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9 Product Standards from Gas Sector revised, including KGS FP111
The Korean Gas Technical Standards Committee has recently approved changes to nine detailed product standards, including ‘KGS FP111’, which pertains to the facility, technology, inspection, supervision, and precision safety inspection of high-pressure gas manufacturing. High-pressure vessels and other products from the gas sector generally require a KGS Registration in order to be approved for import and distribution in Korea.
Key updates include standardizing the separation distance between storage tanks and integrating water spraying devices according to existing facility standards.
The amendments also address the placement of safety valves in specific equipment and establish distances between buried pipes and water facilities in setups using ammonia as hydrogen carrier gas.
These updates support the government’s ‘Hydrogen Safety Management Roadmap 2.0.’
The Korea Gas Safety Corporation anticipates that these revised standards will gain final approval from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy soon and be published officially in the Korea Electronic Gazette. The updated KGS Code will be accessible online following its publication.
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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Simplified Categorization of Textile Products for young Children
The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) under South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to simplify textile product standards for baby, children, and household items to alleviate challenges faced by textile companies. Clothes for young children generally need KC Certification in order to be approved for import and use in South Korea.
The revision, announced on June 6, consolidates ten product categories into six, streamlining classifications such as merging footwear and hats into outerwear, gloves into middlewear, and socks into innerwear. This change aims to broaden the recognition of similar product models.
Overview of the changes:
Additionally, a new, simplified test method for detecting hazardous arylamine has been introduced to lower testing costs. The updated standards also address societal concerns by allowing labels to include “reused wool” to promote animal welfare and eco-friendly consumption, and provide flexibility in labeling the date of manufacture or importation for imported products.
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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For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
Rollout of new Energy Efficiency Classification System for Electric Vehicles
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea has fully launched an energy efficiency rating system for electric vehicles, categorizing 278 models into five levels. From March 31, 2024, each vehicle in the market will display a grade indicating its energy efficiency. This initiative is expected to spur technological advancement in the sector and encourage consumer interest in more efficient electric vehicles. Components and equipment used for electric vehicle production usually require KC certification, KOSHA certification or other certifications in order to be approved for import and use on the Korean market.
The breakdown shows six vehicle models in the top tier, achieving 5.8km/kWh or more, while the subsequent tiers have Tier 2: 54 models, Tier 3: 73 models, Tier 4: 83 models, and Tier 5: 62 models, with the least efficient category managing less than 3.3km/kWh. Annual charging costs for the most efficient cars are significantly lower, estimated at 530 EUR compared to 1100 EUR for the least efficient.
The government’s strategy also includes a focus on reducing the retail prices of electric cars, thereby enhancing market competitiveness and consumer benefits, such as more charging stations, funded by savings from subsidy reductions.
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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For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
25 KS planned for Autonomous Driving by 2025
Over the course of the last year, a panel of 300 Korean experts (the Autonomous Forum for Vehicle Standardization) formulated a plan that should lead to the adoption of at least 25 new KS (Korean Standards) by 2025 to cover the field of “autonomous driving”. The desired standards should cover important, fundamental topics, such as data standards or standards for core components such as lidar, cameras, etc. The Korean KS Standards define the mandatory KC Safety, KCs Certification and other product certifications that products must fulfill in order to be approved for the Korean market.
The plan (‘Strategy for Promoting Autonomous Vehicle Standardization’) aims to ensure the safety and beneficial value of rapidly developing new technologies such as artificial intelligence.
To this end, data attributes such as the processing of traffic signals or the perception of the course of the road must also be covered by specific standards in order to enable the use of these new technologies in a meaningful way.
Furthermore, test requirements are also to be formulated that must be placed on core components such as lidar, displays and others in order to be able to guarantee the quality and safety of these elements.
In the course of these developments, standards for service models will also be created to access autonomous driving.
Accordingly, in addition to the 25 new CS made, an additional 30 new CS are to be formulated by 2025.
