CROSS-STANDARD public interest · Refrigerator / cold appliance
China-to-South Korea Household Refrigerator 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 Chinese household refrigerator compliance (CCC, GB 4706.13, GB 12021.2) against South Korea's KC Mark, the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, KS C IEC 60335-2-24 safety, KC-EMC, the energy efficiency grade label (KEMCO/KEA), the Clean Air Conservation Act, and K-REACH chemical requirements.
Dataset 2026-06-11
Last verified 2026-06-15
7 rows
GAP MATRIX
Compliance Gap Matrix
| Compliance item | Common China baseline | South Korea (KC / KATS) | Gap / action | Source + verification date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC-EMC — Household Refrigerating Appliances (Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act + KN 14 series) | China's EMC requirements for household appliances (including refrigerators) are primarily governed by GB 4343.1-2018 (Electromagnetic disturbance characteristics of household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — Part 1: Emission limits and measurement methods; mandatory, equivalent to CISPR 14-1:2016) and GB/T 4343.2-2020 (Part 2: Immunity — product family standard; recommended, equivalent to CISPR 14-2:2015). For harmonic emissions, GB 17625.1-2022 (mandatory, IDT IEC 61000-3-2:2020) applies. These standards are enforced under the CCC mandatory certification regime administered by SAMR/CNCA. Test reports generated by CNAS-accredited Chinese laboratories against GB 4343.1 are not directly accepted as the basis for a KC-EMC registration under the Korean Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act.GB 4343.1-2018 — Electromagnetic disturbance characteristics of household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — Part 1: Emission limits and measurement methods (mandatory; equivalent to CISPR 14-1:2016; enforced under CCC by SAMR/CNCA) GB/T 4343.2-2020 — Part 2: Immunity — product family standard (recommended; equivalent to CISPR 14-2:2015) GB 17625.1-2022 — Limits for harmonic current emissions ≤ 16 A/phase (mandatory; IDT IEC 61000-3-2:2020) |
Household refrigerating appliances placed on the South Korean market must satisfy KC-EMC requirements administered under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act (KATS/MOTIE) and the electromagnetic compatibility framework operated by the National Radio Research Agency (RRA). The applicable emission standard for household appliances (including refrigerators) is KN 14-1 (Korean national standard transposing CISPR 14-1, emission requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus) and the immunity standard is KN 14-2 (transposing CISPR 14-2). Where relevant, KN 61000-3-2 (harmonic current emissions) and KN 61000-3-3 (voltage fluctuations and flicker) apply as supplementary standards. KC-EMC conformity is demonstrated through testing at a KATS/RRA-recognised laboratory; for most household appliances this is registered under the KC mark together with the safety conformity, and the resulting KC-EMC registration is held by the manufacturer or its Korean importer.Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act (전기용품 및 생활용품 안전관리법) — KATS/MOTIE — EMC requirements for electrical appliances KN 14-1 — Electromagnetic compatibility — Requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — Part 1: Emission (Korean national standard transposing CISPR 14-1) KN 14-2 — Part 2: Immunity — product family standard (transposing CISPR 14-2) KN 61000-3-2 — Limits for harmonic current emissions (≤ 16 A/phase input) — supplementary where applicable KN 61000-3-3 — Voltage fluctuations and flicker — supplementary where applicable RRA (National Radio Research Agency) — administration of KC-EMC conformity and recognised test laboratories |
Because both KN 14-1 and GB 4343.1 transpose the CISPR 14-1 family, the underlying limits and measurement methods are broadly aligned for many refrigerator types; the gaps are procedural and grid-related: (1) Re-registration obligation — KC-EMC conformity must reference the KN-designated standards and be supported by a test report from a KATS/RRA-recognised laboratory; a CNAS report cannot substitute without re-issuance, and the KC mark/registration is held by a Korean responsible party. (2) Grid difference — South Korea operates a 220 V / 60 Hz supply versus China's 220 V / 50 Hz; inverter-driven variable-speed compressors and switched-mode supplies may produce frequency-dependent conducted-emission and harmonic behaviour that differs at 60 Hz, so manufacturers should verify that existing 50 Hz GB 4343.1 / GB 17625.1 test configurations cover the 60 Hz operating point before attempting any data re-use. (3) Immunity coverage — confirm KN 14-2 immunity test coverage for inverter-controlled models.[INFORMATIONAL] KC-EMC conformity under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act is mandatory for South Korean market placement of household refrigerators. KN 14-1 (emission) and KN 14-2 (immunity) are the applicable Korean national standards. Chinese CCC EMC test data (GB 4343.1-2018) cannot be directly used for KC-EMC registration; testing at a KATS/RRA-recognised laboratory and a Korean-held KC registration are required. The 60 Hz Korean grid versus China's 50 Hz, and inverter-compressor models, warrant particular attention to KN 14 test coverage. | National Law Information Center (law.go.kr) / KATS2026-06-15 · reference |
