South Korea has a structured and mandatory certification system for most wireless, telecom, and electrical/electronic products. The main authority overseeing these certifications is the National Radio Research Agency (RRA) under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Safety certification is managed by the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) and several designated certification bodies.
Key certification areas include:
- KC Certification (Korea Certification) for wireless and electrical products
- EMC and RF conformity assessment
- Safety certification for electrical devices
- Telecommunications approval for network-connected equipment
1. KC Certification and RRA Approval
Wireless and RF devices—such as smartphones, Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi routers, and IoT modules—must comply with KC certification requirements administered by the RRA.
Approval types include:
- Certification of Conformity: Mandatory for high-risk products (e.g., mobile phones, routers)
- Registration of Conformity: For moderate-risk products (e.g., certain RF modules)
- Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC): For low-risk items
The approval process generally includes:
- Submission of technical documents and test samples
- In-country testing by a Korea-accredited lab
- Issuance of a KC mark and certification number
- Product labeling requirements and database registration
In-country testing is mandatory for most categories. Foreign test reports (e.g., CE, FCC) are not accepted in place of local testing.
Certificate validity: Typically permanent unless the product undergoes changes. Periodic market surveillance may apply.
Typical lead times: 4 to 8 weeks, depending on testing complexity.
2. Electrical Safety and EMC Compliance
Electrical appliances and electronic products must also comply with Korean safety and EMC standards, governed by KATS. Common products include chargers, TVs, household appliances, and lighting products.
Required documents include:
- Electrical safety test reports from a Korean-accredited lab
- EMC test results
- Product manual in Korean
- Local representative (mandatory for foreign manufacturers)
Products must bear the KC mark with the appropriate certification number and importer details.
Certificate validity: Usually permanent for unchanged products; updates required for design or component changes.
Typical lead times: 3 to 6 weeks depending on product category and documentation.
3. Telecom Equipment Registration
Devices that connect to the public telecom network must also receive approval under telecom-specific regulations. This applies to VoIP equipment, mobile network devices, and certain smart home systems.
This process is overseen by the RRA, often in parallel with KC certification.
Customs and Import Requirements
To import regulated products into South Korea:
- KC certification or registration must be completed
- Korean-language labeling and manuals are required
- A Korean local representative or importer is mandatory
- All approved products must be registered in the national database
Non-compliant products will be denied entry and may face penalties.
Closing remarks
Certification ensures not only regulatory compliance but also consumer trust and market access. Companies planning to enter the South Korean market should budget time and resources for these approvals early in their go-to-market process. Getting certified in Korea can be rigorous, but it is essential for legal sale and long-term success. Whether you're launching smart devices, telecom hardware, or consumer electronics—compliance is your passport to South Korea.
