CROSS-STANDARD public interest · LED luminaire
China-to-South Korea LED Luminaire Compliance Gap Matrix
AI-compiled from official public sources — cross-checked by multiple AI models, not human-verified. Informational only; see disclaimer. Public-interest, source-linked comparison of common China LED luminaire documentation against South Korea KC certification (Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act), KS C 7653 / IEC 60598 safety, KC-EMC (RRA), energy efficiency grade labelling (에너지소비효율등급) via KEMCO/KEA, and IEC 62471 photobiological safety requirements versus Chinese GB standards and CCC certification.
Dataset 2026-06-11
Last verified 2026-06-15
11 rows
GAP MATRIX
Compliance Gap Matrix
| Compliance item | Common China baseline | South Korea (KC / KATS) | Gap / action | Source + verification date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Efficiency Grade — Minimum Performance and Grade Label (에너지소비효율등급, KEA/KEMCO) | China's equivalent is GB 30255-2019 (Energy efficiency requirements for LED room luminaires). It defines three energy efficiency grades: Grade 1 (highest): ≥90 lm/W; Grade 2: ≥80 lm/W; Grade 3: ≥70 lm/W. Grade 3 is the minimum required for market entry in China. The China Energy Label (CEL) registration is mandatory for GB 30255-covered products; labels are administered by SAMR. GB 30255 does not comprehensively cover power factor, CRI minimums, or lifetime requirements in the same binding way as the Korean energy efficiency grade scheme.GB 30255-2019 — Energy efficiency requirements for LED room luminaires (SAC/SAMR) | Under South Korea's Energy Use Rationalization Act and the Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards (administered by the Korea Energy Agency (KEA) / KEMCO under MOTIE), designated LED lighting products must meet a Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) and carry the Korean energy efficiency grade label (에너지소비효율등급), which uses 5 grades from Grade 1 (most efficient) to Grade 5. Products falling below the minimum grade threshold cannot be sold. The applicable efficacy (lm/W), power factor, and related performance criteria are set in the KEA technical operating standard for the specific LED product category (e.g., LED lamps, LED downlights, LED converter-built-in luminaires) — verify the current KEA notice for the exact product type. Self-luminous flux maintenance, colour rendering, and rated lifetime requirements may also apply per the product-category technical standard. Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz grid (vs China's 50 Hz) means efficacy and input-power measurements must be re-confirmed under Korean test conditions.Energy Use Rationalization Act + Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards — energy efficiency grade label (에너지소비효율등급) and MEPS for designated LED products (KEA/KEMCO, MOTIE) | Korea's MEPS minimum grade and China's GB 30255 Grade 3 (≥70 lm/W) are set by different category-specific technical standards and are not directly comparable; a product meeting only CN Grade 3 may not satisfy the Korean minimum grade threshold for its product category. Korea applies a 5-grade scale (Grade 1–5) whereas China uses 3 grades; the calculation basis and product-category boundaries differ. Beyond efficacy, the Korean energy efficiency grade scheme can also require power factor, luminous flux maintenance, and rated lifetime conformity per the KEA product-category technical standard, which CN GB 30255 does not mandate uniformly. Manufacturers must re-test efficacy and input power under Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz conditions and register the product with KEA/KEMCO before affixing the grade label. Always verify the current KEA notice for the specific LED product sub-category.[INFORMATIONAL] Designated LED lighting products placed on the South Korea market must meet a Minimum Energy Performance Standard and carry the Korean energy efficiency grade label (에너지소비효율등급, Grade 1–5), registered with KEA/KEMCO under the Energy Use Rationalization Act. Chinese GB 30255 grades (3-grade scale) do not map directly to Korea's 5-grade scale, and a CN Grade 3 product may not meet the Korean minimum. Re-test efficacy and input power under Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz conditions and verify the exact thresholds in the current KEA technical operating standard for the specific product category before market entry. | Korea Energy Agency (KEA) / KEMCO — Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards Program2026-06-15 · reference |
| Energy Efficiency Grade Label Format and KEA Registration (Korea Energy Boundary) | China's China Energy Label (CEL) under GB 30255-2019 is mandatory for LED room luminaires. Products must be registered with the CQC (China Quality Certification Centre) or CECP (China Energy Conservation Programme) before affixing the CEL. The CEL shows Grade 1–3 based on absolute lm/W thresholds. There is no mutual recognition between the Korean KEA energy efficiency grade registry and the CN CEL registration scheme.GB 30255-2019 — Energy efficiency requirements for LED room luminaires (SAC/SAMR) China Energy Label (CEL) scheme — administered by SAMR/CQC/CECP |