| Minimum Energy Performance Standard — Household Refrigerating Appliances (Energy Use Rationalization Act + KS C IEC 62552) | China's mandatory energy efficiency standard for household refrigerating appliances is GB 12021.2-2015 (Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for household refrigerators). It establishes energy efficiency grades (Grade 1 most efficient, Grade 5 minimum threshold) and minimum annual energy consumption limits. The standard is mandatory (GB) and enforced by SAMR under the energy labelling system administered by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Products must display the China Energy Label (CEL) before sale. The GB 12021.2 framework uses a different test methodology and grade calculation basis than Korea's Energy Use Rationalization Act program — Chinese energy grades and Korean efficiency grades are not directly comparable.GB 12021.2-2015 — Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for household refrigerators (mandatory; enforced by SAMR/NDRC under China Energy Label system) GB/T 8059-2016 — Household and similar refrigerating appliances (test method standard, aligned with IEC 62552 series) |
The Energy Use Rationalization Act (에너지이용 합리화법) and its Energy Efficiency Label and Standard Program (운영규정), administered by MOTIE and operated by the Korea Energy Agency (KEA, the body delivering KEMCO programmes), set mandatory energy efficiency requirements for household refrigerating appliances sold in South Korea. The programme applies to refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator-freezers and Kimchi refrigerators. Key requirements include: (1) Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) — each model must meet a minimum efficiency threshold expressed via a relative efficiency ratio calculated from measured energy consumption against a standard consumption formula for the appliance's rated volume and class; products failing the minimum cannot be sold; (2) Assignment of an efficiency grade on a 1-to-5 scale (Grade 1 most efficient, Grade 5 the minimum threshold); (3) Measurement to KS C IEC 62552 (Household refrigerating appliances — Characteristics and test methods, adopting the IEC 62552 series); (4) Mandatory model registration with the Korea Energy Agency before sale. Korea periodically tightens the grade boundaries and MEPS, so previously qualifying models can be re-graded or fall below MEPS on revision.Energy Use Rationalization Act (에너지이용 합리화법) — MOTIE — enabling framework for efficiency standards and labelling Energy Efficiency Label and Standard Program operating regulation (효율관리기자재 운용규정) — Korea Energy Agency (KEA / KEMCO) KS C IEC 62552 — Household refrigerating appliances — Characteristics and test methods (Korean adoption of the IEC 62552 series) Korea Energy Agency (한국에너지공단, KEA) — model registration and grade administration |
Three major gaps exist between Chinese energy compliance and Korea's efficiency requirements: (1) Different grade calculation and MEPS — Korea's Energy Use Rationalization Act program uses its own relative-efficiency-ratio methodology and MEPS thresholds, distinct from GB 12021.2-2015; a Chinese Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating does NOT guarantee compliance with Korean MEPS or map to a Korean grade without independent recalculation to the Korean methodology. (2) KEA registration — manufacturers must register each model with the Korea Energy Agency before sale; there is no equivalent Chinese pre-registration with the Korean authority. (3) Test methodology and grid — measurement to KS C IEC 62552 is required; although GB/T 8059-2016 also aligns with IEC 62552, the Korean program may apply its own annual-consumption and test-condition specifics (including the 60 Hz grid), so Chinese test data should be re-verified or re-measured to KS C IEC 62552 for the Korean grade assignment. Korea periodically tightens MEPS, which can disqualify models previously meeting only Chinese standards.[INFORMATIONAL] Korea's Energy Use Rationalization Act efficiency requirements are legally binding for sale of household refrigerators in South Korea. Chinese GB 12021.2 energy grades do not substitute for Korean MEPS compliance — independent measurement to KS C IEC 62552 and grade recalculation to the Korean methodology are required. Korea Energy Agency registration is a hard gate: no registered grade plus failing MEPS means the model cannot legally be sold. | Korea Energy Agency (KEA / KEMCO)2026-06-15 · reference |
| Energy Efficiency Grade Label — Korean 1-to-5 Grade Label + KEA Registration | China's energy labelling for household refrigerators is governed by the China Energy Label (CEL) system under the Measures for the Administration of Energy Efficiency Labels (NDRC/SAMR, revised 2016). The China Energy Label displays a 1-to-5 grade scale (1 highest, 5 minimum threshold) and annual energy consumption. Labels are administered by the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) under NDRC/SAMR. Although both China and Korea use a nominal 1-to-5 grade structure, the underlying calculation methods, test conditions and grade boundaries differ; a Chinese grade does not map to a Korean grade. Manufacturers self-declare the Chinese grade based on testing against GB 12021.2 and there is no registration with the Korean authority.Measures for the Administration of Energy Efficiency Labels (NDRC/SAMR 2016 revision) — China Energy Label framework GB 12021.2-2015 — Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for household refrigerators (underlying grade standard) |
