South Korea KCs Ex Certification for Explosion-Protected Equipment

In South Korea, explosion-protected electrical machinery, apparatus and components are "safety certification" items under Article 84 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The manufacturer, including a foreign manufacturer exporting to Korea, must obtain KCs safety certification from a designated body (KOSHA, KTL or KGS) and mark each product with the KCs mark. An IECEx certificate does not replace KCs, but it lets the Korean body replace the factory audit and product testing with a review of the IECEx QAR and ExTR.

For how Korea fits alongside other national schemes, see Ex certification by country. For the two international reference systems, see ATEX vs IECEx.

Legal basis

KOSHA states that violations can be punished by up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million won. Since November 30, 2011, 11 types of explosion-protected electrical equipment have been customs-confirmation items, so certification status is checked at import.

Who must hold the certificate

• Manufacturers, domestic or foreign, hold the certificate. It stays valid as long as the periodic confirmation reviews are passed, so manufacturing and export to Korea can continue.
• Importers may obtain certification themselves only when importing no more than 10 units of a type (the quantity set by the Minister). That certificate covers only the one import.
• Foreign manufacturers may appoint a Korea-resident agent to apply for them (Enforcement Rule, Article 108). The documents KOSHA lists for foreign manufacturers include a power of attorney signed by the manufacturer and the agent's business registration, so plan on appointing one and confirm with the body if you want to apply without an agent.

Certification bodies

Three bodies are designated for explosion-protected equipment. The certificate is the same KCs certification whichever body issues it, and all three are also IECEx certification bodies (ExCBs):

Each body keeps its own list of foreign partners with memoranda of understanding (MOUs), which matters for the non-IECEx route described below.

Review types and time limits

The Enforcement Rule defines the reviews. KOSHA lists these processing periods, which exclude weekends, public holidays and time spent on corrections:

Article 111 requires confirmation at least once every two years. It can be extended to once every three years if the certificate has not been cancelled or subject to a marking ban or corrective order in the past three years and the last two confirmations met the Minister's criteria.

The IECEx route

Article 109(2) of the Enforcement Rule gives a partial exemption for equipment certified under the IECEx Scheme, limited to the items that are recognized as equal to or higher than the Korean certification criteria. KOSHA applies it to foreign manufacturers like this:

Documents for the IECEx route include the application and the exemption application, the IECEx CoC, the QAR, the ExTR cover and individual test reports with addenda and annexes, the drawings listed in the ExTR, a nameplate drawing, product photographs including the nameplate, a Korean-language instruction manual, and the power of attorney. The procedure notice sets one sample for Ex equipment, and the body can ask for more.

KOSHA's MOU partners are Nemko, PTB, TIIS, SITIIAS/NEPSI, NANIO CCVE, TestSafe, INERIS, SGS Baseefa, TÜV Nord CERT, Sira, DEKRA Certification B.V., QPS, TÜV SÜD and TÜV Rheinland. KTL and KGS publish their own lists. For Japanese certificates, KOSHA accepts TIIS pass certificates numbered "TC..." or "C..." but not "T..." format reports, and it reminds applicants that Japanese certificates expire.

Standards

The certification criteria are set out in Chapter 7 of the MoEL notice and its annexes, which follow IEC definitions and refer to KS C IEC 60079 and IEC 60079 parts. The Korean Industrial Standards KS C IEC 60079 series are identical (IDT) adoptions of the IEC parts; for example, KS C IEC 60079-0 was reconfirmed in 2024. In an IECEx-based application, the body compares the ExTR with the Korean criteria, so the edition of the IEC standard in the ExTR matters. See Ex standards for the IEC series.

Marking

Certified equipment carries the KCs mark, the national integrated certification mark (KC) with the supplementary design for safety certification. According to KOSHA:

• The mark must be at least 5 mm high, except on very small products or where a stamped or engraved inspection mark is used.
• The standard color is navy (KS A 0062 5PB 2/8); gold, silver or black may be used where needed.
• It is printed, engraved or similarly applied to the product surface so it is easy to see. Only where that is impractical, or for products bought in bulk by the end user and not distributed, can it go on the smallest package.

KOSHA's nameplate requirements for foreign manufacturers list the KCs mark, the certification body's name, the certification number, the explosion-protection marking according to the certification criteria, the serial number and the year and month of manufacture:

KCs mark   Certification body   Certificate no.
Ex db IIB T4 Gb       (explosion-protection marking)
Serial no.            Manufactured: year/month

See Ex markings explained for the Ex string itself.

KCs compared with ATEX and IECEx

Korea's IECEx member body is the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS).

Practical steps for exporters

1. Hold a current IECEx CoC with a valid QAR for the exact model; this gives the shortest Korean route.
2. Appoint a Korean agent and have the power of attorney signed, since KOSHA's document list assumes one.
3. Choose KOSHA, KTL or KGS, and check the body's MOU list if you rely on non-IECEx reports.
4. Prepare a Korean-language instruction manual and a nameplate drawing with the KCs mark, body name, certificate number, serial number and manufacturing date.
5. Plan for confirmation reviews every two years from the year after certification.

KCs covers explosion safety only. Other Korean product rules, such as those for radio equipment, apply separately. Selecting equipment for a classified area remains the employer's decision, based on its area classification. This page summarizes the certification rules; confirm details with the certification body.

Frequently asked questions

Is IECEx accepted in South Korea?

Not on its own. Korea requires KCs safety certification, but for IECEx-certified equipment the factory audit is replaced by a review of the IECEx QAR and product testing by a review of the ExTR, as allowed by Article 109 of the OSH Act Enforcement Rule.

Is ATEX accepted in Korea?

No. KOSHA states that an ATEX certificate is not valid in Korea by itself. Test results from a notified body that has an MOU with the Korean certification body can reduce testing, but that route keeps an on-site factory audit.

Who can apply for KCs Ex certification?

The manufacturer, including a foreign manufacturer, which may act through a Korean agent. An importer can certify only when importing 10 units or fewer of a type, and that certificate covers only that import.

How often are KCs Ex certificates checked?

The certification body carries out a confirmation review at least once every two years, starting the year after certification. It can be extended to every three years for manufacturers with a clean record.

What must be on a KCs Ex nameplate?

The KCs mark, the certification body's name, the certification number, the explosion-protection marking, the serial number and the year and month of manufacture.

Sources

1. KOSHA Certification Institute: KCs explosion-protection certification overview (Korean)
2. KOSHA Certification Institute: Review types, time limits and exemptions under Enforcement Rule Art. 109 (Korean)
3. KOSHA Certification Institute: Application, IECEx and MOU routes, documents (Korean)
4. KOSHA Certification Institute: KCs certification mark (Korean)
5. Korea Ministry of Government Legislation: Notice on Safety Certification of Protective Devices, MoEL No. 2021-22 (Korean)
6. KTL: KCs explosion-protection certification (Korean)
7. IECEx: Certification Bodies (ExCBs)
8. IECEx: Certified Equipment Scheme overview