KC certification is the mandatory safety certification system for electrical and electronic products in the South Korean market, implemented by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) pursuant to the Electrical Appliances Safety Management Act.
| Certification Dimension | Core Content & 2025 Latest Requirements |
| Applicable Product Range | ·Mandatory Certification: Applicable to high-risk products, such as wires & cables, power tools, home appliances (refrigerators, washing machines), industrial control equipment, etc. Some AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) devices were newly added to the mandatory certification scope in 2025. ·Voluntary Confirmation: Applicable to low-risk products, such as printers, electric clocks, scanners, etc. |
| Core Test Standards | ·Safety Standards: e.g., KC 62368-1 (Safety requirements for audio/video equipment). ·Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): KC 61000 series. ·Energy Efficiency Requirements:Starting 2025, energy efficiency standards for some products (e.g., wireless charging devices, commercial displays) have been upgraded, and standby power consumption limits have been added. |
| Certificate Validity Period | ·The certificate has a unified validity period of 5 years. |
| Factory Audit Requirements | ·Mandatory Certification: Requires initial factory audit and annual follow-up audits. ·Voluntary Confirmation: No factory audit required. |
| Key Marking Requirements | ·The KC mark must be affixed on the product (format: `KC:XXXX-XXXXX`), with a font height **not less than 1 mm. |
Beyond the basic information in the table, some processes and details require your special attention.
KC Safety Certification Process and Key Details:
1.Material Preparation: This is the starting point for certification. Technical documents you need to prepare include a Korean user manual, circuit diagrams, component list, etc. Simultaneously, you need to provide at least 2 test samples; some products may require supporting fixed-frequency software.
2.Submit Application: Submit the application and pay fees to a Korean authorized certification body (e.g., KETI, KTL).
3.Testing & Audit: This is the core link. The laboratory conducts safety tests (e.g., insulation, withstand voltage test) and EMC tests. For mandatory certification products, a factory audit is also mandatory to assess production facilities and the quality control system.
4.Certification Issuance & Ongoing Compliance: After passing the audit, the body issues the KC certificate. Please note that mandatory certification products require annual factory audits and product sampling inspections to maintain certificate validity.
⚠️2025 New Rules and Important Reminders:
To ensure your product passes certification smoothly, pay special attention to the following latest developments and requirements:
1.Updated Document Requirements: According to 2025 new rules, some products may need to submit additional declarations or reports. For example, smart devices with networking functions like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth may need to provide a network security compliance declaration. Additionally, some high-energy-consumption products (e.g., large home appliances) may be required to submit a carbon footprint assessment report.
2.Choose a Compliant Laboratory: When selecting a test laboratory, it is recommended to prioritize those formally designated by the Korean government (e.g., MOTIE/KATS) and possessing KOLAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, which effectively ensures the authority and acceptance of the test report.
3.Optimization Strategies to Control Cost & Timeline:
·Leverage Existing Reports: If your product has already passed the internationally recognized CB Certification, you can present the CB certificate and test report to the KC certification body. This may reduce approximately 30%-50% of duplicate test items, thereby lowering costs and shortening the timeline.
·Pay Attention to Audit Cycle: The conventional certification cycle is 4-8 weeks. When preparing documents, ensure technical files (especially the manual) include a Korean version, which helps shorten regulatory review time.
We hope this overview of KC safety certification helps you better plan and execute certification matters. If you can share more specific product types (e.g., home appliances, lamps, or IT equipment), BLUEASIA Tech: 13534225140 will provide professional certification consulting services!
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