KC Certification

Certification Introduction

KC (Korea Certification) certification, formerly known as EK certification, is a safety certification system for electrical and electronic appliances in Korea, i.e. KC mark certification, which is a mandatory safety certification system implemented by the Korea Advanced Technology and Standards Institute (KATS) in accordance with the ELECTRIC APPLIANCES SAFETY CONTROL ACT on January 1, 2009. The KC mark certification is a mandatory safety certification system implemented by KATS on January 1, 2009 in accordance with the ELECTRIC APPLIANCES SAFETY CONTROL ACT.

In order to avoid duplication of certification, from July 1, 2012, EMC and Safety are managed separately, and all electrical and electronic products applying for Korean certification must obtain KC certificate and KCC certificate (new MSIP) respectively for their Safety and EMC requirements. KTC, Korea Testing Certification), Korea Industrial Technology Testing Institute (KTL, Korea Electrical Testing Institute). These two are not only the issuing organizations of KC, but also the qualification testing laboratories.

In terms of safety standards, all products entering the Korean market need to comply with the Korean safety standard K standard (similar to IEC standards), and must meet the Korean requirements matters when using IEC standards, and national differences can be found in the announcement in the CB system of IECEE. in terms of EMC, the Korean EMI standard is similar to the CISPR standard, and the EMS standard is similar to the EN standard.

According to the latest "Electrical Appliance Safety Management Law" requirements, according to the different levels of product hazards, KC certification is divided into mandatory safety certification, self-regulatory safety certification and supplier self-confirmation, of which mandatory safety certification control of products with higher hazards, supplier self-confirmation control of products with lower hazards.

Product Range

KC certified products generally range from AC 50 volts and above to electrical products below 1000 volts:
1.Cords, Cables and Cord set
2.Switches for Electrical Appliances
3.Capacitors or filters as components for power supply unit
4.Installation Accessories and Connection Devices
5.Installation Protective Equipment
6.Safety Transformer and Similar Equipment
7.Household and Similar Equipment Appliances
8.Motor Tools
9.Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Appliances
10.IT and Office Appliances
11.Lightings
12.Appliance with Power Supply or Charger

Application Process

1.Customer prepares samples and submits information to GIG
2.GIG submits samples and information to KTL/KTC for testing
3.KTL/KTC will conduct safety test and issue KC test report after the test is completed
4.(If any) for safety certification, KTL/KTC need to arrange factory inspection and subsequent annual factory audit
5.KTL/KTC audit report and other application documents, no problem after the issuance of KC certificate

Certification Mark

KC nameplate must include the following contents.
 ①KC logo (with certificate number SUxxxxxxxx)
 ②Product name (must be expressed in Korean)
 ③Model name
 ④Voltage and frequency
 ⑤ Factory name
 ⑥Country of manufacture
 ⑦Double insulation mark "back" (if necessary)
 ⑧Year and month of production
 ⑨A/S after-sales service phone number (must be in Korea)

Other Information

Technical information: voltage frequency 110V/220V/380V, 60Hz or 50Hz/60Hz, plug KSC8305
Whether mandatory: mandatory
Certificate validity.
1. Mandatory safety certification -----None, annual review to maintain the validity (template below)
2. Self-regulatory safety confirmation -----5 years
3. Supplier self-confirmation----- No certificate, confirmation of permanent validity
Factory inspection requirements: mandatory safety certification requires the first factory inspection and annual audit
Licensee requirements: mandatory safety certification must be factory-holding, the other two types of certification factory/manufacturer/importer can hold a certificate.