Under the Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards (Korea Energy Agency / KEMCO, MOTIE), the manufacturer or importer of a designated LED lighting product must register the product's measured energy performance with KEA before placing it on the market and must display the prescribed Korean energy efficiency grade label (에너지소비효율등급) showing the 1–5 grade band, measured efficacy or power consumption, and the model identification. Mandatory steps before market entry: (1) test the product to the KEA product-category technical operating standard at a designated test institution; (2) determine the grade (1–5) from the measured energy efficiency index against the category boundary values; (3) register the product and report the test results to KEA via the energy efficiency reporting system; (4) display the grade label on the product, packaging, and Korean online product listings. The label artwork and content are prescribed by the KEA notice and differ in format from the EU A–G label.Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards — Korean energy efficiency grade label (에너지소비효율등급) registration and label format (KEA/KEMCO, MOTIE) | Korean KEA energy efficiency registration is a mandatory pre-market step with no CN equivalent registry. The Korean grade (1–5 scale) is determined from the measured energy efficiency index against KEA category boundaries, while the CN CEL grade uses absolute lm/W thresholds on a 3-grade scale — they are not directly comparable, and a product's CN grade does not determine its Korean grade. Both schemes are mandatory but non-mutual: a product must be registered separately with KEA for Korea and with CQC/CECP for CN. The Korean grade label artwork and required content are prescribed by KEA notice and differ from the CN CEL. Online retailers selling into Korea must display the Korean energy efficiency grade label on product listing pages — a requirement that CN-market product pages do not carry.[INFORMATIONAL] The Korean energy efficiency grade label (에너지소비효율등급) and KEA registration are mandatory for designated LED lighting products under the Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards. Scope clarification: the obligation applies where the LED product is a designated energy-using product — verify the product category in the current KEA notice. Chinese CEL registration does not substitute for KEA registration. The Korean 5-grade index and lm/W-based CN 3-grade are calculated differently and cannot be directly cross-mapped. Register with KEA before first market placement and display the prescribed grade label on product, packaging, and Korean online listings. | Korea Energy Agency (KEA) / KEMCO — Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards Program2026-06-15 · reference |
| EMC Emissions — KC-EMC Conducted and Radiated (KN 15 / RRA) | China's equivalent is GB 17743-2017 (Limits and methods of measurement of radio disturbance characteristics of electrical lighting and similar equipment), which is technically aligned with CISPR 15. For luminaires sold in China, GB 17743 compliance is required as part of CCC certification (which covers both safety and EMC for relevant product categories). Testing must be conducted at CNAS/CMA-accredited laboratories in China. Chinese CCC EMC test reports are not accepted under the South Korea KC-EMC conformity assessment pathway.GB 17743-2017 — Limits and methods of measurement of radio disturbance characteristics of electrical lighting and similar equipment (SAC/SAMR, aligned with CISPR 15) | LED luminaires placed on the South Korea market must comply with KC-EMC requirements administered by the Radio Research Agency (RRA) under the Radio Waves Act and the related EMC registration regime. The applicable Korean standard for lighting-equipment emissions is KN 15 (Korean National standard for limits and methods of measurement of radio disturbance characteristics of electrical lighting and similar equipment), which is technically aligned with CISPR 15. It covers conducted emissions on the mains supply terminals (150 kHz–30 MHz) and radiated emissions (30 MHz–300 MHz). For most lighting equipment, KC-EMC Registration of Conformity (자기적합확인 / supplier registration via RRA) is required, with testing at an RRA-designated EMC laboratory. Luminaires with integrated wireless functionality (e.g., Bluetooth dimming, Wi-Fi smart lighting) additionally require KC radio (방송통신기자재) certification for the radio module.Radio Waves Act + KC-EMC Registration of Conformity regime (Radio Research Agency, RRA) KN 15 — Limits and methods of measurement of radio disturbance characteristics of electrical lighting and similar equipment (Korean National standard, aligned with CISPR 15) |
KN 15 and GB 17743 are both derived from CISPR 15 and emission limits are largely harmonized. Key gaps: (1) Korea requires a separate KC-EMC Registration of Conformity via the RRA, distinct from the KC safety certification, with the KC-EMC mark and registration number; (2) KC-EMC testing must generally be conducted at an RRA-designated/accredited EMC laboratory — Chinese CNAS test reports are not directly accepted for KC-EMC registration unless issued under an applicable MRA; confirm the lab's RRA recognition; (3) if the luminaire incorporates wireless functionality, separate KC radio certification (방송통신기자재) for the radio module is required; (4) test conditions must reflect Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz mains (vs China's 50 Hz). The practical effect is that CN GB 17743 evidence reduces technical risk but cannot be reused directly — Korean KC-EMC registration is a separate process.[INFORMATIONAL] LED luminaires in South Korea require KC-EMC Registration of Conformity via the RRA under the Radio Waves Act. KN 15 is the applicable emissions standard and is largely harmonized with CN GB 17743 (both CISPR 15-derived), but KC-EMC registration is a separate process from KC safety, testing must generally be at an RRA-designated laboratory, and CN CCC EMC reports cannot be reused directly. Smart luminaires with wireless functions additionally require KC radio (방송통신기자재) certification for the radio module. Re-confirm test conditions under Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz mains. | National Radio Research Agency (RRA), Republic of Korea2026-06-15 · reference |