Under the Energy Use Rationalization Act and the Korea Energy Agency's Energy Efficiency Label and Standard Program, all household refrigerating appliances sold in South Korea must bear the Korean energy efficiency grade label displaying the 1-to-5 efficiency grade (Grade 1 most efficient), the monthly or annual energy consumption (kWh), the rated volume, CO2 emission information, and the model identifier. The supplier must measure the model to KS C IEC 62552, calculate the grade, register the model with the Korea Energy Agency (KEA) before sale, and affix the official label. The label format, colours, and content are prescribed by the program operating regulation; dealers must display the label on the product and, increasingly, in online listings. Grades and label format are revised periodically and suppliers must re-register on revision.Energy Use Rationalization Act (에너지이용 합리화법) — energy efficiency grade labelling mandate Energy Efficiency Label and Standard Program operating regulation (효율관리기자재 운용규정) — KEA / KEMCO — label format and registration rules KS C IEC 62552 — Household refrigerating appliances — Characteristics and test methods (basis for grade measurement) Korea Energy Agency model registration system (energy.or.kr) — mandatory pre-sale registration |
Two mandatory actions with no direct Chinese equivalent for Korea: (1) KEA registration — each model must be registered with the Korea Energy Agency before the first unit is sold in Korea; the registration requires the model identifier, technical parameters, the KS C IEC 62552-measured consumption, the calculated grade, and the label file. (2) Korean energy efficiency grade label — the official 1-to-5 grade label (per the program operating regulation) must be affixed to the product and shown at point of sale and in online listings. The Chinese CEL label cannot be reused as the Korean label even though both are nominally 1-to-5 — the grade boundaries, label graphics, language, and registration authority differ. Failure to register with KEA or to display the correct label is a market-surveillance and penalty trigger under the Energy Use Rationalization Act.[INFORMATIONAL] Korea Energy Agency registration and the Korean energy efficiency grade label are mandatory hard gates for selling household refrigerators in South Korea. Chinese exporters must complete KEA registration (with KS C IEC 62552-based measurement and Korean grade calculation) before any unit is sold. The Chinese CEL label does not satisfy Korean labelling obligations despite both using a 1-to-5 scale. | Korea Energy Agency (KEA / KEMCO)2026-06-15 · reference |
| KC Mark — Multi-Regime Conformity (KC Safety + KC-EMC + Energy Efficiency Grade) | In China, household refrigerating appliances require China Compulsory Certification (CCC) covering both safety (GB 4706.13) and EMC (GB 4343.1) before sale. CCC is a mandatory third-party certification administered by CNCA-designated certification bodies (CABs); it does not involve manufacturer self-declaration. Energy labelling (China Energy Label based on GB 12021.2) is a separate mandatory requirement administered by NDRC/SAMR. There is no single KC-equivalent mark in China: CCC covers safety/EMC, the China Energy Label covers energy, and these are separately issued and displayed.CCC (China Compulsory Certification) — safety (GB 4706.13) + EMC (GB 4343.1); mandatory; administered by CNCA/SAMR China Energy Label — Measures for the Administration of Energy Efficiency Labels (NDRC/SAMR); based on GB 12021.2-2015 |
Household refrigerating appliances placed on the South Korean market must bear the KC mark and meet the separate energy efficiency grade obligation. For a standard household refrigerator this means, at minimum: (1) KC Safety conformity under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, tested to KS C IEC 60335-2-24, generally via KC Safety Confirmation (안전확인); (2) KC-EMC conformity under the same Act and RRA framework, tested to KN 14-1 / KN 14-2; and (3) an energy efficiency grade assigned and registered with the Korea Energy Agency under the Energy Use Rationalization Act, with the Korean grade label affixed. If the appliance includes wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for smart-home features), KC certification for radio equipment under the Radio Waves Act (administered by RRA) also applies. KATS (under MOTIE) oversees product safety; the KC mark is applied by the manufacturer or its Korean importer after the required testing and registration. The KC mark must be visible, legible, and durable on the product or its packaging together with the certificate/registration number.Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act — KC Safety (KS C IEC 60335-2-24) + KC-EMC (KN 14 series) Energy Use Rationalization Act — energy efficiency grade and Korea Energy Agency registration Radio Waves Act (전파법) — KC certification for radio equipment if wireless connectivity present (administered by RRA) KATS / MOTIE — product safety oversight and KC mark framework KS C IEC 60335-2-24 / KS C IEC 60335-1 / KN 14-1 / KN 14-2 / KS C IEC 62552 — underlying technical standards |
