South Korea’s KC (Korea Certification) mark is a mandatory product compliance requirement for many electrical, electronic, and AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) products entering the Korean market.
The KC mark ensures products meet national safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), energy efficiency, and cybersecurity standards — overseen by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS).
In 2025, major updates include:
New network security testing for connected devices
Stricter energy efficiency limits
Enhanced market supervision for imported and e-commerce goods
| Certification Dimension | Core Content & 2025 Latest Requirements |
|---|---|
| Applicable Product Range | Mandatory Certification: High-risk products (wires, power tools, home appliances, industrial control systems). Voluntary Certification: Low-risk products (printers, clocks, scanners). New in 2025: AIoT products added to the mandatory category. |
| Core Test Standards | Safety: KC 62368-1 (AV/IT Equipment). EMC: KC 61000 series. Energy Efficiency: Upgraded standards for wireless chargers & commercial displays; new standby power limits. |
| Certificate Validity | Mandatory: No fixed term, but requires annual audits & product sampling. Voluntary: Fixed 5-year validity. |
| Typical Certification Timeline | Standard: 4–8 weeks. With CB report conversion: 2–3 weeks (30–50% faster). |
Preparing complete documentation is crucial to ensure a smooth review process.
Here’s a checklist of the key documents required in 2025:
KC Application Form (choose Electrical Appliance Safety Certification or Voluntary Safety Confirmation, based on product type)
Technical Specification Sheet (must state Korean standard voltage 220V / 60Hz)
Korean User Manual — mandatory, including safety warnings and usage instructions
Circuit Diagrams & PCB Layouts
Critical Component List — indicate KC/CB-certified parts and their certification numbers
Power of Attorney (POA): Non-Korean manufacturers must appoint a Korean Authorized Representative
Test Samples: Minimum of two units required for testing
Safety & EMC Test Reports — issued by a Korean-accredited lab (KOLAS)
New 2025 Additions:
Network Security Compliance Declaration (for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or connected devices)
Carbon Footprint Assessment Report (for large, high-energy appliances)
Tip: Ensuring all materials are in Korean or bilingual format reduces back-and-forth corrections during document review.
Organize all required documentation and submit your application to a Korean authorized certification body.
Incomplete or non-Korean submissions often cause the longest delays — ensure all manuals and labels meet formatting rules upfront.
The certification body performs the following:
Safety Tests: Insulation, dielectric strength, leakage current, mechanical strength.
EMC Tests: Radiated and conducted emissions, electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Factory Audit (if mandatory):
Evaluates production capability, quality management system, and product traceability.
Required for mandatory safety certification products.
After all tests and audits are passed:
The certification body conducts a final review of reports and documentation.
The KC Certificate is issued electronically, allowing you to affix the KC mark on your products and packaging.
Average total timeline: 4–8 weeks (2–3 weeks if using CB conversion).
If your product already holds a CB Certificate and Test Report, submit it for KC conversion.
This can reduce duplicated testing and shorten approval time by up to 50%.
Errors in Korean manuals, power specifications, or label content often cause delays.
Ensure these are professionally translated and pre-reviewed by a KC expert.
Preparation quality = faster certification.
The 2025 Product Safety Investigation Plan expands inspections of imported and cross-border e-commerce goods.
Products without the KC mark or a valid local representative may face:
Customs detention
Online sales suspension
Fines and legal enforcement
Mandatory Certification: Requires annual audits and random sampling to maintain validity.
Voluntary Certification: Must be renewed every 5 years.
Changes in design or components may trigger partial re-testing.
KC certification is a continuous compliance process — not a one-time approval.
| Step | Main Task | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Document Preparation | Collect manuals, drawings, POA, and specifications | ~1 week |
| Testing & Review | Safety + EMC testing, factory audit (if required) | 2–4 weeks |
| Certificate Review | Final review & issuance | 1–2 weeks |
| Total | Full process | 4–8 weeks (2–3 weeks with CB conversion) |
At Blue Asia Technology (Shenzhen), we provide one-stop solutions for KC certification and Korean market compliance, including:
KC Safety & EMC Testing under KOLAS-recognized standards
Korean Authorized Representative service
CB → KC certificate conversion
Pre-testing and gap analysis to identify issues early
king.guo@cblueasia.com
+86 135 3422 5140
Need tailored guidance for your product category?
Request a Free KC Certification Consultation →
Our experts will provide a detailed timeline, cost estimate, and compliance roadmap within 24 hours.
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