In August 2026 the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) published Notice No. 2026-166, revising seven electrical appliance safety standards (KC standards) pursuant to Articles 5(3), 15(4) and 23(4) of the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act. The revision implements the WTO/TBT Agreement and international arrangements on electrical appliance safety management such as those of IECEE, and brings Korean safety standards into line with the latest editions of international standards. The notice took effect on the date of publication, and the specific application and transition arrangements for each standard are governed by its own supplementary provisions.

What the revision covers

The seven revised standards span household appliances and lighting equipment. On the appliance side, four KC 60335 series standards are affected: particular requirements for vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances (KC 60335-2-2), warming plates and similar appliances (KC 60335-2-12), room heaters (KC 60335-2-30) and electric massage appliances (KC 60335-2-32). On the lighting side, three standards are affected: performance of double-capped fluorescent lamps (KC 60081), performance requirements for self-ballasted lamps (KC 60969) and a.c. and/or d.c. supplied electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps (KC 61347-2-3). All of these correspond to IEC standards of the same name, so the revision in substance updates their technical content to the latest IEC editions. Details can be found in the Notices and Announcements section of the KATS website.

KC certification is the mandatory certification scheme operated by Korea under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act. Products are managed in three categories according to risk level: safety certification, safety confirmation and supplier's declaration of conformity. Household vacuum cleaners, heaters, massage appliances and ballasts all fall within scope, and products exported to Korea must be tested and certified against the relevant KC standards and bear the KC mark before they can be sold.

China is a major source of household appliances and lighting products for Korea. Exporters should follow the content of these seven revised standards and the transition periods set out in each supplementary provision, assess the validity of product designs, test reports and certificates against the latest IEC requirements, and where necessary start difference testing and certificate renewal early so that the standard change does not disrupt customs clearance or sales in Korea.

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