Korea KC Certification
KC RF wireless, KC Safety, KC EMC, KEMCO energy efficiency — Korea's unified KC (Korea Certification) system. CB report transfer can save 40-60% on safety testing.
Mandatory Certifications
| Certification | Standard | Scope | Mandatory? | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC RF | RRA Notice (EN 300 328/440 reference) | All products with wireless transmitters | Mandatory | 3-5 weeks |
| KC Safety (Safety Confirmation) | KC 62368-1, KC 62133 | General consumer electronics (self-regulatory, 3rd-party test required) | Mandatory | 4-6 weeks |
| KC Safety (Safety Certification) | KC 62368-1 (S-Mark) | Safety-critical products — requires factory inspection | Mandatory | 4-8 weeks |
| KC EMC | KN 32, KN 35 (CISPR 32/35) | All electronic devices | Mandatory | 2-3 weeks |
| KEMCO | Energy Efficiency Act | External power adapters, standby power | Mandatory | 2-3 weeks |
| KC RoHS | KC RoHS | Electronic/electrical products (similar to EU RoHS) | Mandatory | 1-2 weeks |
KC Safety: Three Certification Modes
Safety Certification (S-Mark)
For safety-critical products. Requires 3rd-party certification + factory inspection. Certificate needs annual maintenance. Example: some power adapters, high-risk categories.
Safety Confirmation
For general consumer electronics. Self-declaration with mandatory 3rd-party test report. No factory inspection required. This is the most common mode for TWS earphones, smart watches, etc.
Supplier's Declaration (SDoC)
For low-risk products. Supplier self-declares conformity. Minimal testing burden.
Cost-Saving with CB Reports
Korea's KATS system recognizes IECEE CB test reports through MOU agreements. If your product already has CB test reports (e.g., IEC 62368-1, IEC 62133), we can transfer them to KC — typically saving 40-60% on safety testing costs and shortening timelines by 2-3 weeks.
Without CB
Full KC safety testing, 4-8 weeks, 3-5 samples required
With CB
CB report review + Korean national differences only, 2-3 weeks, 0-1 additional samples
Need KC certification for Korea?
We check if your product qualifies for Safety Confirmation (no factory inspection) and whether existing CB reports can reduce costs.
Get a Quote