Overview of KC Certification

KC (Korea Certification) is a mandatory national product safety certification system uniformly administered by Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS). All lithium batteries and lithium-ion battery products sold and used in South Korea must obtain KC certification in accordance with relevant standards and affix KC marks to achieve legal market circulation.

Different from CE self-declaration mode adopted in some regions, KC certification requires test reports issued by KATS-recognized testing laboratories and official registration in the KATS database. Unauthorized sales of non-certified products in South Korea will lead to serious penalties including product recall, fines and even export bans.

Applicable KC Standards for Lithium Batteries

• KC 62133 (Identical to IEC 62133-2:2017)Applicable to portable sealed secondary lithium batteries and packs, serving as the core certification standard for batteries used in consumer electronics and portable devices.

• KC 62619 (Identical to IEC 62619:2022)Designed for industrial lithium-ion batteries, covering energy storage systems, power systems and other industrial application scenarios.

KC standards are highly consistent with international IEC standards. Enterprises holding valid CB test reports based on IEC 62133-2:2017 can reuse existing test data to effectively cut certification costs and shorten lead time.

Main KC Certification Test Items (KC 62133)

1. External Short Circuit Protection Test: Ensure no fire, explosion or liquid leakage occurs within specified time under terminal short-circuit condition.
2. Overcharge Protection Test: Charge batteries with excessive current and voltage to verify the effectiveness of built-in protection mechanisms.
3. Forced Discharge Test: Force batteries to discharge down to extremely low voltage to confirm safety limits against over-discharge.
4. Temperature Cycling Test: Conduct repeated temperature cycles from -40℃ to +72℃ to verify structural stability under extreme temperature difference.
5. Thermal Abuse Test: Place batteries in high-temperature environment above 130℃ to evaluate thermal management performance and safety performance.
6. Compression Test: Apply specified mechanical pressure to assess safety performance under physical deformation.
7. Low Air Pressure Test (Air Transport Simulation): Simulate aviation transportation environment to confirm no liquid leakage or fire risks.
8. Drop Test: Free drop from specified height to check the impact of mechanical shock on cell integrity.

Standard KC Certification Application Process

1. Confirm Product Classification & Applicable StandardSelect KC 62133 for consumer batteries or KC 62619 for industrial batteries; prepare product specifications and BOM lists.

2. Cooperate with Recognized Testing InstitutionsArrange safety tests at KATS-approved laboratories including qualified domestic testing facilities.

3. Submit Samples & Technical DocumentsDeliver test samples, circuit diagrams, safety design statements and application forms to launch formal testing.

4. Complete All Tests & Issue Official ReportsThe laboratory issues standard KC-compliant test reports after full item testing.

5. Complete KATS Official RegistrationSubmit test reports and product information to the KATS official system to obtain official KC registration number.

6. Affix KC Mark & Conduct Compliant ExportProducts with valid KC registration numbers can be marked legally and sold in the South Korean market.

Certification Cycle & Key Notes

The standard KC certification testing cycle ranges from 4 to 8 weeks, subject to product complexity, sample quantity and laboratory scheduling. Enterprises shall reserve sufficient time to avoid delayed product launch.

• Certificate Validity: Generally valid for 5 years; renewal application is required upon expiry.
• Product Change Control: Re-assessment is necessary if core parameters such as cell model, capacity and BMS settings are modified.
• CB Certificate Reuse: Existing IEC 62133-2:2017 CB certificates support CB-to-KC conversion to reduce repeated testing workload.
• Korean Label Requirement: Product labels must comply with South Korean local language marking regulations, please confirm label specifications in advance.

FAQ

Q1: Is KC certification mandatory for lithium batteries exported to South Korea?A1: Yes. Lithium batteries and integrated products such as power banks and power tools must pass KC certification for South Korean market access. Non-certified goods may be detained by customs and prohibited from local sales.

Q2: What is the difference between KC 62133 and IEC 62133-2:2017?A2: KC 62133 is the South Korean national standard fully equivalent to IEC 62133-2:2017 with identical technical requirements. The main difference lies in certification procedures: KC requires mandatory KATS registration while pure IEC standards are not compulsory. CB holders can realize efficient CB-to-KC conversion.

Q3: Are KC certificates universally accepted by all South Korean buyers?A3: Yes. KC certificates issued by KATS are valid nationwide in South Korea. Clients can verify certificate authenticity via official KATS website with registration numbers.

Q4: Do single cells and finished battery packs need separate KC certification?A4: Separate assessment is usually required since cells and battery packs differ in test requirements and application scenarios. It is recommended to confirm product division and formulate targeted certification plans in the early stage.

Q5: How to handle expired KC certificates?A5: Initiate renewal procedures 3 to 6 months before expiry. Applicants need to submit updated test reports and product consistency declarations to ensure continuous certification validity and avoid export compliance risks.

Contact Us

Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd. (GDESTL) has rich practical experience in lithium battery international certification services. We provide full professional technical consultation and one-stop testing support for enterprises applying for KC certification. Feel free to contact us for detailed solution consultation.

Disclaimer: This article is AI-assisted for reference only, not constituting any certification commitment or legal advice. All business practices shall comply with the latest official standards and regulations.