Compliance Statement: This document is compiled based on Radio Research Agency (RRA) Announcement No. 2025-44 on the SAR standard, revised content of the KS X 3123 RF testing standard, and practical cases of 12 cross-border enterprises in 2025. All core rules are derived from official public documents of RRA and the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), with no subjectively inferred mandatory clauses. All timelines and standard requirements are supported by authoritative sources.
In April 2025, a Shenzhen-based consumer electronics manufacturer shipped products after only completing KCC RF certification to meet a South Korean new product launch deadline, resulting in 5,000 units being detained at Incheon Port for one month due to the lack of KC safety certification. In June of the same year, a Dongguan-based low-power Bluetooth sensor manufacturer completed filing within 10 days and successfully entered the market via RRA’s newly launched self-compliance verification pathway. These two vastly different outcomes reflect the core changes in South Korea’s wireless RF product market access in 2025: RRA’s optimization of certification systems has been fully implemented, creating convenient pathways for low-risk products while strengthening dual compliance requirements for high-risk ones. This guide breaks down actionable compliance pathways across four dimensions: clarifying system boundaries, core new regulatory points, product-specific adaptation plans, and practical risk avoidance.
The biggest compliance pitfall in the industry in 2025 remains confusing the two certification systems: KCC and KC. The two systems operate independently but are deeply interconnected; wireless RF products must meet both to enter the South Korean market. In 2025, KATS has explicitly mandated data synchronization and verification requirements between the two systems.
KCC Certification is overseen by the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) and its subordinate Radio Research Agency (RRA). Its core focus is regulating the RF characteristics of wireless devices—including frequency adaptation, power limits, and spurious emissions—to prevent interference with South Korea’s domestic communication networks, with the KS X 3123 standard as the core testing benchmark. KC Certification, led by the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), focuses on product safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), energy efficiency, and cybersecurity for network-connected devices. The newly added KN18031 standard in 2025 falls under the KC system’s cybersecurity requirements and has no direct connection to KCC RF certification.
Regarding marking requirements, official regulations in 2025 specify that wireless devices must ultimately bear a unified KC mark, which integrates KCC RF certification number information. Some e-commerce platforms also require the KCC ID to be displayed on product packaging or manuals to verify RF compliance. In Q2 2025, three enterprises were ordered to remove products from shelves for only displaying the KC mark without linking the KCC ID.
II. Core 2025 KCC Certification Updates: 3 Implemented System Optimizations
RRA’s 2025 adjustments to wireless RF certification are generally positioned as “process optimization and standard upgrades” rather than a “complete overhaul of certification logic.” All core changes are supported by official announcements, with no unified “effective date for the new system”; each update was rolled out in phases:
1. Self-Compliance Verification Pathway for Low-Risk Devices (Implemented in April 2025)
This is the most enterprise-friendly adjustment in the 2025 new regulations. RRA specifies that low-risk products with transmit power ≤10mW—such as BLE 5.3 and above devices, NFC tags, and smart home micro-sensors—do not require third-party laboratory testing. Enterprises can complete self-testing in accordance with the KS X 3123 standard, then submit self-test reports and compliance commitments to finish filing in the RRA system.
The advantages of this pathway are significant: the certification cycle is reduced from the standard 4–6 weeks to 1–2 weeks, testing costs are cut by over 60%, and there is no need to pay third-party laboratory service fees. From April to October 2025, over 200 enterprises have completed filing for low-power devices via this pathway, with cross-border enterprises accounting for 45% of that total. However, it should be noted that self-compliance does not mean “no supervision”; RRA conducts random market spot checks on filed products. In 2025, five enterprises had their filings revoked and were blacklisted for falsifying self-test data.
2. EMC Standards Aligned with International Norms, Specialized Testing Added for 6GHz Devices
In January 2025, KATS updated the EMC standard under the KC system to KN 32 (replacing the old KN 22). KCC RF certification now also requires wireless devices to meet this EMC standard, forming a “RF + EMC” linked testing framework.
Requirements for 6GHz band devices (e.g., WiFi 6E/7 routers) are the most stringent:
·First, they must pass Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) testing, which requires identifying and avoiding South Korea’s meteorological radar and air traffic control radar signals within 200ms. The industry’s initial pass rate in 2025 was only 40%.
·Second, the spurious emission limit for the 6GHz band has been tightened from -36dBm (old standard) to -40dBm/Hz, imposing higher requirements on device filter design. A router manufacturer increased its pass rate to 92% by proactively adopting MediaTek’s MT7922 chip (which has a built-in DFS algorithm adapted to South Korean radar signals).
In addition, South Korea’s 2025 adaptation requirements for the civilian 5GHz band have been clarified: only three frequency ranges are open (5150–5350MHz, 5460–5725MHz, 5725–5825MHz), while the 5350–5460MHz band (exclusive to military use) is strictly prohibited for civilian devices. In 2025, two batches of cross-border devices were directly detained by customs for violating frequency band regulations.
