KC EMC Certification for Korea

The KC EMC certification confirms the electromagnetic compatibility of electronic devices and products with radio technologies. This certification is administered by the “National Radio Research Agency” (RRA) and since 2011 the KC EMC certification is part of the KC certification system. On that basis the KC mark as a uniform logo is also used for marking under KC EMC.

Most technical equipment of the information, communication and telecommunication industry which will be sold in South Korea is required to have a KC EMC Certification. This certification confirms that the products are electromagnetically compatible and harmless for the consumer.

KC EMC certification logo

Products that are equipped with wireless and radio technology also require a KC EMC certification in order to get access to the Korean market. This affects products with technologies such as WIFI, Bluetooth, RFID and other wireless communication technologies.

Here is a brief Video about the KC EMC certification for product exports to Korea,

presented by Julian Busch, director of MPR International GmbH / China Certification Corporation:

You can also watch this video on our Video Channel.

The organizations responsible for this certification are the South Korean “National Radio Research Agency” (RRA) and the “Korean Communication Commission” (KCC). Because of this the KC EMC certification is still sometimes called KCC certification, or MSIP certification (named after the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning), although these terms are out of date.

National-Radio-Research-Agency-South-Korea

Certain products not only require a KC EMC certification but also a KC Safety certification.

Two major product categories are mainly relevant for the KC EMC certification:

Products that do not use radio technologies for which only EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) is relevant, like household appliances, lighting systems and other products with frequencies over 9 kHz
Products with wireless and radio technologies, like Wifi, Bluetooth, mobile communication technologies and RFID need to be certified

These products usually also require testing for electromagnetic compatibility, meaning they have to get two separate test reports under KC EMC.

The 4 steps of the KC EMC certification for South Korea

The whole process includes submitting the application documents with the authority and providing samples. After passing the test, the test report is created and the RRA will check the application before issuing the respective certificate. After completing the certification, the manufacturer needs to ensure the correct marking of the certified products.

This does not only include the KC logo, but also a certain coding, which has to adhere to the authority’s requirements. The code breaks down whether it is a certification for electromagnetic compatibility, wireless technologies or mobile communication equipment. Additionally, it specifies if the applicant is the manufacturer, importer or seller of the product. The last part of the coding is a product-specific code that includes the model name and can be up to 14 digits long.

For products originating in the European Union, a simplification of the process can be achieved under the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement. Test reports according to Korean standards from accredited EU test laboratories can be used as part of the KC EMC registration. However, this is only permissible for products where only EMC plays a role. For products with RF technologies, the tests must be carried out in Korea.

Unlike the KC certification, where no distinction between the manufacturer and applicant is made, KC EMC certificates can have an applicant that is not the manufacturer of the product. In practice this often means that Korean importers of sales organizations act as applicants and appear on the certificate. Even though this might simplify the certification process for manufacturers, it locks them into a relationship with the Korean applicant. If they ever want to change their importer, the manufacturer has to get explicit permission from the KC EMC applicant to get taken off the existing certificate. Otherwise, product tests have to be repeated and a new KC EMC certificate has to be applied for.

Further Information:

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