sales. Non-compliance of this system would result in penalties.
The devices that are automatically switched to energy saving mode, minimises standby power and meet the standby power reduction standards are allowed to bear energy saving label. Those that do not meet the standards must bear warning labels.
High-efficiency Appliance Certification is for products that meet certain level of energy efficiency standard. This program is on a voluntary basis and aims to develop energy efficiency technology and to promote high-efficiency equipment.

Guidelines

Testing for energy efficiency labelling must be performed by designated test laboratories, mostly in-country.
Reporting should be made to KEA.

Applicable product categories

To determine if a particular product is subject to the above regulations, please contact us.

Environmental - WEEE and RoHS

Regulatory agency

Ministry of Environment (MOE)

Regulations

Compliance based on the Act on the Recycling of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Automobiles.
Notification is required.

Guidelines

There is a regulated recycling ratio and listed banned hazardous substances.
Similar to European WEEE, RoHS and ELV.

Applicable product categories

To determine if a particular product is subject to the above regulations, please contact us.

Plug Types

Type C	Type F

Why choose TÜV SÜD

TÜV SÜD has the expertise and laboratory infrastructure to support manufacturers in obtaining the necessary approvals and compliance in accordance with South Korean standards and requirements. TÜV SÜD test reports are accepted for safety approval and recognised by relevant authorities internationally. We also support manufacturers in obtaining voluntary endorsement labels.