Welcome to Dongguan Dean Testing Co., Ltd.  Hotline: 0769-81666160(Headquarters) 0769-88087383(Testing Department)

Introduction

On August 25, 2008, the South Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) announced that the National Standards Committee of Korea would implement a new national unified mark, the "KC" mark, from July 2009 to December 2010. The "KC" logo means "Korea Certification". KC certification is a mandatory safety certification system for electronic and electrical products in Korea, implemented by the Korea Institute of Technical Standards (KATS) on January 1, 2009, in accordance with the Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act.

To avoid duplicate certification, starting from July 1, 2012, EMC and Safety management will be separated. For electronic and electrical products applying for Korean certification, KC certificate and KCC certificate (new MSIP) must be obtained separately for their safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. There are two qualification certification agencies for KC certification: Korea Testing Certification (KTC) and Korea Electrical Testing Institute (KTL). These two are not only KC's certification agencies, but also qualification testing laboratories.

In terms of safety standards, all products entering the Korean market must comply with the Korean safety standard K (similar to the IEC standard), and when using the IEC standard, they must meet the requirements of Korea. National differences can be found in the announcements of the CB system of IECEE. In terms of EMC, the standards for EMI in South Korea are similar to CISPR standards, while EMS standards are similar to EN standards.

Classification of Certification Systems

Korean KC certification is divided into "KC Safety", "KC EMC and RF", and "MEPS"

（1） KC Safety

In order to prevent consumer safety accidents such as electric shock and fire, a safety management system for electrical appliances has been implemented, and only confirmed products are allowed to leave the factory and be sold. According to the latest Electrical Appliance Safety Management Law, KC Safety certification is divided into three categories based on the different levels of product hazard:

·Mandatory Safety Certification

·Self regulatory Safety Confirmation

·Supplier Self Confirmation (SDoC)

Certificate Validity Period:

1. Mandatory safety certification - None, annual review maintains validity (as shown in the template below)

2. Self regulatory safety confirmation -5 years

3. Supplier self confirmation - no certificate, confirmation letter is permanently valid

Factory inspection requirements: Mandatory safety certification requires first factory inspection and annual review

Holder requirements: Mandatory safety certification must be held by the factory, while the other two types of certification can be held by factories/manufacturers/importers.

（2） Electromagnetic compatibility&RF certification (KC EMC and RF)

Ensure that the equipment can operate normally in a certain electromagnetic environment, that is, the equipment should have a certain electromagnetic immunity (EMS); Secondly, the electromagnetic interference generated by the device itself cannot have a significant impact on other electronic products, namely electromagnetic interference (EMI).

KC EMC and KC RF certifications include electromagnetic compatibility testing, wireless RF, and telecommunications testing. According to the latest requirements of the Radio Wave Law, the certification system is divided into three categories based on the different levels of radio environmental hazards posed by products:

·Certification of Conformity

·Registration of Compatibility

·Interim of Conformity certification

（3） Energy Efficiency Rating (MEPS)

Energy efficiency level labeling is an information label that represents performance indicators such as product energy efficiency. Its purpose is to provide necessary information for users and consumers' purchasing decisions, in order to guide and assist consumers in choosing high-efficiency and energy-saving products.

Applicable product scope

The product scope of KC certification generally includes electrical products with AC voltage above 50 volts to below 1000 volts. In addition, except for products that must obtain safety certification, self regulatory safety confirmation must be applied for.

（1）  Safety certified electrical appliances (57 items)

Cables and Cords: Category 1 (wires, cables)

Electrical Switches for Electrical Appliances: Item 1 (Electrical Switches, Electrical Switches)

Capacitors&Filters: 1 item (capacitors, power filters)

Installation Accessories and Connection Devices: Item 1

Installation Protective Equipment: 2 items (small fuses and fuse clips, circuit breakers)

Household Insulated Transformers Safety Transformer and Similar Equipment: Category 2 (Small Household Transformers, Voltage Stabilizers)

Electrical Appliances for Household and Similar Equipment: 36 items (vacuum cleaners, electric irons, etc.) with a rated output power of less than 10kW, excluding explosion-proof and medical machinery use

Motor Tools: (1 item)

Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Appliance: 4 items (power supply, copier, UPS, laminating machine)

Information Technology and Office Appliances: 18 items (monitors, printers, projectors, scanners, etc.)

11. Lighting machines: 4 items

（2） Self discipline safety confirmation object product (95 items)

Switches for Electrical Appliances: Control terminals for electrical use

Household insulation transformer Safety Transformer and Similar Equipment: 2 items

Electrical Appliances for Household and Similar Equipment: 35 items with rated output power below 10kW, excluding explosion-proof and medical machinery use

Audio and video application devices: 34 items (television, video player, tuner, etc.)

Information technology and office equipment: 18 items (displays, printers, projectors, scanners, etc.)

11. Lighting machine: 5 items

Application Process

1. The customer prepares samples and materials to submit to the testing agency

2. The testing agency submits the samples and data to KTL/KTC for testing

3. KTL/KTC conducts safety testing and issues a KC test report after the testing is completed

4. For safety certification, KTL/KTC needs to arrange factory inspections and conduct annual audits thereafter

5. KTL/KTC audit report and other application documents, issue KC certificate after there are no issues

Application Materials

1. Related application forms

2. Product label

3. Product manual (Korean version)

4. Parts List

5. List of derived models

6. Circuit diagram and layout

7. Component certificate

8. Specifications for Transformers, Inductors, etc

9. CB Certificate and Report

Other

The difference between Korean KC certification and KCC certification

KCC is a mandatory certification for IT information, telecommunications, and RF wireless RF products in the Korean market, including electromagnetic compatibility testing, telecommunications testing, and wireless RF testing. The Korea Radio and Communications Commission has authorized the Korea Radio Research Institute (RRA) as the KCC certification agency. Starting from January 1, 2011, the original Korean KCC logo will be uniformly converted to KC. Therefore, KCC certification and KC certification use the same certification logo, with the difference being that the KCC ID number will be placed below the KCC certification logo.

KC nameplate requirements

The KC nameplate must include the following information:

① KC logo (including certificate number SUxxxxxxxx)

② Product name (must be expressed in Korean)

③ Model name

④ Voltage frequency

⑤ Factory name

⑥ Manufacturing country

⑦ Double insulation mark "back" (if required)

⑧ Production year and month

⑨ A/S after-sales service hotline (must be in Korea)