Chinese manufacturers must build a complete Korean conformity package — CCC and the China Energy Label do not substitute for any Korean requirement: (1) KC Safety Confirmation (안전확인) test report from a KATS-designated body (KTC, KTL, KTR) to KS C IEC 60335-2-24, plus model registration; (2) KC-EMC test report to KN 14-1 / KN 14-2; (3) energy efficiency grade measured to KS C IEC 62552 and registered with the Korea Energy Agency, with the Korean grade label; (4) KC mark physically applied with the certificate/registration number; (5) Korean-language product markings, ratings (220 V / 60 Hz) and instructions; (6) a Korean responsible party — the manufacturer or a Korean importer who holds the KC certificate/registration and the technical documentation (see row frigkr-market-002). An IECEE CB Scheme report (IEC 60335-2-24 basis) may reduce safety re-testing, but national deviations and Korean-language documentation must still be addressed.[INFORMATIONAL] The KC mark (covering KC Safety and KC-EMC) plus a registered Korean energy efficiency grade are mandatory for South Korean market access for household refrigerators. Chinese CCC and the China Energy Label are entirely separate systems — neither substitutes for the KC mark, KC test reports, Korea Energy Agency registration, or the Korean grade label. Manufacturers must build all Korean compliance documentation independently, in Korean, with a Korean responsible party. | KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards) / MOTIE2026-06-15 · reference |
| Korean Responsible Party — KC Certificate Holder / Importer (Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act) | China has no direct regulatory equivalent requiring manufacturers of export-bound products to designate a foreign-country resident legal representative responsible for product compliance and market surveillance cooperation. Chinese export manufacturers typically appoint overseas distributors or trading companies on a commercial basis, without a statutory Korean-style responsible-party obligation. Under the CCC domestic regime, the certification holder is the responsible party for domestic market compliance — this role and obligation does not extend to or satisfy Korean market surveillance requirements.N/A — no direct Chinese regulatory equivalent for the Korean responsible-party obligation | Under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, a product placed on the South Korean market must have an identifiable responsible person established in Korea. For household refrigerating appliances manufactured outside Korea (including China), the KC Safety Confirmation registration and KC certificate are normally held by the Korean importer, or by the manufacturer through a Korean representative. The responsible party must: hold or have access to the KC test reports and technical documentation; appear, together with the KC mark and certificate/registration number, on the product label or accompanying documents; cooperate with KATS and market surveillance authorities; and take corrective action (including recall if necessary) if a product is found non-compliant. Separately, the energy efficiency grade registration with the Korea Energy Agency is made by the supplier (importer or manufacturer's representative). The responsible-party role cannot be satisfied by a freight forwarder, customs broker, or testing laboratory — it must be a legally established Korean entity that holds the documented KC registration.Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act — responsible person / KC certificate holder obligations KATS market surveillance provisions — cooperation, corrective action and recall obligations Energy Use Rationalization Act — supplier registration with the Korea Energy Agency |
This is a structural gap with no Chinese regulatory analogue. Chinese refrigerator manufacturers selling into the Korean market must ensure a Korean responsible party (importer or manufacturer's Korean representative) holds the KC Safety Confirmation registration and the technical documentation before the first shipment clears. The responsible party's identity, together with the KC mark and certificate/registration number, must appear on the product label or accompanying documentation, and the energy efficiency grade must be registered with the Korea Energy Agency by a Korean supplier. Without a Korean KC registration holder, the product cannot legally be placed on the Korean market regardless of any foreign test reports. KATS market surveillance and customs checks increasingly verify KC registration status, particularly for products sold via online and cross-border e-commerce channels into Korea.[INFORMATIONAL] Chinese refrigerator manufacturers must ensure a Korean responsible party (importer or Korean representative) holds the KC Safety Confirmation registration before the first unit is placed on the South Korean market, and that a Korean supplier registers the energy efficiency grade with the Korea Energy Agency. This is a hard legal gate under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act — failure to comply exposes the parties to market withdrawal orders and penalties from KATS. | National Law Information Center (law.go.kr) / KATS2026-06-15 · reference |
