Automotive KC Mark and Certification

What is KC certification?

The Korea certification mark (KC) is a product safety standard in South Korea which applies to a wide range of goods and equipment, including automobile parts. OEMs and component manufacturers that intend to sell their vehicle components and equipment in the country must demonstrate KC compliance by undergoing the KC certification process. This includes facility verification, registration with the government and conformity checks.

The KC mark is a mandatory requirement for a wide variety of products sold in South Korea. Products without KC certification can be denied market access and manufacturers selling.

Before 2003, Korea initially adopted a type approval system and changed the certification process to a self-certification system. Since 2011, the Korean government
has strengthened regulations to secure product safety of automotive components. The KC Mark is thereby designed to ensure safety regulation compliance of aftermarket parts.

The list of automotive components that needs to be certified includes rear reflectors, sheets and plates, rear safety guards, brake hoses and linings, seat belts, safety tripods, glazings, reflecting bands, wheels and head lights.

Why is it important to obtain the KC Mark?

Obtaining a KC mark allows OEMs and vehicle manufacturers to access the South Korean vehicle market. Without a Korea Certification mark, you are not allowed to sell your automotive components – from wheels to seat belts to head lights – in one of the world’s leading automotive markets.

Partnering with an independent testing and certification body like us and obtaining a KC certification has valuable benefits for your business:

• Minimize risk and costs with our third-party testing and verification process, which ensures your products comply with the correct market access requirements. With this, you avoid loss of sales revenue as a result of being denied access to your customers in Korea
• Save time and receive multiple market access by receiving a one-stop shop solution. We can assess your products for multiple type approval requirements in a single, streamlined process
• Ensure market acceptance and acceptance by Korean buyers and consumers by demonstrating compliance of your automotive components with the KC requirements
• Benefit from global support by working with our experts around the world who have in-depth knowledge of the latest regulation updates, backed by our international network of accredited testing laboratories

TÜV SÜD supports the KC Certification process

TÜV SÜD has been established in South Korea since 1994 and has gained extensive knowledge and experience of the country’s automotive homologation process. We maintain an active Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) and Korea Testing Certification (KTC), and our safety and EMC testing results are recognized by KTL, KTC and KTR in support of your KC certification applications.

Our expertise and close partnership with relevant testing bodies enables us to provide our customers with an efficient KC certification process. With our network of accredited, state-of-the-art testing laboratories, we are capable of testing a wide variety of products to KC certification standard requirements, as well as other national and international regulations and standards.

The KC Certification process

TÜV SÜD’s KC type approval services

We provide a comprehensive range of services to support your application for the Korea Certification mark at our facilities in South Korea as well as through our global network of testing laboratories and homologation experts. We have extensive experience of the homologation process for all vehicle components and parts, meaning we can provide expert advice on what you need to do to obtain your KC mark in time.

Our services include:

Verification of test facilities

• Facility requirements check
• Response for government verification

Manufacturer registration

• Document preparation
• Registration to government site

Component testing support

• Component testing and analysis of test results
• Issuing of test report

Notification support

• Information check
• Notification of specification

Post-certification support

• Conformity of Production (CoP)
• Response for compliance testing
• Trainings and workshops

For any more information, or to kickstart the KC Certification process, please get in touch with us.