| EMC Immunity — KN 61547 (Lighting Equipment Immunity Requirements) | China's equivalent is GB/T 18595-2014 (General requirements for the electromagnetic immunity of lighting equipment), which is technically equivalent to IEC 61547:2009. GB/T 18595 is a recommended standard (T = tuijian, recommended) and is less strictly enforced than the CN emissions standard GB 17743. CCC certification for CN luminaires generally focuses more on safety and emissions than immunity. Passing KN 61547 immunity testing typically demonstrates performance beyond the requirements typically enforced in the CN market.GB/T 18595-2014 — General requirements for the electromagnetic immunity of lighting equipment (SAC/SAMR — recommended standard, aligned with IEC 61547:2009) | LED luminaires placed on the South Korea market must meet the KC-EMC immunity requirements under the Radio Waves Act and the RRA registration regime. KN 61547 (the Korean National standard for EMC immunity requirements of equipment for general lighting purposes) is technically aligned with IEC 61547 and is the applicable immunity standard. Tests include electrostatic discharge (ESD, IEC 61000-4-2), electrical fast transient/burst (IEC 61000-4-4), surge (IEC 61000-4-5), conducted RF disturbances (IEC 61000-4-6), power frequency magnetic field (IEC 61000-4-8), and voltage dips/interruptions (IEC 61000-4-11). For lighting equipment, immunity is assessed as part of the KC-EMC Registration of Conformity at an RRA-designated laboratory. Test conditions must reflect Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz mains (vs China's 50 Hz) for power-frequency and voltage-dip tests.Radio Waves Act + KC-EMC Registration of Conformity regime (Radio Research Agency, RRA) KN 61547 — Equipment for general lighting purposes — EMC immunity requirements (Korean National standard, aligned with IEC 61547) |
Korea mandates KC-EMC immunity conformity under KN 61547 as part of the RRA registration; CN GB/T 18595 immunity testing is a recommended standard and not universally enforced for all luminaire categories. Because KN 61547 and GB/T 18595 share the IEC 61547 technical base, products complying with one generally meet or exceed the other's technical levels. The practical gap is procedural and documentary: Korean KC-EMC registration requires immunity evidence assessed at an RRA-designated laboratory, whereas CN CCC documentation may not include equivalent immunity test reports. CN CNAS immunity reports cannot be reused directly for KC-EMC unless covered by an applicable MRA — confirm the test lab's RRA recognition. Re-confirm power-frequency and voltage-dip test conditions under Korea's 60 Hz mains.[INFORMATIONAL] LED luminaires must satisfy KC-EMC immunity requirements under KN 61547 (IEC 61547-aligned) as part of RRA registration in South Korea. Chinese GB/T 18595 is a recommended standard and does not substitute for KC-EMC immunity registration. The technical content is largely harmonized with IEC 61547, so products already tested to GB/T 18595 may have a reduced re-testing burden, but the immunity evidence must be assessed for KC-EMC at an RRA-designated laboratory and CN reports cannot be reused directly absent an applicable MRA. Re-confirm power-frequency and voltage-dip conditions under Korea's 60 Hz mains. | National Radio Research Agency (RRA), Republic of Korea2026-06-15 · reference |
| Photobiological Safety — Blue Light Hazard (IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 Risk Groups) | China has adopted GB/T 20145-2006 (Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems), which is technically equivalent to IEC 62471:2006. GB/T 20145 is a recommended standard (T = tuijian, recommended) and is not universally mandatory for all LED luminaires in the Chinese market. Enforcement and testing obligations are less prescriptive for residential luminaires compared to the Korean KC safety framework where photobiological safety is referenced.GB/T 20145-2006 — Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems (SAC/SAMR — recommended standard) | For LED luminaires entering the South Korea market, photobiological safety is assessed to IEC 62471 (Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems), adopted nationally as KS C IEC 62471. Where the KC safety certification for the relevant LED lighting category (e.g., KS C 7653 product standards) references photobiological safety, the risk group classification and supporting test data form part of the KC safety technical documentation submitted to the KATS-designated body. IEC/TR 62778 may be