| Refrigerant / F-Gas Handling — R600a Flammable Refrigerant (Clean Air Conservation Act + KS C IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA) | China regulates refrigerant use primarily through GB 9237-2001 (Safety requirements for refrigerating systems and heat pumps — general and related definitions; aligned with ISO 5149) and the more recent GB/T 5773-2016 (Performance test methods for positive displacement refrigerant compressors). For household appliances, refrigerant charge limits equivalent to IEC 60335-2-24 are addressed in GB 4706.13-2014 (which incorporates R600a flammability provisions derived from IEC 60335-2-24). China operates its HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (ratified June 2021), with its own schedule administered by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). Chinese appliance manufacturers exporting to South Korea with R600a units are generally well-positioned for the refrigerant aspect, but must verify charge amounts and documentation against Korean requirements.GB 4706.13-2014 — Annex provisions for flammable refrigerant (R600a) requirements in household refrigerating appliances (derived from IEC 60335-2-24) GB 9237-2001 — Safety requirements for refrigerating systems and heat pumps (aligned with ISO 5149:1993) Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol — China HFC phase-down schedule (ratified June 2021, administered by MEE) |
In South Korea, fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone-related substances used in refrigeration are managed primarily under the Clean Air Conservation Act (대기환경보전법) and the Act on the Control of Manufacture of Specified Substances for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, administered by the Ministry of Environment, with HFC phase-down obligations flowing from Korea's ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Household refrigerators and freezers marketed in Korea have overwhelmingly transitioned to R600a (isobutane, GWP approx. 3) — a hydrocarbon refrigerant not subject to HFC phase-down prohibitions. Manufacturers must: (1) verify that the refrigerant charge in the appliance complies with KS C IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA flammability requirements (maximum R600a charge per compartment configuration, ventilation and ignition-source provisions); (2) ensure product documentation and Korean-language markings declare the refrigerant type and charge quantity in grams; (3) if the appliance contains HFCs (e.g., R134a, GWP 1430) or HFOs, confirm these are consistent with Korea's HFC reduction schedule under the Clean Air Conservation Act and Kigali commitments; (4) ensure that recovery, recycling and disposal of refrigerants at end of life follow Korean environmental rules — for R600a household charges, the very small charge amounts mean routine domestic service does not normally trigger specialised F-gas handler certification, but waste-appliance recovery obligations still apply.Clean Air Conservation Act (대기환경보전법) — Ministry of Environment — control of fluorinated greenhouse gases and air pollutants Act on the Control of Manufacture of Specified Substances for the Protection of the Ozone Layer — Ministry of Environment / MOTIE KS C IEC 60335-2-24 — Annex AA: Requirements for appliances using flammable refrigerants (R600a charge limits, ventilation, ignition source requirements) Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol — Korea HFC phase-down schedule ISO 817 — Refrigerants — Designation and safety classification (R600a classified A3: lower flammability) |
For R600a appliances, the main gap is documentation, language, and charge verification rather than a fundamental technology gap: (1) Korean product documentation and labelling must explicitly state the refrigerant designation (R600a / isobutane), charge weight in grams, and relevant safety precautions per KS C IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA, in Korean; (2) The exact R600a charge per KS C IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA maximum limits must be verified — these are a function of room volume and appliance configuration, and Chinese CCC test reports may not explicitly confirm Korean charge-limit compliance if tested under slightly different configurations; (3) If any appliance in the export range uses R134a or another HFC, the manufacturer must assess its consistency with Korea's HFC reduction schedule under the Clean Air Conservation Act and Kigali commitments; (4) End-of-life recovery and disposal of refrigerants must follow Korean Ministry of Environment rules. [NOTE: The precise HFC phase-down timeline and any product-level restrictions for household refrigerating appliances under the Clean Air Conservation Act should be confirmed against the current Korean regulations before regulatory submissions.][INFORMATIONAL] R600a is the dominant refrigerant in South Korea-market household refrigerators and is not subject to HFC phase-down prohibitions. However, manufacturers must verify R600a charge against KS C IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA limits and explicitly document refrigerant type and charge weight in Korean. Any HFC-based models should be assessed against Korea's HFC reduction schedule under the Clean Air Conservation Act and Kigali commitments before market entry. | National Law Information Center (law.go.kr) / Ministry of Environment2026-06-15 · reference |
