South Korea Market Access for Electrical and R&TT Products

The general regulatory framework applicable for import of electrical and electronic products to South Korea is based on Safety, EMC, Telecom, Energy Efficiency Approvals, and RoHS requirements.

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) is a National Standards Body of the Republic of Korea. It is responsible for the harmonization of Korean Industrial Standards (KS) with international standards, management of the national legal metrology system, and accreditation of certification bodies and testing laboratories.

In 2009, Korean authorities initiated a new certification system “KC” (Korea Certification) for electronic and electrical products which has become a mandatory accreditation system. To obtain the “KC” Mark—a mandatory mark issued by an accredited body,products that are in the scope of the KC system must fulfill:

Safety requirements (KC Safety)

Radiofrequency requirements (KC RF)

Electromagnetic compatibility testing (KC EMC)

Once a product has received the KC approval, the KC Mark and identification mark must be printed on the product.

Example of the KC Mark:

According to Rule 2018-13, the new Identification mark format is R-CS-ABC-XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. This rule will have a transition period until June 30, 2019.