KC Certification (Korea Certification)
KC Certification is Korea’s integrated national certification mark, introduced to bring together 13 statutory compulsory certification marks that had previously been operated separately by ministries including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Communications Commission. It is an essential process for products manufactured, imported and distributed in Korea.
1. Key Categories of KC Certification
Products are broadly divided into three stages according to the level of hazard, or risk. The higher the risk, the more stringent the procedure.
| Category | Risk Level | Main Procedure | Examples |
|---|
| Safety Certification | High | Product testing + factory audit, with periodic inspection every two years | Wires, cords, electrical appliance parts, pressure cookers and related products |
| Safety Confirmation | Medium | Product testing, with factory audit omitted | Electric water heaters, monitors, toys, school supplies and related products |
| Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity | Low | Self-testing by the manufacturer or importer | Audio equipment, video equipment, lighting devices, clothing and related products |
Note: Products with electromagnetic-risk factors, including computers and communications equipment, must separately undergo the Conformity Assessment of Broadcasting and Communications Equipment, commonly referred to as electromagnetic compatibility certification, under the authority of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
2. Main Product Groups Subject to Certification
Electrical Appliances
Home appliances, power tools, lighting and other products with fire or electric-shock risks
Household Goods
Automotive accessories, gas lighters, climbing ropes and related products
Children’s Products
Toys and clothing for children aged 13 or younger, subject to the strictest controls
3. Certification Procedure: General Process
01. Scope CheckConfirm certification category
02. Test ApplicationSubmit samples to designated body
03. Product TestingTest against safety standards
04. Factory AuditReview quality system
05. Certificate IssueAssign certification number
06. MarkingApply required information
4. Important Precautions
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Sale without certification: Selling products without the KC mark, or falsely displaying it, may result in criminal penalties, including fines or imprisonment, as well as orders for collection and recall.
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Parallel imports and direct purchases from overseas: As safety concerns over overseas direct-purchase products have recently led to tighter regulations, certification status must be checked when products are imported for commercial purposes.
1. Safety Certification
Safety requirements for textile products differ significantly depending on whether the product is intended for adults or children. In particular, most textile products are subject to safety confirmation or supplier’s declaration of conformity rather than the higher-level safety certification process. The key points are set out below for clearer classification.
1. Applicable Laws and Certification Stages by Target User
Textile products are mainly controlled under two legal frameworks.
① Adult Textile Products: Household Textile Products
- Relevant law: Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act
- Control stage: Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity, the lowest stage
- Procedure: Manufacturer or importer conducts self-testing and applies the KC mark
- Items: Clothing, bags, bedding, curtains, carpets and related products
② Children’s Textile Products: For Children Aged 13 or Younger
- Relevant law: Special Act on the Safety of Children’s Products
- Control stage: Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
- Procedure: Test reports from designated testing institutions must be secured
2. Key Test Items: Safety Standards
- Formaldehyde: Checks for substances associated with skin irritation and carcinogenic risk.
- Arylamines: Confirms whether certain restricted dyes have been used.
- pH level: Checks compatibility with the acidity level of human skin.
- Hazardous chemicals: Includes phthalate plasticisers, lead, cadmium and related substances.
- Physical safety: Reviews potential risks from cords, drawstrings and small detachable parts such as buttons.
3. Required Labelling Information
- KC mark
- Model name or product name
- Month and year of manufacture
- Manufacturer / importer name
- Country of manufacture
- Fibre composition and blend ratio
- Handling precautions
- Address and telephone number
2. Safety Confirmation
Among textile products, items intended for infants under 36 months are subject to the Safety Confirmation category, which involves stricter procedures.
1. Products Subject to Safety Confirmation
- Infant textile products: All textile products used by infants under 36 months of age.
- Special functional textiles: Products for which safety is particularly important, such as flame-retardant finished items.
2. Difference Between Safety Confirmation and Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
| Category | Infant Textile Products: Safety Confirmation | Adult / Children’s Products: Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity |
|---|
| Target | Under 36 months of age | Children aged 13 or younger and adults |
| Reporting procedure | Report to certification body with test report | No separate reporting procedure; documents are retained internally |
| Certification validity | Renewal required every five years | No separate validity period |
3. Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
This system applies to lower-risk product groups and allows products to be sold after the supplier confirms compliance with safety standards without separate reporting.
- Targets: Adult clothing, bedding, bags, curtains and related products.
- Document retention: Test reports and related documents must be retained for five years from the final date of manufacture.
4. KC Mark
The KC mark is Korea’s integrated national certification mark, confirming the safety of products distributed in the country.
Warning: Without the KC mark, the sale, manufacture and import of applicable products in Korea are legally prohibited.