3. Advance Notice of 2026 SAR New Standard, Preparations Possible in 2025
In June 2025, RRA issued Announcement No. 2025-44 to solicit public opinions on the revised draft of the SAR testing standard, specifying that starting April 1, 2026, all wireless devices used in close contact with the human body (e.g., smartwatches, Bluetooth headsets) must complete SAR testing in accordance with the new KS C3350 standard.
The core change of this standard is the adoption of a unified East Asian human model (adapted to the physical parameters of the South Korean population) to replace the previously mixed European and American models, ensuring test data is more aligned with South Korean users’ body characteristics. While not yet mandatory in 2025, leading enterprises have already initiated testing to avoid certification backlogs during the 2026 transition period. Notably, SAR testing falls under the scope of KC safety certification, and test data must be synchronized to the KCC RF certification filing system. Any data conflicts between the two will trigger manual review.
III. 2025 KCC Certification Adaptation Plans for Different Product Categories
In 2025, RRA has distinct certification requirements for wireless products of different risk levels. Accurately matching the product type can significantly reduce compliance costs:
1. Low-Power Bluetooth/NFC Devices (BLE 5.3, NFC Tags)
These products can directly use the self-compliance verification pathway. Two key points to note in practice:
·During self-testing, ensure coverage of RF stability under South Korea’s 220V/60Hz power grid conditions to avoid power fluctuations due to voltage adaptation issues.
·Retain complete self-test records, including test equipment calibration certificates and environmental parameter logs. RRA requires these documents to be kept for 10 years for inspection purposes.
2. WiFi 6E/7 Routers (6GHz Band)
This category is classified as high-risk and requires full KCC+KC dual certification:
·First, select an RRA-accredited local South Korean laboratory (e.g., KTL, KTC) to complete combined RF and EMC testing. Overseas laboratory reports must be verified by local laboratories before they can be used.
·Second, confirm the chip’s 6GHz band adaptation capability in advance. Prioritize chip modules that have passed both the KS X 3123 and KN 32 standards to shorten the certification cycle by 30%.
3. 5G Communication Devices (Sub-6GHz Modules, CPE Terminals)
KCC certification for 5G devices focuses on frequency band adaptation. In 2025, South Korea only opens three civilian 5G bands (n28, n78, n79), with millimeter-wave bands not yet available for civilian use. Meanwhile, if such devices have network connectivity functions, they must complete KN18031 cybersecurity testing as part of the KC certification process to verify support for the TLS 1.3 encryption protocol and WPA3 security standard. This testing is a requirement of the KC system and has no direct connection to KCC RF certification.
4. Smart Wearables (Smartwatches, Wristbands)
In addition to regular KCC RF certification, enterprises need to prepare in advance for the 2026 KS C3350 SAR new standard. In 2025, testing can be completed in accordance with current standards with room reserved for future upgrades. Furthermore, RF performance under charging conditions must be tested separately. In 2025, a brand experienced a 2-week product launch delay after its certification was rejected for failing to conduct this test.
IV. 2025 Certification Practical Risk Avoidance: 4 High-Frequency Compliance Pitfalls
1. Pitfall: Shipping After Completing Only KCC or KC Certification
In 2025, 83% of wireless devices detained by customs were missing one of the two certifications. Cross-border enterprises must develop a dual compliance plan before initiating certification, and prioritize selecting institutions with both KCC and KC testing qualifications to achieve “one-time sample submission, simultaneous dual certification” and avoid wasting time on repeated testing.
2. Pitfall: Low-Risk Devices Taking the Standard Certification Path
Some enterprises are unaware of the self-compliance verification pathway and still commission third-party testing for low-power Bluetooth devices, increasing costs and extending cycles. It is recommended to first check the List of Low-Risk Wireless Devices on the RRA official website to confirm product classification before selecting a certification pathway.
3. Pitfall: Classifying Cybersecurity Testing Under KCC Certification
In 2025, multiple enterprises wasted costs by conducting additional TLS 1.3 testing during the KCC certification process. It is critical to clarify that KN18031 cybersecurity testing is a requirement of the KC system for network-connected devices, only mandatory for networked terminals such as 5G CPEs and smart routers—pure RF devices do not need this test.
4. Pitfall: Failing to Report Product Changes After Certification
In October 2025, a smart speaker manufacturer replaced its Bluetooth chip without reapplying for KCC certification, resulting in its products being forcibly removed from South Korean e-commerce platforms and direct losses exceeding CNY 2 million. RRA explicitly requires that any changes to core parameters such as RF modules or frequency ranges must be submitted for re-evaluation within 30 days; otherwise, the certification will be automatically invalidated.
The core of South Korea’s wireless RF KCC certification in 2025 has shifted from “simply completing testing” to “accurately matching new regulations + dual system linkage.” For cross-border enterprises, clarifying system boundaries, selecting the right certification pathway, and proactively planning for forward-looking standards are the keys to achieving low-cost and efficient compliance. BLUEASIA (+86 13534225140) provides professional certification consulting services.
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