In the process of TWS headphone export to the Korean market, KC certification, as a mandatory access standard, has become a technical threshold that manufacturers must cross. The certification system implemented by the Korean Institute of Technology and Standards (KATS) puts forward strict requirements for the safety and electromagnetic compatibility of lithium batteries, which directly affects whether the products can legally enter the circulation channels in South Korea.
For TWS headset manufacturers, KC certification of battery modules is a key part of the overall certification. The certification process requires the enterprise to provide complete battery specifications, BMS protection circuit design documents, and pass 12 safety experiments such as overcharge/overdischarge test and high temperature cycle test. Of particular concern is that the new version of the 2023 standard adds a new battery thermal runaway protection assessment, requiring that the headset shell design must have thermal diffusion barrier capability, which puts higher requirements on structural design.
In the process of qualification declaration, the manufacturer should simultaneously complete the factory review and record. The Korean certification body will focus on verifying the battery supplier's ISO system certification, production traceability system, quality control records and other documents. It is recommended that enterprises establish a quality control process in accordance with the KTR 62133 standard in advance to avoid certification delay due to missing documents. The current standard certification period is about 8-12 weeks, but expedited service can be reduced to 6 weeks for an additional 30% service charge.
It is worth noting that products that have not obtained KC certification not only face the risk of customs seizure, but are more likely to trigger the penalty provisions of South Korea's Electrical Appliances Safety Management Law. According to Seoul Customs data in 2023, about 17% of TWS headset return cases stem from lack of battery certification. The mature solution is to cooperate with a certification body that holds the KTC authorized qualification and use its localized service network to complete the document pre-review and technical rectification, which can effectively improve the first review rate. If you need certification, please contact ZRLK!
