KC (Korea 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) under the Electrical Appliances and Life Safety Management Act.
It ensures that all electrical and electronic products entering Korea meet national safety, EMC, and energy efficiency requirements before being sold or distributed.
| Certification Dimension | Core Content & 2025 Latest Requirements |
|---|---|
| Applicable Product Range | Mandatory Certification: High-risk products, e.g., wires, power tools, home appliances (refrigerators, washing machines), industrial control systems. Voluntary Confirmation: Low-risk items like printers, scanners, or clocks. 2025 Update: Certain AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) products have been newly added to the mandatory certification list. |
| Core Test Standards | Safety: KC 62368-1 (Audio/Video and IT equipment). EMC: KC 61000 series. Energy Efficiency: Updated in 2025 for devices such as wireless chargers and commercial displays, with added standby power limits. |
| Certificate Validity Period | Unified validity period of 5 years for both mandatory and voluntary schemes. |
| Factory Audit Requirements | Mandatory: Initial factory audit + annual follow-up audits. Voluntary: No audit required. |
| Key Marking Rules | KC mark must appear on the product (format: KC:XXXX-XXXXX) with font height ≥1 mm. |
Understanding the full process ensures faster and smoother certification approval.
Prepare key documents before submission:
Korean-language user manual
Circuit diagrams & component list
At least 2 test samples (some products may require fixed-frequency software)
Tip: Translate all user and safety documents into Korean to speed up review.
Send your application and supporting materials to a Korean authorized certification body such as:
KETI (Korea Electronics Technology Institute)
KTL (Korea Testing Laboratory)
Pay the corresponding testing and application fees as quoted.
This is the core phase of certification.
Safety Tests: Insulation resistance, dielectric withstand, temperature rise, leakage current.
EMC Tests: Radiated and conducted emissions, electrostatic discharge.
Factory Audit: Required for mandatory certification; evaluates quality management and production consistency.
After successful testing and audit:
KC certificate is issued by the authorized body.
Mandatory-certified factories undergo annual follow-up audits and random product inspections to maintain certificate validity.
To ensure compliance under the latest KC framework, manufacturers must be aware of these key 2025 changes:
Smart connected products (with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or IoT functions) now require a Network Security Compliance Declaration.
Large home appliances and industrial equipment with high energy consumption may need to submit a Carbon Footprint Assessment Report.
Always select a government-designated testing body (MOTIE/KATS-approved) with KOLAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
This ensures your test reports are fully recognized by Korean authorities and international partners.
KC certification typically takes 4–8 weeks. You can shorten the process and reduce costs by:
✅ Using CB Certificates: If your product already has IEC CB certification, you can submit the report to the KC body — reducing duplicate tests by up to 50%.
✅ Preparing Korean Files Early: Having manuals and technical documents in Korean avoids translation delays.
✅ Scheduling Audits Smartly: Align audits for KC and other certifications (e.g., CB or ISO 9001) to minimize travel costs.
With Korea’s increasing focus on AIoT safety, energy efficiency, and cybersecurity, KC certification is not just a compliance formality — it’s a market access passport.
Failing to comply may result in:
Product import bans or customs detention
Delisting from e-commerce platforms
Heavy administrative penalties
At Blue Asia Technology (Shenzhen), we provide end-to-end support for KC certification, helping international manufacturers shorten testing cycles and reduce costs.
Our services include:
Full-scope testing: Safety, EMC, Energy, and Cybersecurity
Document preparation & translation (English–Korean)
Annual factory audit coordination
CB → KC conversion for faster compliance
king.guo@cblueasia.com
+86 135 3422 5140
Whether you’re certifying home appliances, lighting, or IT equipment, Blue Asia’s specialists can design a personalized certification plan for you.
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