The core logic of 2026's MSIP Certification (implemented by South Korea's Radio Research Agency, RRA) has long evolved into a dynamic matching system based on "wireless function complexity + frequency band sensitivity + risk level." Its latest reform highlight—the "Self-Declaration of Conformity"—has opened a cost-saving and time-efficient channel for low-risk devices.

Combining RRA's 2025 Radio Equipment Conformity Assessment Rules, updates to official KS series standards, and 2026 new regulation previews, this article breaks down the "general mandatory + special additional" standard logic of MSIP Certification, clarifies compliance paths for different products, and helps you avoid testing blind spots and cognitive confusion.

I. 3 Key Boundaries of MSIP Certification

The essence of MSIP Certification is "mandatory access for wireless device Radio Frequency (RF) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)," running parallel and independent of KC Safety Certification and MEPS Energy Efficiency Certification. Clarifying the following boundaries is the foundation of compliance:

1.Regulatory Scope Boundary: Only regulates devices that "actively transmit RF signals"; pure receiving devices (e.g., ordinary FM radios) are exempt. Safety testing (e.g., insulation, voltage resistance) falls under KC Certification—MSIP does not conduct duplicate testing.

2.Standard System Boundary: Follows South Korea's KS series standards (e.g., RF testing refers to KS X 3123; EMC testing refers to KS C IEC 61000 series) rather than internal codes. The unified certification number format is "R-XXX-XXXXX" (replacing the former MSIP prefix since 2017, the only format recognized by the RRA).

3.Compliance Path Boundary: Classified by risk level into three categories—high-risk "Conformity Certification" (e.g., 5G mobile phones), medium-low risk "Compatibility Registration" (e.g., dual-band routers), and low-risk "Self-Declaration of Conformity" (e.g., low-power BLE sensors). Costs and testing requirements differ by 5x across paths.

  II. 2026 MSIP Certification Standard Items

MSIP standard items are divided into "basic items mandatory for all wireless devices" and "special additional items based on function/frequency band." Core 2025-2026 changes focus on standard updates, strengthened low-power testing, and clarified self-declaration processes.

1. General Mandatory Items: "Compliance Baseline" for All Devices (Based on Latest KS Standards)

These are fundamental MSIP requirements—failure to meet them results in direct rejection. Testing accuracy has been tightened with the 2025 KS standard update:

Radio Frequency (RF) Basic Testing (KS X 3123)

·Core tests include "transmit frequency tolerance" (differentiated limits by device type and frequency band: e.g., ±20ppm for 2.4GHz devices, ≤±10ppm for 5G devices), "Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP)" (2.4GHz ≤100mW, 5GHz indoor ≤200mW/outdoor ≤1W, 6GHz ≤250mW), and "spurious emissions" (non-essential signals in the 9kHz-400GHz band ≤-26dBm/MHz)—to avoid interfering with critical South Korean bands such as aviation and military radar.

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing (KS C IEC 61000-6-3/6-1)

·Divided into "emission testing" and "immunity testing": Emission testing measures conducted emissions (150kHz-30MHz) and radiated emissions (30MHz-6GHz), with Class B (household) devices having 5-10dB stricter limits than Class A (industrial) devices. Immunity testing includes electrostatic discharge (±8kV contact discharge) and RF field immunity (3V/m). After the 2025 KS standard update, devices with wireless charging functions require additional testing of electromagnetic radiation stability during charging to avoid interfering with surrounding wireless devices.

Label and Document Compliance

·The product itself must permanently display the "R-prefixed certification number," manufacturer information (Korean/English), and operating frequency band. Documents must include a Korean user manual (mandatorily marked with warnings such as "Prohibited use in military radar coverage areas"), an antenna gain report (issued by an RRA-recognized laboratory), and a list of key components (e.g., RF chip model and compliance certificate).

2. Special Additional Testing: Dynamic Matching by Function + Frequency Band (2026 Focus)

Special testing is the core of compliance differences between products. In 2026, the RRA strengthened requirements for 5GHz/6GHz bands and IoT devices:

Multi-Band Communication Devices (5G mobile phones, dual-band Wi-Fi routers, walkie-talkies)

·5G devices require additional "RF consistency testing" (covering South Korea's dedicated bands 3.6GHz and 28GHz, verifying power stability during multi-band switching) and "communication protocol compatibility" (supporting LTE/5G protocols of South Korean operators such as SK Telecom and KT). 5GHz devices must undergo "Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)" testing—silently monitoring for radar signals for 60 seconds before activating the channel, with switching response time meeting RRA limits.