used as the practical method to evaluate blue light hazard from the risk group result. Risk groups range from RG0 (Exempt — no hazard) to RG3 (High risk); blue light weighted radiance and irradiance limits define the group. RG2 and RG3 products carry usage restrictions and warning requirements and must be declared in the safety documentation. Verify the current KC certification rule and KS product standard for the specific LED product type to confirm whether the photobiological assessment is a mandatory element.IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 — Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems (risk group classification, adopted as a Korean KS standard) Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act — KC safety certification (KATS) where photobiological safety is referenced in the applicable KS product standard |
Where the applicable Korean KS product standard and KC certification rule reference photobiological safety, a risk group classification and supporting IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 test data must be included in the KC safety technical documentation — and IEC/TR 62778 may be used to evaluate blue light hazard. CN GB/T 20145 is recommended-only and not routinely enforced for residential LED luminaires, so CN-spec products may lack a documented risk-group assessment. Although GB/T 20145 and KS C IEC 62471 share the IEC 62471 base, the Korean test data should be generated or reviewed for KC submission, and CN reports cannot be assumed acceptable without confirmation. RG2 luminaires must include warnings and usage instructions; RG3 products face significant market restrictions. Most general-purpose LED luminaires target RG0 or RG1 with no usage restrictions, but the classification must be formally documented for the KC file. Verify the current KC rule for the specific product type.[INFORMATIONAL] Photobiological risk group classification to IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 may be required as part of the KC safety documentation where the applicable KS product standard references it; IEC/TR 62778 may support the blue light hazard evaluation. Chinese GB/T 20145-2006 testing may be useful as a reference, but the Korean KC file should show a classification supported by acceptable test data — confirm whether CN reports are accepted. Document the risk group formally; RG2/RG3 products require additional warnings and usage restrictions. Verify the current KC rule for the specific LED product type. | Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), MOTIE2026-06-15 · reference |
| Blue Light Hazard Marking / Warning in KC Safety Documentation (IEC/TR 62778) | China's Energy Label (China Energy Label, CEL) mandatory under GB 30255 (LED room luminaires energy efficiency) does not include a blue light hazard class. The Chinese labelling regime focuses on energy efficiency grades (Grade 1–3) and lumen output. There is no CN regulatory requirement to display photobiological risk group information on luminaire packaging as a labelling class; any blue light handling is via the recommended GB/T 20145 rather than a mandatory marking scheme.GB 30255-2019 — Energy efficiency requirements for LED room luminaires (SAC/SAMR — no blue light class requirement) | In South Korea, blue light hazard information is handled through the product safety standard and KC safety documentation rather than a dedicated energy-label class. The applicable KS luminaire/lamp safety standards (KS C 7653 and the relevant KS C IEC product standards) incorporate or reference photobiological safety so that products classified RG2 or above must carry appropriate warning markings and usage instructions, with the risk group derived from IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 (commonly evaluated via IEC/TR 62778). The required marking and instruction content is set by the applicable KS product standard and KC certification rule. For general-purpose RG0/RG1 luminaires, no special blue light warning marking is typically required, but the risk group must still be documented in the KC technical file. There is no separate Korean energy-label blue light class equivalent to the EU label; the obligation sits within product safety.KS C 7653 / KS C IEC product standards + KC certification rule — photobiological warning marking and usage instructions for RG2+ products (KATS) IEC/TR 62778 — Application of IEC 62471 for the assessment of blue light hazard to light sources and luminaires |
Korea handles blue light hazard within product safety (KS product standard + KC certification) rather than as a separate energy-label class — so there is no Korean equivalent of the EU energy-label blue light class, and equally no CN mandatory counterpart. For Korean market entry, the gap is that CN-spec products may lack documented IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 risk-group evidence and the warning markings required for RG2+ products. Manufacturers should: (1) document a photobiological risk assessment, commonly using IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 testing and IEC/TR 62778 for blue light evaluation; (2) add the warning markings and usage instructions prescribed by the applicable KS product standard where the product is RG2 or above; (3) include the risk-group result in the KC safety technical file even for RG0/RG1 products. This is part of the KC safety conformity rather than a standalone label.[INFORMATIONAL] South Korea handles blue light hazard within KC product safety rather than as a separate energy-label class, so there is no Korean energy-label blue light class and no CN mandatory equivalent. Chinese manufacturers should document the photobiological risk group using IEC 62471 / KS C IEC 62471 (with IEC/TR 62778 for blue light evaluation), add warning markings and instructions for RG2+ products per the applicable KS product standard, and include the risk-group result in the KC safety technical file. Verify the current KS product standard and KC certification rule for the specific LED product type. | Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), MOTIE2026-06-15 · reference |
