IECEE-CB Scheme, Pave the way for the global market
Safety of electrical appliances in Korea had been controlled by a mandatory certification system under the Electrical Appliances Safety Control Law since 1974, and since then KTL has been a part of system as a nationally renowned agency for product safety testing in Korea. KTL has exchanged and provided information with leading certification organization in the field of product safety by joining the IECEE-MC and CCB since 1985. Corresponding to global market current, KTL also has represented the IECEE-CB Scheme to Korea for its system to comply with the international assessment. As a part of this effort, KTL has approved as an NCB and CBTL at the meeting of MC/CCB in 1991. Starting with 4 in 1993, issuing of its certification has continuously increased more than 50% every year with the NCB/CBTL designation, and issue amount of the certification in 1998 alone took 321 by increasing 65% from the previous year. Along with, recognizing rate of other NCB's Test Certificate was 1 in 1996, 8 in 1997, and astonishing gain of 221 in 1999. In order to make Safety Certification Scheme in Korea harmonized with IECEE-CB Scheme, the Government of Korea had prepared the amendment of the Law from 1998. At last, the revised Electrical Appliance Safety Control Law has been announced in September 1999. These efforts have had an impact on the rising rate of issuing and recognizing certification of IECEE-CB Scheme in Korea. Major changes of revised certification scheme in Korea are, first of all, the government-supervised system transfers into the private certification body with fairness capabilities. Secondly, requirements of the designated testing and certification bodies in their operation should follow and similar to the IECEE-CB Scheme. Lastly, technical safety requirement should comply with the IEC standards. This reform of Korean certification scheme is expected to greatly improve the cooperation between IECEE Member Body/NCB/CBTL. In addition, it corresponds to WTO/TBT Agreement that certification scheme and technical requirement harmonize with IEC Guidelines and standards. Once more, by pursuing the global markets from one product, one test, one factory inspection, and one mark idea, IECEE-KR c/o KTL will strive to further strengthen the relationship and coalition with its partners and we hope this can get rid of obstacles from international trading and help all of the world market. Soo-Hyun Paik, Secretary Further information is available at http://www.ktl.re.kr |
In 1966, KTL (Korea testing Laboratory, former KAITECH, KIMM and FIC) was established as non-profit public organization for calibrations of precision instruments under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea.