Major Overhaul of KS Certification After 60 Years...Expanded to Include "Designers and Developers"

Opening Certification to Designers and Developers, Extending Validity Period
Strongly Blocking Misuse and Substandard Products

The KS certification system is undergoing a major overhaul for the first time in more than 60 years since its introduction. The government plans to lower barriers to business activity by expanding the certification structure, which had focused on manufacturers with factories, to include designers and developers. At the same time, it will strengthen management and supervision of certification misuse and illegal or substandard products in order to enhance consumer trust.

On February 4, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced, at an economic ministers' meeting, the "Plan to Reform the KS Certification System," jointly with related ministries. The plan centers on expanding the entities eligible to obtain KS certification, strengthening measures to prevent illegal or substandard KS-certified products and certification misuse, and introducing customized certification for the wind power industry.

First, the entities eligible to obtain KS certification will be expanded from the existing "manufacturers" to include "designers and developers." Until now, KS certification has been granted by inspecting factories, focusing on whether they maintain the quality level set by the Korean Industrial Standards (KS) and whether they have the capability to produce products of consistent quality. However, as the industrial structure has shifted from small-variety mass production to multi-variety small-lot production and OEM contract manufacturing, the system will be improved so that designers and developers who do not directly own factories can also obtain certification. The government expects this measure to accelerate the commercialization of OEM-based high-tech products such as companion robots.

Measures to reduce the burden on companies will be implemented in parallel. Previously, certified companies were required to complete mandatory training every three years and undergo factory inspections to renew their certification. Reflecting industry calls for burden reduction, the validity period of KS certification will be extended from the current three years to four years.

Management and supervision of illegal or substandard KS-certified products and certification misuse will also be strengthened. To block the domestic inflow of illegal products that are increasing through routes such as indirect exports, cooperation with the Korea Customs Service will be expanded. The government plans to first conduct intensive inspections focusing on socially sensitive items such as steel and stainless flanges, and then gradually widen the scope of investigations.

The government's direct investigative authority will also be strengthened for so-called "KS certification misuse," in which companies that have not obtained KS certification arbitrarily display the mark. When a report is filed suspecting certification misuse, investigators will be dispatched to the site to take necessary measures, and a regulation will be established to immediately revoke certification if products are intentionally manufactured below certification standards. If intentional manipulation is found during on-site inspections or renewal inspections, certification will be revoked immediately.

The post-management system will also be professionalized. The government plans to designate a non-profit organization, independent from certification-issuing bodies, as a dedicated organization to professionally carry out post-management of KS certification and support work for companies. Through this, it aims to structurally block the distribution of illegal or substandard KS products.

In addition, a customized certification system targeting the wind power industry will be introduced. Currently, KS certification for medium and large wind turbines is operated as a package-type structure that includes blades, hubs, nacelles, and towers, which has created the problem that even if only some components are changed, the entire system must undergo re-verification. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards plans to adopt the IECRE RNA (Rotor Nacelle Assembly) certification system, which is used internationally, and improve the system so that when only the tower or lower section is changed, companies can obtain certification quickly without re-verification.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jungkwan stated, "This reform of the KS certification system is the first change in more than 60 years since the system was introduced in 1961, and it is meaningful in that it secures institutional flexibility to respond to the rapidly changing industrial environment." He added, "We will promote the commercialization of high-tech products and ease the burden on companies, while responding more firmly to illegal practices so that KS certification can remain something consumers can trust."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.