| RoHS-Equivalent — Hazardous Substance Restrictions (Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles) | China's equivalent is GB/T 26572-2011 (Requirements for concentration limits for certain restricted substances in electrical and electronic products), covering the original 6 RoHS substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE) with the same concentration thresholds as EU RoHS. China RoHS 2 (Management Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products, SJ/T 11364-2014) requires a hazardous substance disclosure label (orange for contains substances above threshold / green for below threshold) on EEE products sold in China. As of 2026, the 4 phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) added by EU Directive 2015/863 are not yet in the CN mandatory restricted list under GB/T 26572.GB/T 26572-2011 — Requirements for concentration limits for certain restricted substances in EEE (SAC/SAMR — covers original 6 substances) SJ/T 11364-2014 — Marking for the restricted use of hazardous substances in electronic and electrical products (China RoHS 2 disclosure label) |
South Korea's RoHS-equivalent regime is the Act on the Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles (administered by the Ministry of Environment), which restricts hazardous substances in designated electrical and electronic equipment placed on the Korean market. The restricted substances mirror the EU RoHS list: Lead (Pb) ≤0.1%, Mercury (Hg) ≤0.1%, Cadmium (Cd) ≤0.01%, Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) ≤0.1%, Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) ≤0.1%, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) ≤0.1%, and the four phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP each ≤0.1% (the phthalates were phased into the Korean restricted list following the EU expansion). Producers must ensure designated EEE complies with the maximum concentration values in homogeneous materials and must maintain supporting test data and a declaration of compliance; the Ministry of Environment enforces via market surveillance. Verify the current designated-product scope and the applicable substance list and effective dates, since the phthalate restriction phase-in and product scope are set by the enforcement decree and MOE notices.Act on the Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles — hazardous substance restrictions for designated EEE (Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea) | The most significant gap is the 4 phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP), which Korea restricts under the Act on the Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles but which are not in CN GB/T 26572 — CN-compliant products have not been tested for phthalates under CN RoHS. For Korean market entry, manufacturers must test all homogeneous materials (especially plastics, cables, insulation, gaskets) for the 4 phthalates in addition to the original 6 substances. Additionally, Korea requires producers of designated EEE to ensure compliance with the maximum concentration values and maintain supporting documentation/declaration for Ministry of Environment surveillance; CN RoHS 2 focuses on a disclosure label rather than a market-access restriction. Verify the current designated-product scope and effective dates for the phthalate restriction under the Korean enforcement decree and MOE notices.[INFORMATIONAL] South Korea's RoHS-equivalent restrictions under the Act on the Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles apply to designated EEE including LED luminaires and restrict the original 6 RoHS substances plus the 4 phthalates not covered by CN GB/T 26572. Manufacturers must test for the 4 phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) — CN RoHS compliance alone is insufficient — and maintain producer compliance documentation for Ministry of Environment surveillance. Verify the current designated-product scope and phthalate effective dates in the Korean enforcement decree and MOE notices. | Ministry of Environment / Korea Law Information Center (law.go.kr), Republic of Korea2026-06-15 · reference |