Short-Range Wireless Devices (Bluetooth headphones, BLE sensors, wireless keyboards)

·Bluetooth devices require "frequency hopping channel integrity testing" (supporting ≥15 frequency hopping channels to avoid co-channel interference) and "RF shutdown verification in sleep mode" (RF modules must be fully powered off during BLE device sleep to prevent spurious emissions). Wireless keyboards require "multi-device connection anti-interference testing" (no delay or disconnection when connecting 3 devices simultaneously).

Internet of Things (IoT) Devices (smart water meters, LoRa modules, Wi-Fi smart sockets)

·Low-power IoT devices (e.g., smart water meters) require additional "battery-powered RF wake-up cycle testing" (power consumption ≤10μA when wake-up interval ≤1 hour). LoRa devices require "920MHz band spectrum monitoring" (South Korea's dedicated IoT band, avoiding occupation of other channels to prevent interference).

6GHz Band Devices (Wi-Fi 6E/7 routers, 6GHz IoT sensors)

·Mandatory "Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC)" testing (a mandatory requirement verifying the device's ability to collaborate with South Korean operators' spectrum databases to avoid band conflicts). This is the core threshold for 6GHz device access—failure to pass means inability to connect to South Korea's public networks.

3. 2026 New Regulation Preview: SAR Standard Update (Key for Body-Worn Devices)

Starting April 1, 2026, South Korea will officially implement the new KS C 3350 standard, replacing the old Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing requirements. Applicable to body-worn wireless devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth headphones, and smart watches:

·New Requirements: 1g tissue average SAR value ≤1.6W/kg, with more detailed testing scenarios (e.g., simulating different wearing tightness for smart watches).

·Impact: Existing relevant products must complete standard updates before April 2026; otherwise, certificates will become invalid, and sales in South Korea will be prohibited.

  III. 2026 MSIP Certified Product Classification

Unlike rough category lists on the market, the following classification by "risk level + compliance path" clarifies key testing items and considerations for each product, facilitating quick positioning:

1. Low-Risk Devices (Compliance Path: Self-Declaration of Conformity)

·Representative Products: Low-power BLE sensors (e.g., temperature and humidity sensors), wireless keyboards, ordinary Bluetooth headphones (2.4GHz only).

·Core Testing Items: RF basic testing, EMC basic testing, Bluetooth frequency hopping channel integrity (for Bluetooth devices only).

·Key Advantages: No third-party laboratory testing required—enterprises can complete testing independently and submit declaration documents. Cycle: 2-3 weeks; Cost: Only 5,000-10,000 RMB.

·Application Conditions: Must meet "power ≤10mW, single band only, no complex modulation functions," and enterprises must establish a sound quality management system (e.g., ISO 9001) subject to random RRA spot checks.

·Common Misconception: "Self-declaration = no testing." In reality, enterprises must retain complete test data—failure in spot checks will result in revocation of declaration qualifications and a 1-year ban on applications.

2. Medium-Risk Devices (Compliance Path: Compatibility Registration)

·Representative Products: Dual-band (2.4G+5G) Wi-Fi routers, wireless cameras, LoRa IoT modules.

·Core Testing Items: Full RF testing (including 5GHz DFS), full EMC testing, multi-band switching stability (for routers only), LoRa band spectrum monitoring (for LoRa devices only).

·Certification Cycle: 6-8 weeks, requiring third-party laboratory test reports and RRA sampling review.

·Key Reminder: Wi-Fi routers missing 5GHz DFS testing will be directly rejected—retesting costs an additional 10,000 RMB and extends the cycle by 2 weeks.

3. High-Risk Devices (Compliance Path: Conformity Certification)

·Representative Products: 5G mobile phones, 5G CPE, walkie-talkies, satellite communication terminals.

·Core Testing Items: Full RF testing (including multi-band compatibility), full EMC testing, RF consistency, communication protocol compatibility, SAR testing (for body-worn devices).

·Certification Cycle: 8-12 weeks, requiring third-party laboratory test reports + factory inspection (for initial certification).

·Special Requirements: Must simultaneously provide KC Safety Certification—otherwise, MSIP will not issue a certificate. After April 2026, SAR testing updates per KS C 3350 are required.

4. Innovative Devices (Compliance Path: Temporary Conformity Certification)

·Representative Products: 6GHz IoT sensors, UWB positioning tags.

·Core Testing Items: RF basic testing (per RRA temporary standards), EMC basic testing, band occupancy testing.

·Certification Cycle: 10-14 weeks, requiring RRA expert review. Certificate validity: 1 year—retesting to formal standards is required before expiration.

The essence of MSIP Certification is not "how many tests to conduct" but "choosing the right compliance path"—low-risk devices use self-declaration to save costs, medium-high risk devices match testing items by function, and innovative devices use temporary certification for transition. 2026 new regulations (SAR standard update, mandatory AFC) further refine requirements but also open market space for compliant enterprises.

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