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 69 261
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Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
KATS intensifies Scrutiny on Safety of Kids’ Items, Domestic Products, and more
The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, has announced its plan to intensify the inspection of children’s products, household items, and electrical devices in an effort to enhance consumer safety and eliminate the presence of unauthorized goods, specifically those lacking the mandatory KC Certification, in the market this year.
A particular emphasis will be placed on 59 items identified as high-risk due to their higher than average recall rates or their association with incidents like accidents or fires. This includes a detailed examination of 16 children’s items such as walkers, strollers, and bunk beds, 19 household goods including pressure cookers, heat packs, and mountain bikes, along with 24 electronic products, for instance, electric blankets.
The strategy also involves a closer look at products which haven’t been subjected to scrutiny over the past three years but are known to be available for purchase, as well as B2B goods. The campaign’s primary objectives are to (1) conduct thorough safety assessments, (2) escalate efforts to identify and seize illegal and flawed products, and (3) ensure the enforcement of targeted recall procedures depending on the method of sale, whether it be through online platforms or traditional brick-and-mortar outlets.
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 69 261
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For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency offers Service for Searching and Analyzing Data using AI
The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) has introduced an AI-based service for searching and analyzing research data, aimed at enhancing research outcomes and their accessibility. Utilizing technology similar to ChatGPT for natural language interaction, this service simplifies access to over 3,500 documents including research and epidemiological reports, without requiring specialized training. KOSHA is responsible for KCs Certification, which is mandatory for many products that are to be imported into Korea and sold there.
It aims to lower barriers in research fields and boost field applicability by making complex research findings more approachable. Additionally, a “Research Report Writing Curriculum Using ChatGPT” was launched to further integrate AI into research practices.
Institutions like KOSHA are responsible for assuring that products entering the Korean market for distribution comply with national quality and safety regulations, as definedin national standards, and aim to continously improve their operation methods.
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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Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
Enhanced Safety Measures and Certification Criteria for Aerial Work Platforms and Industrial Lifts
The regulations for the KCs Safety Certification and Safety Inspection for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) and industrial lifts have been revised as of September 1st. These updates are part of a broader initiative to enhance workplace safety by the Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency (KOSHA). Work platforms and industrial elevators generally require KCs certification in order to be approved for import and distribution in Korea.
In response to the revisions, industrial lift operators handling equipment with a capacity of less than 0.5 tons are mandated to submit for safety inspections within six months from March 2nd 2024, the date these changes take effect. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has decided to forego administrative penalties like “suspension of operation” for those who apply for inspection within the designated period, recognizing the adjustment phase. Facilities that fail the initial inspection will be granted a period to make necessary improvements.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor, led by Minister Lee Jeong-sik, is set to implement significant updates to the safety standards for aerial work platforms and industrial lifts. Announced adjustments focus on the prevention of fatal accidents. These adjustments specifically target the enhancement of safety devices in aerial work platforms and comprehensive safety protocols for industrial lifts.
Key amendments for aerial work platforms include stricter manufacturing and safety criteria. These now specify the materials, quantity, and installation methods for over-rise prevention devices, which are required to be installed in accordance with defined heights and quantities. For industrial lifts, the new regulations require all lifts capable of carrying less than 0.5 tons to undergo safety inspections. Additionally, fall protection measures that were previously only required for operation heights of 10m or more are now required across the board, necessitating the installation of critical safety features such as impact dampening devices, slack rope detectors, and fall prevention systems to ensure comprehensive accident prevention.
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 69 261
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Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
Simplification of the KC Standard for Children’s Playground Equipment Announced for Korea
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea announced on January 5, 2024, that it has revised the safety standards for children’s products (children’s playground equipment) that are subject to the KC Safety Certification under the Children’s Product Safety Special Act.
Previously, for one-time installations of multiple models of playground equipment, each model, even if made of the same material, had to undergo individual hazardous chemical substance tests. However, the recent revision streamlines this process. Moving forward, only one model within such a group will be subjected to hazardous chemical substance testing for the same material.
This adjustment is designed to make the certification process more efficient while maintaining the highest safety standards for children’s play equipment. It will reduce the cost and time burden for manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, who produce children’s play equipment in small quantities or for specific purposes, such as playgrounds, schools, or amusement parks.