| K-REACH Chemical Registration and Information Obligations vs CN Chemical Regulations | China does not have a direct equivalent to the K-REACH article-information obligation. The closest CN instruments are: MEP (Ministry of Ecology and Environment) Order No. 12 (2010, revised) on new chemical substance registration; GB 30981-2020 (Rules for the classification and labelling of chemicals) for hazardous chemicals labelling; and the Measures for the Environmental Management of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order 12, 2020). None of these create an equivalent obligation to proactively provide prescribed information when a designated substance of concern is present in an article above the applicable threshold.MEE Order No. 12 (2020) — Measures for the Environmental Management of New Chemical Substances (China) GB 30981-2020 — Rules for the classification and labelling of chemicals (China) |
South Korea's Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances (K-REACH, administered by the Ministry of Environment) governs chemical substances manufactured or imported into Korea. For finished articles such as LED luminaires, the most relevant K-REACH duty is the information obligation for substances of concern in articles: where an article contains a substance designated by the Ministry of Environment (e.g., a substance subject to authorization or restriction, or a substance of high concern) above the applicable threshold (commonly 0.1% w/w), the supplier/importer must provide prescribed information to recipients and, on request, to the public. Korea also maintains a list of substances subject to reporting/notification, and importers of articles containing such substances above the threshold may have a reporting duty. K-REACH compliance is an ongoing obligation tied to the evolving Korean lists, not a one-time test. Verify the current Korean lists and thresholds with the Ministry of Environment / National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER).Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances (K-REACH) — information and reporting obligations for substances of concern in articles (Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea) Korean lists of substances subject to authorization / restriction / reporting — maintained by MOE / NIER (verify current entries and thresholds) |
K-REACH article-information and reporting duties are ongoing compliance obligations with no CN equivalent. Chinese LED luminaire manufacturers entering the Korean market must: (1) establish a process to screen their supply chain against the Korean lists of designated substances (authorization/restriction/reporting) as they are updated; (2) be prepared to provide the prescribed information to recipients (and the public on request) where a designated substance is present above the threshold (commonly 0.1% w/w); (3) determine whether the importer of record bears a reporting duty for articles containing such substances above the threshold. This requires a supply chain management process and a live connection to the Korean MOE/NIER lists — not a one-time factory test. The Korean lists differ from the EU ECHA Candidate List, so EU REACH SVHC screening does not automatically satisfy K-REACH.[INFORMATIONAL] K-REACH article-information and reporting duties are mandatory ongoing obligations for LED luminaire importers or Korean producers. There is no CN equivalent, and EU REACH SVHC screening does not automatically satisfy K-REACH because the Korean designated-substance lists differ. Chinese manufacturers must establish a process to track the Korean MOE/NIER lists and screen their supply chain, and be prepared to provide prescribed information where a designated substance is present above the applicable threshold. Verify the current Korean lists and thresholds with the Ministry of Environment / NIER. | Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea (K-REACH)2026-06-15 · reference |
| KC Mark Overall Process and Technical Documentation vs CCC / CQC | In China, the primary mandatory certification for luminaires sold in the residential market is CCC (China Compulsory Certification), administered by CNCA (Certification and Accreditation Administration of China). CCC requires mandatory third-party certification by a CNCA-authorized certification body (e.g., CQC — China Quality Certification Centre). CQC voluntary certification is also available for products not covered by mandatory CCC. For wireless-enabled luminaires (e.g., smart LED with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth), SRRC (State Radio Regulation Commission) type approval is additionally required in China. CCC certification bodies are not recognised for South Korea KC marking purposes.CNCA-C10-01 — CCC certification rules for luminaires (CNCA/CQC) SRRC type approval — required for wireless-enabled luminaires in China |
The KC Mark for LED luminaires in South Korea is obtained under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act (administered by KATS under MOTIE). The conformity route depends on the product's risk class: (1) KC Safety Certification (안전인증) — mandatory third-party certification with type testing and factory inspection for higher-risk products; (2) Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation (안전확인) — supplier obtains a test report from a designated body and registers, for medium-risk products; (3) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (공급자적합성확인) — supplier self-declares based on testing, for lower-risk products. Required steps: compile a technical file (design data, component specs, test reports to the applicable KS standard such as KS C 7653 / IEC 60598); have a designated test body (KTC, KTL, KTR) conduct testing; obtain the certificate or complete the confirmation/registration with KATS; affix the KC Mark and the certification/registration number; and (for the KC-EMC aspect) complete the separate RRA registration. An importer/agent in Korea is typically the certificate holder or responsible party. CCC certification bodies are not recognised for KC marking purposes.Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act — KC Safety Certification / Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation / Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (KATS, MOTIE) KS C 7653 / IEC 60598 — applicable safety standards; designated test bodies KTC / KTL / KTR |
