In September 2025, the South Korean National Assembly abolished the KCC (Korea Communications Commission) and established the "Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Commission." While this did not shake the core framework of MSIP Certification, three subsequent new regulations directly changed certification processes, testing requirements, and compliance thresholds. Combining the latest official announcements, this article breaks down the core updates of MSIP Certification to help you accurately adapt to 2026 South Korean market compliance requirements.

I. Nature and Update Background of MSIP Certification

MSIP Certification (Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning Certification) focuses on regulating the "Radio Frequency (RF) performance and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of wireless communication devices." It is a mandatory access credential for wireless products in the South Korean market, running parallel to KC Certification (for safety) and MEPS Certification (for energy efficiency).

The 2025-2026 updates are not disruptive reforms but "system optimization + new regulation integration":

1.Institutional Level: The KCC was reorganized into the "Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Commission," but MSIP Certification's supervisory functions and certificate validity remain fully unchanged—old certificates do not need to be replaced.

2.Regulatory Level: In response to market changes such as the surge in AIoT devices and rising cybersecurity risks, three key requirements have been added, focusing on smart devices and cross-border e-commerce channels.

  II. Core 2025-2026 MSIP Certification Updates

1. AIoT Devices Officially Included in Mandatory Certification; Cybersecurity Becomes a Required Test Item

This is the most core update of 2025, with previously ambiguously classified smart devices now clearly defined:

·Applicable Products: AIoT devices with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/4G (e.g., smart cameras, smart sockets, Wi-Fi-enabled lighting systems) must obtain MSIP Certification starting in 2025, with additional KN18031 cybersecurity testing.

·Testing Focus: Hacker attack prevention, encrypted data transmission, and vulnerability repair response mechanisms. For example, devices must support at least 1 year of security patch updates; otherwise, applications are directly rejected.

2. RF Certification Introduces "Risk Classification"; Simplified Processes for Low-Risk Devices

New regulations effective January 2026, drawing on RRA's management logic, classify wireless devices by risk:

·High-Risk Devices (5G routers, mobile phones, base station modules): Maintain the original "full testing + annual factory inspection," with a cycle of 8-12 weeks and detailed RF parameter reports required.

·Low-Risk Devices (Bluetooth headphones, wireless keyboards, BLE sensors): Adopt the "Compatibility Registration" path, simplifying RF testing items. Some BLE modules can be exempt from full RF testing, shortening the cycle to 2-4 weeks.

·Key Reminder: 5GHz band devices still must support Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) to avoid interfering with South Korean military radar. This requirement remains unchanged, but testing accuracy has increased by 10%.

3. Doubled Supervision on Cross-Border E-Commerce; Strengthened Agent Qualification Requirements

Targeting cross-border channels such as Coupang and Gmarket, MSIP launched a "Compliance Spot Check Program" with South Korean Customs in 2025:

·Spot Check Focus: Lack of MSIP Certification, incorrect certification number format (correct format: "R-XXX-XXX-XXXXXXXX"), and inconsistencies between product and certified sample RF parameters.

·Upgraded Agent Requirements: Chinese enterprises must entrust "South Korea-locally registered agencies with KATS certification agent qualifications"; unqualified individual agents are prohibited. Agents must assume responsibilities for "certificate maintenance + spot check response" rather than merely submitting documents.

·Consequences: Unqualified spot checks result in not only detained goods but also the enterprise being listed on a "key supervision list," with 100% inspection of all products for the next year.

4. Procedural Revision of EMC Standards; Stricter Testing Details

In 2025, KATS issued Announcement 2025-402, making technical revisions to EMC standards related to MSIP:

·Core Changes: Optimized terminology definitions and unified test method descriptions (no changes to test items), but emission limit requirements for some devices are more explicit (e.g., spurious emission limits for smart devices tightened from 40dBμV/m to 36dBμV/m).

·Impact: Old EMC test reports become invalid after March 2026; new products must be tested to revised standards, otherwise, certification is rejected.

  III. 2026 MSIP Certification Compliance Practices

1. First Classify Products to Avoid Detours

Step 1: Determine if the product has wireless functionality → Yes → MSIP required.

Step 2: Determine if it is an AIoT device → Yes → Add cybersecurity testing.

Step 3: Determine risk level → Low-risk → Choose simplified path; High-risk → Reserve factory inspection time in advance.

2. Prioritize CB Report Conversion to Save Costs

If the product has passed CB Certification (covering IEC standards), directly apply for conversion to MSIP through a recognized agency to reduce 30%-50% of duplicate testing and halve the cycle. Note: The CB report must be valid and cover KN18031 cybersecurity testing (for AIoT devices).

3. Choose a "Full-Cycle Agent" to Avoid Post-Sales Risks

Avoid agents who only submit documents; prioritize partners offering these services:

·Reminders for new regulation updates (e.g., standard revisions, spot check programs).

·Annual factory inspection guidance (essential for high-risk devices).

·Spot check response support (providing compliance files and communication coordination).

  IV. Common MSIP Certification Misconceptions

1.Misconception: "Institutional reorganization requires certificate replacement."Clarification: Old MSIP certificates (including those from the former KCC era) remain valid; no reapplication is needed—only ensure products meet new testing requirements.

2.Misconception: Ignoring "cybersecurity testing."Clarification: AIoT devices undergoing only RF/EMC testing will be directly rejected—this is the most common cause of certification failure since 2025.

3.Misconception: Using unqualified agents.Clarification: Agents without KATS registration may have their certificates deemed invalid, resulting in goods being unable to clear customs.

The 2026 MSIP Certification essentially represents the South Korean market's upgraded screening of "high-quality wireless products"—cybersecurity, risk classification, and agent standardization all aim to filter low-quality, high-risk products. For Chinese enterprises, rather than focusing on "how to obtain the certificate," integrate compliance into the initial product design phase: e.g., selecting MSIP-certified RF modules and reserving development time for cybersecurity functions. This is the key to minimizing detours in cross-border competition.

BLUEASIA Technology: +86 13534225140 provides professional certification consulting services.