| Electrical Safety — Household Refrigerating Appliances (Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act + KS C IEC 60335-2-24) | China's mandatory safety standard for household refrigerating appliances is GB 4706.13-2014 (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers), which is technically derived from IEC 60335-2-24:2010 but incorporates Chinese national deviations. GB 4706.13-2014 is mandatory (GB) and enforced by SAMR under the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) regime. Products must be CCC-certified by a CNCA-designated certification body before sale in China. CCC test reports issued by Chinese laboratories against GB 4706.13 are NOT accepted as equivalent evidence under the Korean KC Safety Confirmation conformity assessment pathway.GB 4706.13-2014 — Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers (mandatory; derived from IEC 60335-2-24:2010 with national deviations; enforced under CCC by SAMR/CNCA) GB 4706.1-2005 — General requirements (read in conjunction with GB 4706.13) |
Household refrigerating appliances (refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator-freezer combinations, wine coolers, ice-cream appliances) placed on the South Korean market must comply with the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, administered by KATS under MOTIE. The specific applicable standard is KS C IEC 60335-2-24 (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Part 2-24: Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers), read in conjunction with the general standard KS C IEC 60335-1. Household refrigerators are generally classified for KC Safety Confirmation (안전확인, Self-regulatory Safety Confirmation) — the manufacturer or importer obtains a test report from a KATS-designated testing body (such as KTC, KTL or KTR), confirms conformity, and registers the model before placing the KC mark. Higher-risk products require full KC Safety Certification (안전인증) with factory inspection; lower-risk items use Supplier's Conformity Confirmation (공급자적합성확인). Key requirements cover: protection against electric shock; insulation resistance and dielectric strength; thermal cut-outs; creepage and clearance distances; mechanical strength of housing; earthing continuity; and appliance markings.Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act (전기용품 및 생활용품 안전관리법) — KATS/MOTIE KS C IEC 60335-2-24 — Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Part 2-24: Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers (Korean standard adopting IEC 60335-2-24) KS C IEC 60335-1 — General requirements (read in conjunction with Part 2-24) KC Safety Confirmation (안전확인) — applicable conformity route for household refrigerators; testing by KATS-designated bodies (KTC / KTL / KTR) |
Both KS C IEC 60335-2-24 and GB 4706.13-2014 adopt IEC 60335-2-24 as their technical base, so the substantive safety requirements are closely aligned; the gaps are certification-procedure and national-deviation related: (1) Re-certification obligation — KC Safety Confirmation (안전확인) requires a test report from a KATS-designated body (KTC, KTL, KTR) referencing KS C IEC 60335-2-24, plus model registration before the KC mark is applied; a Chinese CNAS/CCC report cannot substitute without re-testing, although an IECEE CB Scheme report (IEC 60335-2-24 basis) issued by an NCB may reduce the re-testing scope under Korea's CB acceptance practice — verify with a qualified Korean certification consultant. (2) National deviations — Korea applies its own deviations (including 220 V / 60 Hz supply conditions, plug/earthing arrangements per KS C 8305, and Korean-language markings and instructions) that differ from China's GB 4706.13 deviations, so Chinese CCC test data cannot be assumed to cover KS C IEC 60335-2-24 requirements without engineering review. (3) Local holder — the KC certificate/registration must be held by the manufacturer or its Korean importer, who retains the technical documentation.[INFORMATIONAL] The KC mark under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act is mandatory for household refrigerating appliances in South Korea. KS C IEC 60335-2-24 (with KS C IEC 60335-1) is the applicable safety standard, and refrigerators are routed through KC Safety Confirmation (안전확인). Chinese CCC certification to GB 4706.13 does not satisfy the Korean KC pathway; testing to KS C IEC 60335-2-24 at a KATS-designated body (KTC / KTL / KTR) is required. An IECEE CB Scheme report may reduce re-testing scope — verify with a qualified Korean certification consultant. | National Law Information Center (law.go.kr) / KATS2026-06-15 · reference |
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SOURCES
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- National Law Information Center (law.go.kr) / KATS · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 3 rows
- Korea Energy Agency (KEA / KEMCO) · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 2 rows
- KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards) / MOTIE · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 1 rows
- National Law Information Center (law.go.kr) / Ministry of Environment · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 1 rows