For lithium-ion batteries to enter the South Korean market, KC Certification (Korea Certification) is an indispensable mandatory "pass". For Chinese battery manufacturers, in-depth understanding of this certification system—especially the efficient use of the CB Scheme Transfer (Certification Body Scheme) as a shortcut—is a key strategy to quickly penetrate the Korean market.

This article systematically analyzes the requirements and processes of KC certification for lithium-ion batteries, with a focus on interpreting how to achieve efficient certification transfer through CB test reports, providing you with a clear and practical certification roadmap.

01 Cornerstone of Market Access: Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Must Obtain KC Certification

KC Certification is a mandatory safety certification system implemented by the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) in accordance with the Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act. Any lithium-ion battery product sold or circulated in the South Korean market must affix the KC mark on the product itself; otherwise, it will face customs clearance obstacles, market bans, and legal penalties.

Core Regulatory Objectives: Ensure that electrical and electronic products used in South Korea comply with Korean safety standards, preventing personal injury and property loss caused by risks such as electric shock, fire, overheating, and explosion.

Controlled Product Scope: KC Certification covers a wide range of electrical and electronic products. In the battery sector, lithium-ion cells and battery packs for portable devices (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, power banks, power tool batteries) are key regulated items.

Mandatory Nature: Unlike some voluntary certifications, KC Certification is a legally mandatory market access threshold. Products without certification cannot be legally sold in South Korea.

02 Core Standards & Certification Paths: Focus on KC 62133 and CB Scheme Transfer

KC 62133 is the core standard regulating the safety of lithium-ion batteries for portable electronic products, and its technical content is highly aligned with the international standard IEC 62133. This alignment lays a solid foundation for applying for KC Certification through CB Scheme Transfer.

Key Test Items

KC 62133 specifies comprehensive tests to evaluate battery safety, including:

• Electrical Tests: Continuous low-rate charging, overcharge, forced discharge, external short circuit, etc.
• Mechanical Tests: Crush, drop, vibration, shock, etc.
• Environmental Tests: Thermal abuse, temperature cycling, low pressure, etc.

Two Certification Types

1. Voluntary Safety Confirmation: Applicable to low-risk products; self-declaration after testing by designated laboratories.
2. Mandatory Safety Certification: Applicable to high-risk products (including most lithium-ion batteries); must be executed by KATS-authorized certification bodies.

Efficient Path Selection

Based on the IECEE-CB System, holding a CB test report and certificate compliant with IEC 62133 is directly accepted by KC certification bodies. This significantly simplifies the evaluation process, avoids duplicate testing, and is the most preferred application path for enterprises.

03 Practical Certification Process: Four Steps to KC Certification

Step 1: Preparatory Work & Document Review

Before submitting a formal application, enterprises need to prepare a complete set of technical documents, including product specifications, circuit schematics, PCB layouts, a list of key components (BOM) and their certification information (e.g., CB certificates for cells). Collaborating with an experienced certification consulting and testing service provider (such as Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd.) for pre-evaluation can effectively predict risks and ensure document compliance.

Step 2: Product Testing & Report Acquisition

This is the core technical link of certification. The process varies by selected path:

• Direct KC Application: Send samples to KATS-accredited laboratories (domestic or overseas in South Korea) to complete a full set of tests in accordance with KC 62133.
• CB Scheme Transfer: Complete tests in accordance with IEC 62133 at a CBTL (CB Testing Laboratory)-accredited facility (e.g., Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd.’s laboratory) to obtain CB test reports and certificates. This path allows testing to be completed domestically, with more controllable communication and timelines.

Step 3: Application Submission & Factory Inspection

Submit the KC certification application, along with CB reports (if applicable), Korean-language manuals, label designs, and other documents to a South Korean certification body (e.g., KTL, KTR, KTC). For first-time applicants or enterprises with major system changes, the certification body may arrange a factory inspection to confirm the ability to continuously produce qualified products. CB Scheme Transfer may simplify or exempt some factory inspection requirements.

Step 4: Certificate Issuance & Mark Usage

After successful review, the certification body issues the KC certificate. Enterprises must clearly and permanently affix the KC mark to the product itself in accordance with the implementation rules of the Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act. The certificate number must be indicated next to the mark. Additionally, Korean-language safety warnings and manuals must be provided on the product or packaging.

