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Korea Zinc Launches Gallium Facility to Reduce Reliance on Chinese Supply
Korea Zinc has announced plans to establish a gallium recovery plant at its Onsan smelter in Ulsan, as part of a broader strategy to secure supply chains for strategic minerals traditionally dominated by China. The company will invest 55.7 billion won (approximately $39.3 million) in the facility, with pilot operations set to begin in the first half of 2028. Once fully operational, the plant is projected to yield 15.5 metric tons of gallium annually, with estimated profits of 11 billion won based on current market prices. Supported by in-house research and development, Korea Zinc has commercialized its gallium extraction technology, enabling cost-effective and profitable production. Machinery usually requires KCs certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Korea.
Gallium, a mineral essential for advanced electronic applications such as semiconductors and LEDs, has been classified as a critical mineral by both the Korean government and the U.S. Department of Energy. Currently, China controls nearly 98.7 percent of global gallium output, and its recent export bans have heightened international concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities. Korea Zinc’s new facility aims to counteract these risks while also enabling the recovery of over 16 tons of indium annually as a by-product, adding another 8 billion won in potential revenue. The company, already the world’s largest non-Chinese indium refiner, continues to bolster its technological capabilities. Notably, its proprietary low-temperature, low-pressure hematite process has been designated a National Core Technology by Korea’s Ministry of Industry.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.
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Revised Korean Standards Enhance Oversight of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Systems
South Korea has implemented extensive updates to multiple KGS (Korea Gas Safety) standards governing hydrogen production, gas storage, and fuel cell technologies. Notable changes include a narrower scope for code AC111, which previously covered all pressure vessels but now excludes small LPG storage tanks—these are addressed separately under the newly applied AC114. Clearer requirements for strength recalculations due to design modifications have also been introduced. Meanwhile, the revised AH171 code now includes safety and performance requirements for hydrogen generators that operate via ammonia thermal decomposition, reflecting Korea’s regulatory response to recent pilot projects in this area. Hydrogen and gas technologies usually require KGS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Korea.
Further modifications were made to code AH271 for water electrolysis systems, aligning it more closely with ISO 22734 by distinguishing acidic from alkaline electrolyzers. New mandates include emergency shutdown functions for abnormal electrolyte levels and the use of dual-unit output labeling on nameplates. Large-scale installations may also include output capacity in megawatts. Fuel cell regulations have also evolved: while stationary systems under AH371 remain unchanged, new performance testing protocols have been added to AH372 and AH373 for forklift and drone fuel cells, respectively. These tests evaluate real-world functionality, including wind resistance and tilt behavior.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 259
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Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
South Korea Identifies 39 Non-Compliant Imported Products in Safety Inspection
The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has announced the results of its latest safety inspection on imported consumer goods purchased through overseas online platforms. Out of 206 products examined, 39 items failed to meet Korean safety standards, representing a non-compliance rate of 18.9 %, nearly four times higher than the average rate for domestically distributed products earlier this year.
The investigation focused on products popular for outdoor and daily use in the autumn season. Electrical devices, helmets, and children’s items usually require KC Safety Certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Korea. Tests covered chemical substance detection, electric-shock protection, and impact resistance, among other safety criteria.
Major Findings by Category
- Household products: 11 items failed, including eight types of bicycle and motorcycle helmets. Several helmets broke or detached during dynamic-tension testing, revealing weak fastening systems that could not maintain required strap strength under load.
- Children’s products: 9 items were found non-compliant, including toys containing excessive levels of phthalate plasticizers—up to 420 times the permitted concentration—and slime toys with boron content nearly five times above the limit.
- Electrical goods: 19 items were identified as hazardous, such as DC power adapters and multi-socket plugs with insufficient insulation clearance and excessive temperature rise, creating potential fire and shock risks.
Examples of Non-Conforming Products
Among the products that failed testing were:
- Adult bicycle helmets whose chin-strap buckles tore or slipped open under tension, violating impact and retention strength criteria.
- A portable 100 W USB-C multi-port charger that reached over 130 °C at the coil during operation—well above the 110 °C safety threshold.
- A multi-socket power strip where live parts were exposed, making electric shock possible during normal use.
- A children’s sticker toy set containing phthalate levels exceeding limits by more than 300-fold, posing chemical exposure risks for young users.
- Electric scooters that reached top speeds of 38–39 km/h, exceeding the legal limit of 25 km/h for personal mobility devices.
Director-General Kim Dae-ja stated that additional inspections will be carried out later this year, focusing on winter products, and that authorities will continue monitoring to prevent unsafe goods from re-entering the domestic market.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 259
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
KGS and KATECH Partner to Advance Hydrogen Safety and Carbon-Neutral Mobility
On the 19th, the Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH) to promote carbon neutrality and support the growth of the hydrogen economy. This partnership aims to strengthen both institutions’ capabilities—KGS in hydrogen safety management and KATECH in future mobility technologies—by combining their independently developed expertise to enhance the safety and reliability of the rapidly expanding hydrogen sector. Products and components used in hydrogen related systems usually require KGS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Korea.
The agreement outlines a commitment to collaborate on technologies that support eco-friendly mobility and infrastructure, as well as initiatives to assist domestic companies entering international markets by providing access to testing and equipment resources. KGS plans to deepen its collaboration with KATECH through joint R&D projects and participation in government-led research initiatives, contributing to safer hydrogen applications and accelerating the transition toward a sustainable energy society. KGS President Park Kyung-guk emphasized during the signing ceremony that hydrogen is a core energy source for the carbon-neutral era, and securing a foundation for its safe use is critical to the industry’s long-term viability.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 259
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
Korea Introduces Acoustic Emission Testing for Reinspection of Hydrogen Vessel Tanks
The Gas Technical Standards Committee (GTSC) is currently collecting public comments until the 30th on a proposed revision of KGS AC116, the national inspection standard for high-pressure gas storage tanks and pressure vessels. The draft revision introduces non-destructive testing (NDT) methods—specifically acoustic emission testing—for the reinspection of Type-1 pressure vessels used in hydrogen refueling stations. The amendment also clarifies that compressed gas equipment refers to pressure vessels used in hydrogen charging facilities to store gas compressed by processing systems. Pressure vessels used in hydrogen refueling stations usually require KGS factory registration in order to be approved for import and sale in Korea.
The updated requirements include new inspection items based on KS B 6755 (In-service Inspection of Pressure Vessels), and add NDT as a reinspection criterion exclusively for Type-1 compressed gas equipment. Under the new provisions, acoustic emission testing must be performed three times to determine vessel integrity. If any signals indicating potential defects are detected, further NDT must be conducted to assess the depth of the flaw. To support implementation, a 24-month grace period has been proposed, allowing time for workforce training and development of detailed inspection guidelines. Individuals or organizations wishing to comment on the draft must submit their feedback to the GTSC by the 30th.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 259
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
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