Electrical Regulations Revised in South Korea

The beginning of 2016 brings regulatory changes in South Korea, with many of them impacting electrical and electronic products’ EMC compliance, as well as KC marking requirements.

EMI and EMS Standards Harmonized in Amendment

The electromagnetic interference criterion (EMI) and the electromagnetic susceptibility criterion (EMS) were applicable to electrical and electronic (EE) products prior to the publication of the amendment on December 3, 2015. This amendment does not signify a change in the test methods or limitations; its purpose is to harmonize criteria by combining the two previous standards under one new EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) standard. This criterion impacts multiple EE products, including digital door locks, marine electrical and electronic equipment, photovoltaic power generation facilities and the charging mode of electric vehicles.

EMC Compliance Prioritized for Audio/Video Products

From January 1, 2016, all EE audio and video products that are marketed, sold and imported into South Korea need to comply with new electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards, which were published on November 30, 2015.

Previously, such products were subject to standards KN13, KN20, while ITE equipment was covered under standards KN22 and KN24. Since these old standards (KN13, KN20, KN22, KN24) expired on December 31, 2015, the South Korean National Radio Research Agency (RRA) is no longer accepting reports of product tests conducted under these old standards. The old KN standards KN 13 and KN24 are replaced by KN32, while KN20 and KN24 are replaced by standard KN35, effective January 1, 2016. The new standards KN32 and KN35 are based on international standards CISPR 32, and CISPR 35 respectively.

Range and Validity of KC Marking Altered

The KC mark will be undergoing some changes starting April 1, 2016. These updates affect EE product input power ranges. Previously, inputs of 50V - 1,000V were covered by the KC mark, but starting in April, products with inputs of 30V and DC42V will be removed from the KC marking scheme.

Another change impacts the validity term of the safety certificate. These have been extended from five years for any kind of product, to up to 10 years, depending on the risk levels evaluated.

Changes are also coming for batteries, in an effort to increase their safety. Standard K62133 has been replaced by standard KC62133, which not only involves a change in the name of the standard, but also brings with it updates to the testing methods and a requirement that all Lithium-ion batteries need to be tested, irrespective of their energy density value (Wh/l).

New products, like ozone water generators or ion generators, are now also subject to safety tests and KC mark certification.

References:

[1] European Commission. Draft amendment of Technical criterion for Electromagnetic Compatibility. November 2015 (http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/tbt/en/search/?tbtaction=search.detail&Country_ID=KOR&num=602&dspLang=en&basdatedeb=&basdatefin=&baspays=KOR&basnotifnum=&basnotifnum2=&bastypepays=ANY&baskeywords)

[2] Compliance Today. Korea changes electrical appliances safety control regulation for KC mark. August 2015 (http://www.metlabs.com/blog/product-safety/korea-changes-electrical-appliances-safety-control-regulation-for-kc-mark)

About SGS Services for the Consumer Goods and Retail Industry

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SGS Consumer Goods and Retail
Tim Kim
Wireless Marketing & Sales Division
Team Manager

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This release was published on openPR.