04 Core Advantage Analysis: Why Prefer the CB Scheme Transfer Path?

For Chinese battery enterprises already targeting the global market, the CB Scheme Transfer path offers significant strategic advantages:

• Maximized Time Efficiency: Direct KC application may take months due to test queuing, sample shipping, report translation, and communication. With CB Scheme Transfer, CB testing and KC document preparation can be completed simultaneously domestically. Leveraging CB reports for rapid KC recognition shortens the overall cycle by 30%-50%.
• Significant Cost Optimization: Avoids high logistics, customs clearance, and testing service fees associated with sending samples to South Korea. Additionally, one CB test can serve as the basis for applying for multiple national certifications (e.g., Israel SII, Saudi SASO), realizing "one test, multiple country applications" and reducing the cost per certification.
• Controllable Technical Risks: When cooperating with domestic CBTL laboratories, enterprise technical teams can directly and in-depth communicate test details and rectification plans. Compared with overseas laboratories, communication barriers are reduced, and problem response and resolution are faster, ensuring smooth project progress.
• Sustained Process Convenience: For product series expansion or changes based on the same CB certificate, the process of notifying or applying for changes with KC authorities is more streamlined.

05 Key Considerations & Future Trends

Obtaining KC Certification is not the end; continuous compliance and forward-looking layout are equally important.

Certificate & Mark Management

KC certificates have a specific validity period and require renewal before expiration. Ensure 100% of factory-delivered products affix the correct KC mark, and properly store certification technical documents for official spot checks.

Market Supervision & Change Control

South Korean market regulatory authorities (KATS) conduct regular market sampling inspections. Any changes to design, key components, or production processes related to safety performance must be notified to the certification body in advance for approval; supplementary testing may be required if necessary.

Standard Dynamic Tracking

Closely monitor updates to standards such as KC 62133. South Korea typically follows revisions to IEC standards. Early understanding of standard changes helps enterprises proactively upgrade products and avoid certification interruptions.

Expanded Vision

KC Certification primarily focuses on safety. If products contain hazardous substances, they must also meet KC RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) requirements. As South Korea increasingly focuses on battery carbon footprint and recycling, relevant environmental regulations may be incorporated into future considerations.

South Korea’s demand for portable energy storage devices continues to grow. According to data from the Korea International Trade Association, the import volume of related products increased by over 20% year-on-year in 2023, with Chinese products accounting for a significant share.

Market expansion is accompanied by stricter regulation. In 2024, non-compliance items in KATS’ sampling inspections of consumer batteries focused on non-standard marking and discharge protection testing—core areas of KC 62133 and factory inspections.

06 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do all lithium-ion batteries exported to South Korea require KC Certification?

A: Yes. According to South Korea’s Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act, almost all lithium-ion batteries (cells and packs) for portable electronic products sold in the South Korean market are subject to mandatory safety certification and must obtain KC Certification.

Q: When applying for KC through CB Scheme Transfer, is it necessary to send samples to South Korea?

A: Usually not. The core of CB Scheme Transfer is the recognition of CB test reports based on IEC standards. As long as the CB report is issued by a CBTL accredited by an NCB (National Certification Body) and the standard is aligned with KC requirements, KC authorities generally do not require duplicate testing or additional sample shipment to South Korea.

Q: What is the typical cycle and cost for KC Certification?

A: The cycle and cost vary by product complexity, certification path, and whether it is a first-time application. Through CB Scheme Transfer, the cycle can generally be controlled within 8-12 weeks; direct application may take 12-16 weeks or longer. Costs mainly include testing fees, application fees, factory inspection fees, and agency service fees. CB Scheme Transfer is usually more cost-effective due to savings on duplicate testing and logistics costs.

Q: If the product already has certification from other countries (e.g., UL, PSE), can the KC process be simplified?

A: Simplification is limited. While safety principles are similar, South Korea’s KC Certification has specific standard versions, document formats, and administrative procedures. The most direct and efficient simplification path remains leveraging the IECEE-CB System—an international multilateral system officially participated in and recognized by South Korea. Certification reports from other countries may only serve as technical references and cannot directly replace KC’s required evaluations.