Both Korea (KC) and China (CCC) use a risk-tiered mandatory certification model, but the schemes are parallel with no mutual recognition — a product requires separate technical files, test reports, and certification/registration for each market. Key Korea-specific points vs CN: (1) the Korean route is risk-class-dependent (KC Safety Certification vs Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation vs Supplier's Declaration of Conformity), and the higher tier requires factory inspection — verify the correct route for the specific LED luminaire; (2) testing must be at a KATS-designated body (KTC, KTL, KTR) to the applicable KS standard (KS C 7653 / IEC 60598) — CN CCC reports under GB 7000.1 are not accepted directly; (3) KC-EMC is a separate RRA registration distinct from KC safety; (4) Korean test conditions reflect 220 V / 60 Hz (vs China's 50 Hz). Korean energy efficiency grade registration (KEA/KEMCO) and K-REACH duties are additional obligations not covered by CCC. An importer/agent in Korea typically holds the certificate or acts as the responsible party.[INFORMATIONAL] The KC Mark for LED luminaires requires a risk-class-dependent conformity route (KC Safety Certification, Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation, or Supplier's Declaration of Conformity) under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, with testing at a KATS-designated body (KTC/KTL/KTR) to KS C 7653 / IEC 60598. KC and CCC are parallel non-mutual processes; CN CCC reports are not accepted directly. KC-EMC (RRA) registration, energy efficiency grade registration (KEA/KEMCO), and K-REACH duties add to the scope. Re-confirm test conditions under Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz mains and verify the correct conformity route for the specific product. | Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), MOTIE2026-06-15 · reference |
| Electrical Safety — General Luminaire (KC Safety + KS C 7653 / IEC 60598) | China's current general luminaire safety standard is GB/T 7000.1-2023 (Luminaires — Part 1: General requirements and tests), replacing GB 7000.1-2015 from 1 January 2026. The edition change also changes the standard designation from mandatory GB to recommended GB/T; CCC obligations for in-scope luminaires remain governed by the applicable CNCA rules and implementation requirements rather than by the GB/T designation alone. CCC testing is conducted by CNCA-authorized laboratories. CCC certification covers safety aspects broadly comparable to GB/T 7000.1, but the conformity assessment process, documentation language, and KC marking obligations are separate and non-mutual with the Korean KC scheme.GB/T 7000.1-2023 — Luminaires — Part 1: General requirements and tests (replaces GB 7000.1-2015 from 1 January 2026; recommended GB/T designation) CNCA-C10-01 — CCC certification rules for luminaires |
LED luminaires placed on the South Korea market must comply with the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act and carry the KC Mark. Electrical safety is assessed to the applicable Korean standard, principally KS C 7653 (the Korean standard for LED luminaires) together with the KS C IEC 60598 series (Luminaires — General requirements and tests), which is the national adoption of IEC 60598-1. Key requirements cover protection against electric shock (touch current, insulation resistance, creepage and clearance distances), thermal protection, mechanical strength, and wiring terminals — tested under Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz supply conditions. Depending on the product's risk class, the conformity route is KC Safety Certification (with type testing and factory inspection), Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation, or Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. Testing must be conducted by a KATS-designated body such as KTC, KTL, or KTR, and the manufacturer/importer must compile a technical file and affix the KC Mark with the certification/registration number.Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act — KC safety certification framework for luminaires (KATS, MOTIE) KS C 7653 — LED luminaires (Korean standard); KS C IEC 60598 series — Luminaires — General requirements and tests (national adoption of IEC 60598-1) |
