Which batteries need to undergo KC certification?

The "KC" certification is a national unified certification mark implemented by the Korea National Standards Council. Lithium batteries are included in the KC certification directory as a mandatory certification product.

I. Scope of KC Certification for Battery Products

1. Single Battery (Cell): Portable use;

2. Battery (Pack): Single battery direct parallel assembly manufacturing;

3. Portable lithium single batteries or battery packs with navigation functions and those whose energy density per volume is irrelevant are all applicable (for use in the harsh conditions inside a vehicle).

4. Single batteries and battery packs used in portable medical devices, barcode and credit card readers, etc. are all applicable objects.

5. Carried devices: MP3 players, electronic dictionaries, PMPs, laptops, digital cameras, etc.

6. Portable product classification: Batteries used in mobile products are also subject to certification.

7. Non-certified objects: Vehicle drive use, industrial use, medical use.

II. Precautions for KC Certification of Lithium Batteries

1. The same model cannot be applied for repeatedly at the same institution.

2. The KC certificate does not accept any changes involving the basic model (such as changing the model name, parameters, capacity, etc.). If a change to the certificate is required:

A. Only the addition of series models can be considered.

B. Only the original certificate can be cancelled and a new application made.

3. It is recommended that lithium battery products do not directly apply for KC certification. Instead, they can first apply for CB certification and then convert it to KC certification. The benefits of doing so are as follows:

Option A is relatively cheaper. Directly applying for KC certification is quite expensive and requires sending samples to South Korea for testing, which increases the cost of express delivery and the difficulty of certification. However, by first obtaining CB certification and then using it to apply for KC certification, the cost is relatively lower and there is no need to send samples to South Korea.

B. The cycle is relatively shorter. To directly apply for KC certification, samples need to be sent to South Korea for testing. The period for sending samples and testing usually takes more than three months. However, by applying for KC through CB, the CB certification cycle is 3 to 4 weeks, and the conversion to KC only takes a few weeks. KC certification can be completed in about a month, which is more efficient.

III. Updates to the Certification Requirements for Button Batteries under KC 62133-02 (2020):

On January 4, 2021, KATS (Korea Agency for Technology and Standards) clarified the requirements for applying for the KC safety certification for rechargeable button batteries. For soft-pack shaped batteries with a thickness smaller than the diameter (cells - maximum charging voltage above 4.4V, energy density above 700 Wh/L, used in smartphones, laptops or tablets), they fall under the scope of control of KC 62133-02 (2020).