The ministry said that the revision will not compromise the safety of children’s play equipment, as it will still require the same level of quality and performance tests for each model. It also said that it will strengthen the post-management of safety standards, by conducting regular inspections and monitoring the market.
Kim Sang-mo, the director of the Product Safety Policy Bureau, said that the revision will help the children’s play equipment industry to grow and innovate, while ensuring the safety and health of children. He also urged the manufacturers to comply with the revised standards and obtain the KC certification before selling their products.
Different children’s products require a KC Safety approval. Here you can find out more about the KC Safety Certification.
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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Revisions to Pressure Vessel Standards relevant for KGS Certification
After the 148th meeting of the Gas Technical Standards Committee, revisions of 12 detailed standards were approved, including KGS AC111. This code defines that the KGS factory registration is required for pressure vessels in South Korea. The revisions have been implemented on November 11th, 2023 and affect various sectors, encompassing high-pressure gases, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and hydrogen-related equipment.
Among the notable changes, the committee has specified the targets for the destructive and fatigue testing of hydrogen compressed gas facilities, introducing a clear definition, and adding a pressure test procedure. In the LPG sector, standards for the installation of inlet valves and measures for transverse pipe expansion and contraction have been aligned with city gas facility standards.
The scope of destructive and fatigue failure testing for hydrogen compressed gas facilities has been clarified by limiting it to specific openings. Additionally, gas (at 1.25 times the design pressure) has been introduced as a pressure test fluid for valves in toxic gas pipelines. Manufacturing standards were also clarified to allow the production of cylinder cabinets without piping.
For the manufacturing and filling of high-pressure gases, specific facilities and pressure regulators with a total weight of less than one ton (excluding gas weight) that pose no risk of ground subsidence were excluded from ground surveys. The standards were rationalized by acknowledging ASME standards for calculating the thickness of high-pressure gas and piping facilities.
In the case of LPG applications, standards for protecting pipes outside and passing through buildings, installing inlet valves, and measures to absorb expansion and contraction of transverse pipes have been aligned with city gas facility standards.
Here you can find more information about the KGS Factory Registration.
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 69 261
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“.
Approval of Revisions to KGS Code AH271 for Electrolyzers in Korea
The 147th meeting of the Gas Technical Standards Committee in Korea approved a revision to the KGS Code AH271, under which electrolyzers are required to obtain a KGS factory registration. The revisions, which have come into effect on October 5th, 2023, emphasize the committee’s focus on refining and advancing industry standards underlining their commitment to safety and technological progress.
1. Simplification of Requirements for Automatic Shut-Off Valves:
The committee has introduced substantial changes to the durability performance test for automatic shut-off valves, aimed at elevating industry standards and fortifying safety protocols. A new safety standard, grounded in product characteristics, replaces the previous practice of overly applying durability performance confirmation through cycling repetitions (250,000 times). Importantly, valves deemed unlikely to cause hazardous situations during malfunction or impaired function are now exempt from the durability test. This represents a departure from the previous requirement, allowing for a more nuanced evaluation based on valve characteristics.
2. Relaxation of Hydrogen Quality Standards for Electrolysis Facilities:
Considering South Korea’s recent 10-year average lowest temperature of -11.6°C and the operational pressure in current commercial water electrolysis equipment, the committee has proposed a relaxation of restrictions on moisture concentration. Water electrolysis facilities with a rated hydrogen production pressure of 5 MPa or less are now permitted to relax the water limit to 50 μg/g (50 ppm). This adjustment accounts for real-world operational dynamics and ensures a balanced approach to hydrogen quality standards.
3. Clarification of Corrosion Performance Testing of Metallic Materials:
The committee aims to streamline standards for the exemption of corrosion resistance testing when utilizing corrosion-resistant materials. This involves a reflection of omitted conditions and acceptance criteria from specific corrosion resistance tests, including spray time with saline solution. The proposed changes seek to provide greater clarity in assessing the corrosion performance of metallic materials.
The changes are relevant for KGS Certification for South Korea.
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 69 261
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“.