Today, we will focus on the link where enterprises are most likely to "get stuck" and bear long-term responsibilities throughout the certification process: preparation of application materials and dynamic management of validity periods. Unlike many broad outdated lists on the market, this article will sort out a full-cycle material and maintenance guide covering "initial application – ongoing compliance" based on the latest strengthened directions of Korean official supervision in 2025.

Korea KC Mark Certification Materials

Core Principle: Preparing materials is not a simple stack of documents, but proving to the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) your ability to design, produce, and continuously ensure safe products. Material issues are the most common cause of project delays.

I. Basic and Qualification Documents

1.Application Form: Submitted by a Korean authorized representative (legal agent) – a mandatory requirement for overseas enterprises. The application must clearly specify product models, series classification, and the specific certification type applied for.

2.Business License: Copy of the applicant’s (manufacturer’s) business license.

3.Korean Power of Attorney: Official document granting legal authority from the manufacturer to the Korean agent, must be signed by the company’s legal representative and sealed with the official stamp.

4.Factory Information Documents: Including the factory’s business license and organizational chart to prove a legitimate production entity.

II. Core Technical and Product Documents (2025 Inspection Focus)

The quality of these documents directly determines the efficiency and success of technical review.

1.Complete, Professional Korean Manual and Safety Labels

·Latest Requirements: These have evolved from "formal documents" to "legal liability documents." Safety warnings in manuals must be specific, prominent, and in line with Korean consumers’ reading habits. For example, beauty devices must clearly state "not for pregnant women" and "recommended weekly usage frequency"; children’s products with detachable small parts must have warnings in prominent positions.

·Labels: Must include product name, model, input/output specifications, manufacturer information, and reserved space for the KC mark and certification number.

2.Detailed Technical Drawings

·Circuit Diagrams and PCB Layouts (Silkscreen and Solder Layers): Required to be clear and readable, with all components labeled to correspond to the bill of materials. This is the basis for inspectors to judge product safety design.

·Structural and Exploded Views: Clearly show internal structure, key safety distances (e.g., creepage distance, clearance), and housing protection methods.

3.Critical Component List (CCL) and Certification Proofs

·This is the top priority of factory inspections and market samplings in 2025. The list must include all key components affecting safety (e.g., power supplies, batteries, optocouplers, relays, switches, motors).

·For each key component, valid KC certification certificates, CB certificates (with Korean difference test reports), or other Korean-recognized international certification proofs must be provided. For lithium batteries, KC 62133 certification for cells and battery packs (e.g., capacity ≥20Wh) is almost mandatory.

4.Difference Declaration (If Applicable): If using a CB report for certification conversion, a detailed difference declaration must be submitted to clarify how the product meets Korean national difference requirements.

III. Additional Supporting Documents (Reflecting Latest Regulatory Trends)

These documents are not necessarily "mandatory," but preparing them in advance can greatly improve the pass rate and address future supervision:

1.Cybersecurity Compliance Declaration: For smart connected devices (e.g., smart home appliances, network cameras), although not fully mandatory by Korean authorities, providing a self-inspection or test declaration based on Korean or internationally recognized safety standards (e.g., IEC 62443) has become a common requirement for top certification bodies and major buyers.

2.Product Consistency Control Procedure Documents: Prove the factory has established a complete system from procurement, production to inspection to ensure mass-produced products are identical to test samples. This is key to passing factory inspections.

3.Environmental and Energy Efficiency Information: For applicable products, preparing energy efficiency test data or preliminary carbon footprint evaluation reports in advance is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage.

Korea KC Mark Certification Validity Period and Ongoing Compliance

Many enterprises mistakenly believe obtaining a certificate is a one-time effort – the biggest compliance risk. The validity period of KC certification is a "conditional term."

I. Legal Validity Period of Certificates

1.Mandatory Safety Certification:

·The certificate itself usually has a 5-year validity period.

·Core Premise: This 5-year certificate must maintain validity through annual factory follow-up inspections. If the annual inspection fails or is not conducted on time, the certificate will be suspended or revoked in the Korean official system, becoming invalid immediately even if less than 5 years old.

2.Voluntary Safety Confirmation:

·The certificate is also valid for 5 years.

·During the validity period, annual factory inspections are generally not required. However, KATS and certification bodies reserve the right to conduct market samplings. Once sampling fails, the certificate will also be revoked.

3.KC EMC and KC RF (Radio Frequency) Certification:

·These two types of certificates are usually valid long-term.

·Note: Once the corresponding safety certificate becomes invalid, or the product undergoes changes affecting EMC/RF performance (e.g., replacing the antenna, modifying the circuit), the EMC/RF certification also becomes invalid.

II. "Ongoing Compliance" Responsibilities to Maintain KC Mark Certification Validity

To retain your certificate, you must continuously fulfill the following responsibilities:

1.Accept and Pay for Annual Factory Inspections (For Mandatory Certification): Auditors will focus on:

·Control of Key Component Changes: Any changes to materials on the CCL list must be reported to the certification body in advance and approved before use. Unauthorized changes will directly invalidate the certificate.

·Authenticity of Routine Production Line Inspection Records: Whether records of withstand voltage testing, ground resistance testing, etc., are true, continuous, and traceable.

·Management of Certification Mark Usage: Check if the KC mark and number on products are correctly printed and clearly visible.

2.Respond to Market Supervision Samplings: KATS publishes a sampling plan every year. Products failing sampling will face delisting, recall, certificate revocation, and manufacturers may be included in the "enhanced supervision list," affecting certification of all subsequent products.

3.Timely Declare Significant Changes: The following changes must be notified to the certification body in writing before implementation, usually requiring re-testing or inspection:

·Design changes affecting safety, EMC, or RF performance.

·Relocation of production facilities.

·Change of Korean authorized representative.

Through this refined document and continuous supervision system, Korea KC Mark Certification screens not only safe products but also reliable, responsible long-term business partners. Thoroughly understanding and implementing the above points ensures your products thrive in the Korean market.

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