Both Korea and China use mandatory third-party certification for in-scope luminaires (KC vs CCC), with no mutual recognition. Korea's route is risk-class-dependent (KC Safety Certification with factory inspection for higher-risk products, vs Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation or Supplier's Declaration of Conformity). KS C 7653 / KS C IEC 60598 and GB 7000.1 share a common IEC 60598-1 base, but creepage/clearance assumptions, some test conditions, and the 220 V / 60 Hz vs 220 V / 50 Hz supply difference mean existing CN test reports cannot be directly reused for KC — testing to the applicable KS standard by a KATS-designated body (KTC/KTL/KTR) is required. The KC documentation is in Korean and submitted to KATS or the designated body; an importer/agent in Korea typically holds the certificate or acts as the responsible party. Re-confirm thermal and input-power-related tests under Korea's 60 Hz mains.[INFORMATIONAL] The KC Mark under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act is mandatory for LED luminaires entering the South Korea market, with safety assessed to KS C 7653 / KS C IEC 60598 (IEC 60598-1-based) at a KATS-designated body (KTC/KTL/KTR). The conformity route depends on the product's risk class. Chinese CCC certification and GB/T 7000.1-2023 evidence do not satisfy the Korean KC pathway, and the 220 V / 60 Hz supply difference means re-testing is generally required. Manufacturers typically test to the applicable KS standard, compile a Korean-language technical file, and use a Korean importer/agent as certificate holder. | Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), MOTIE2026-06-15 · reference |
| LED Driver / Control Gear Safety (KS C IEC 61347-2-13) | China's equivalent is GB 19510.14-2014 (Control gear for lamps — Particular requirements for DC or AC supplied electronic controlgear for LED modules), which is technically aligned with IEC 61347-2-13. CCC certification may be required for LED drivers in certain power ranges sold in the Chinese residential market. Chinese CCC test reports under GB 19510.14 are not accepted under the South Korea KC conformity assessment pathway.GB 19510.14-2014 — Control gear for lamps — Part 2-13: Particular requirements for DC or AC supplied electronic controlgear for LED modules (SAC/SAMR) | LED drivers (control gear for LED modules) intended for the South Korea market must comply with the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act and carry the KC Mark where in scope. The applicable Korean safety standard is KS C IEC 61347-2-13 (Lamp controlgear — Part 2-13: Particular requirements for DC or AC supplied electronic controlgear for LED modules), the national adoption of IEC 61347-2-13. It specifies isolation class, dielectric strength, thermal endurance, and safety marking requirements for LED drivers, tested under Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz conditions. If the driver is sold as a separate product (not integrated into the luminaire), it requires its own KC conformity (route depending on risk class — KC Safety Certification, Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation, or Supplier's Declaration of Conformity) in addition to the luminaire-level compliance, with testing at a KATS-designated body (KTC, KTL, KTR).Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act — KC safety framework (KATS, MOTIE) KS C IEC 61347-2-13 — Lamp controlgear — Part 2-13: Particular requirements for DC or AC supplied electronic controlgear for LED modules (national adoption of IEC 61347-2-13) |
KS C IEC 61347-2-13 and GB 19510.14 are both derived from IEC 61347-2-13 and are largely harmonized in technical content. Key Korea-specific gaps: (1) if the LED driver is sold as a standalone product separately from the luminaire, separate KC conformity and KC marking is required for the driver itself, with the route depending on its risk class; (2) testing must be at a KATS-designated body (KTC/KTL/KTR) to KS C IEC 61347-2-13 — CN GB 19510.14 CCC reports cannot be reused directly; (3) Chinese CCC covers certain power ranges — check whether the specific driver power/voltage range triggers CCC or only voluntary CQC in CN, and separately determine the Korean KC scope/route; (4) test conditions must reflect Korea's 220 V / 60 Hz mains (vs China's 50 Hz). A Korean importer/agent typically holds the certificate or acts as the responsible party.[INFORMATIONAL] LED drivers placed on the South Korea market as standalone products require KC marking under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, with safety assessed to KS C IEC 61347-2-13 (IEC 61347-2-13-based) at a KATS-designated body (KTC/KTL/KTR); the conformity route depends on risk class. Chinese GB 19510.14 CCC certification does not satisfy the Korean pathway, and the 220 V / 60 Hz difference generally requires re-testing. When the driver is integrated into a luminaire and not sold separately, its safety evidence forms part of the luminaire KC technical file alongside KS C 7653 / KS C IEC 60598 evidence. | Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), MOTIE2026-06-15 · reference |
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- Korea Energy Agency (KEA) / KEMCO — Energy Efficiency Labelling and Standards Program · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 2 rows
- National Radio Research Agency (RRA), Republic of Korea · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 2 rows
- Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), MOTIE · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 5 rows
- Ministry of Environment / Korea Law Information Center (law.go.kr), Republic of Korea · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 1 rows
- Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea (K-REACH) · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 1 rows