{"id":5284,"date":"2026-05-07T15:45:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/media.narmadi.com\/en\/?p=5284"},"modified":"2026-05-07T15:45:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:45:45","slug":"south-korea-type-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/media.narmadi.com\/en\/r\/5284\/south-korea-type-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete Guide for South Korea Type Approval"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Type approval is required for the distribution of telecommunications equipment in a country. Therefore, manufacturers, importers, or distributors need to understand the South Korea type approval process to enter this highly promising market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Korea is one of the industry giants and a leading global player in the telecommunications market. The country often serves as a global benchmark for the adoption of new-generation technologies such as 5G and the development of 6G. You need guidance on South Korea type approval to enter its market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Korea type approval is known as KC certification. Understanding the entire certification process is crucial for all manufacturers, importers, and distributors before marketing and using their products in this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is South Korea Type Approval?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

KC stands for \u201cKorean Certification.\u201d This certification is issued by a Certification Body (CB) acting as a third party. A CB can be either state-owned or privately owned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These bodies are regulated by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS). This is a government agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC certification covers many product categories, such as electronics, household appliances, toys, and telecommunications devices, under the broadcasting and communications product category. KC certificates for telecommunications devices under the broadcasting and communications equipment category are issued by the National Radio Research Agency (RRA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC certification serves as proof that a telecommunications device is safe for use. This means the device does not pose significant risks when used and does not interfere with the operation of other devices when used simultaneously. Thus, its safe use is guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certification Scheme in South Korea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The KC certification scheme will depend on the type of product and the type of technology used. There are three KC certification schemes for broadcasting and communications equipment: Conformity of Certification (CoC), Registration of Compatibility, and Interim of Conformity (IoC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Conformity of Certification (CoC)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conformity of Certification (CoC) is the most common certification scheme applied to all broadcasting and communication products. Products that have a high likelihood of causing interference to the surrounding radio environment and a high likelihood of receiving interference from the surrounding environment are required to undergo this scheme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Registration of Compatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Registration of Compatibility is a certification scheme that must be obtained by all broadcasting and communication products that are not required to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). The process involves submitting a confirmation letter to verify the conformity of the product submitted to the RRA online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Interim Certificate of Conformity (IoC)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Interim Certificate of Conformity (IoC) is a certification scheme applied to broadcasting and communication products that do not meet the technical conformity assessment criteria in South Korea. Conformity assessment will use standards from other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scope of Products Requiring Certification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each of the three South Korea type approval schemes has its own product scope. The scope of products requiring KC certification is not limited to telecommunications products. However, all products with telecommunications features or radio frequencies must also be certified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following are some examples of products that require South Korea type approval:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scheme<\/strong><\/td>Product Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Conformity of Certification (CoC)<\/td>– Automatic Receiver- Alarm- Wireless telephone- Modem- Telephone- Radar for ships- Etc<\/td><\/tr>
Registration of Compatibility<\/td>– Broadcasting Set Top Box- Industrial Device- Computing device and peripherals- measuring instrument- Connector- Etc<\/td><\/tr>
Interim of Conformity (IoC)<\/td>– Newly developed product- New technology that still has no standard in South Korea<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who Should Be an Applicant for Certification?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

South Korea type approval procedure differs slightly from those typically found in other Asian countries. In South Korea, foreign companies are still permitted to hold the certificate. This certainly makes things easier for manufacturers who do not yet have a local company or representative in South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A KC certificate issued in the name of a foreign manufacturer can be used by an importer to import the product. Manufacturers can also designate an importer or distributor as their local representative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In such cases, it is advisable to partner with a local importer as the certificate holder. This is because in South Korea, imports can only be carried out by importers who hold the certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certification Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The South Korea type approval certification process requires local testing. The inclusion of local testing makes the process longer compared to a document-only evaluation method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The required documents also increase. You will be asked to complete documents for local testing, and afterward, you will be asked to provide the necessary documents for the certification application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Local testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Local testing for South Korea type approval is a mandatory requirement. This method requires applicants to submit samples for testing at a local laboratory in South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process involves two types of testing: Radio Frequency (RF) Testing and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing. Additionally, for certain products that are typically used in proximity to the body during normal operation, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing is also mandatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number and type of samples required will depend on the type of testing being conducted. For products that must undergo all three tests, at least three types of samples are needed: a conductive sample, a standard sample, and a radiation sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conductive sample is used for RF testing. The normal sample is used for EMC testing. Meanwhile, the radiation sample is used for SAR testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the samples, local testing also requires several documents to be submitted to the KC. The following documents are required:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Antenna specification. This document must contain the information about the maximum gain and the Gain pattern.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Circuit diagram<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Part location (Or the inside photo of the product, which can be identified by the part number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Korean user manual<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Application form<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Testing guide (detail) & Program\/software<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    2. Document evaluation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Document evaluation is the step that takes place after testing is complete. You will receive a test report, which must be submitted along with other supporting documents for evaluation before the final certificate is issued. For this process, the required documents are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. User\u2019s manual,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Test report (issued by the authorized testing agency or the testing agency in an MRA country),<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Appearance drawing,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Part arrangement diagram or picture,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Circuit diagram,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Letter of representation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      3. Certificate issuance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      The KC certificate will be issued once the above process is complete. The lead time for South Korea type approval is approximately eight weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The KC certificate has no expiration date. Therefore, once a product is certified, the certificate remains valid indefinitely unless there are significant changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The following is an example of a KC certificate:<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"South<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      4. Labeling requirements for South Korea type approval<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      All telecommunications and wireless devices requiring mandatory South Korea type approval certification must be labeled. Labeling requirements for South Korea KC certification mandate the affixing of a conformity label known as the \u201cKC Mark,\u201d which stands for \u201cKorea Certification Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This mark must be affixed to all registered products, user manuals, or packaging before the product is sold. The labeling requirements consist of several components: the KC logo, the equipment identification code, the certification scheme code, the applicant identification code, and the product identification code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The minimum size for the KC mark is generally 5mm. However, the size may be adjusted to fit the product\u2019s dimensions. If the product is too small, the size may be less than 5mm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Here is an example of the label:<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n
      \"South<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      KC Certification Management Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The type approval certification process in South Korea, which involves local submissions, can be time-consuming and far from straightforward. This is especially true for those applying for this certification for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Therefore, you may need assistance to complete the certification process in this country. Dimulti is the right place to address your confusion regarding RF type approval and telecommunications certification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Our extensive experience gives us a deep understanding of the certification process, from pre-testing to certificate issuance. Our track record in the certification industry has allowed us to build an extensive international network. We even provide services that allow you to monitor the certificate issuance process in real-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n