Korea South

News for Korea South

• 2020-11-19RRA issues revision of Conformity Assessment Scheme

  The Korean Radio Research Agence (RRA) issued recently the new notice 2020-7, which updates some aspects regarding the conformity assessment.

  Notable changes:

  • explicit list of products requiring EMC approval instead of „similar devices“
  • IT equipment embedded in vehicles do not require a separate EMC approval
  • RF modules in approved host can be exchanged more easily
  • QR-Code Labeling becomes possible: Instead of standard label or e-label, a QR-code can now be used

  The full notification can be found here (Korean only)

  
  

• 2018-08-09RRA Conformity Rules Changed

  South Korea's National Radio Research Agency RRA has released a new version 2018-13 of the Broadcast and Telecommunication Devices Conformity Assessment Rules with two major changes:

  1. Other applicants can apply for R-certificates of an approved product, if authorized by the original licensee.
  2. The nomenclature of the R-number changes: The new format R-CS-ABC-12345678901234 will replace the old format R-CRM-ABC-12345678901234. The 3rd letter will either show "S" if already approved or stay empty for new applications. The fourth letter will be completely abolished (no more CRM, REM, CMM etc.).

  The new regulation came into effect on 2018-07-31. However, previous and pending approvals can still follow the old rule until the end of the transition period, on 2019-06-30. t

  Here is a rough translation from the original document, as follows:

  R-Number 2018

  R	-	C	S	-	ABC	-	1234567891234
  1		2	3		4		5
  Identification of broadcasting communication equipment		Identify basic authentication information			Identify applicant information		Product identification

  Notes:

  1. "R" means the conformity assessment of broadcasting and communication equipment according to the Radio Law.
  2. In this column, 'authentication field identification code' is described as basic authentication information:
     1. C = Certification
     2. R = Registration
     3. I = Interim
  3. "S" shall be stated only in case of conformity certification or conformity registration for the same equipment as a basic authentification information.
  4. In column 4, the applicant identification code given by the Director in accordance with Article 5 shall be entered.
  5. Column contains the applicant's "Product Identification Code (English, number, hyphen (-), underbar (_). And the applicant may decide within 14 digits.

   

   

  
  

• 2013-08-27September 2013 Spectrum Changes

  Beginning in September 2013, South Korea's National Radio Research Agency (RRA) Public Notice number 2013-29 will be implemented for the purpose of frequency spectrum harmonization. Below is an overview of the changes:

  • 20 MHz bandwidth requirements for 1710~1745 MHz, 1805~1840 MHz, 500~2540 MHz, and 2620~2660 MHz that utilize OFDMA and SC FDMA enacted;
  • Revised 5 MHz and 10 MHz bandwidth requirements for 1710~1745 MHz, 1805~1840 MHz, 2500~2540 MHz, and 2620~2660 MHz, which utilize OFDMA and SC FDMA;
  • Modified spectrum requirements of the wireless broadband WIBRO standard to avoid interference in adjacent bandwidth, and to revise unwanted emission requirements of the transmitter;
  • Alignment with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard specifications.

  
  

• 2013-06-12Type Approval Changes

  Recently, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) had a name change and is now known as the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (MSIP). This change occurred as a result of Korea's National Government Organization Act (Law No. 11690, 2013. 3. 23).  Per announcement NRRA Public Notice 2013-5 on Conformity Assessment, product Type Approval labeling identification code has changed from "KCC" to "MSIP"

  The Korean Type Approval label is made up of the Conformity Assessment mark (KC mark/logo), which remains unchanged and the Conformity Assessment Number, which is made up of four key parts:

  1. The identification code (now MSIP), followed by
  2. Indication of Basic Certification Information (e.g. CRM or REM etc), followed by
  3. Applicant code (identifying the applicant) and
  4. Product code (14 characters provided by the applicant to identify the product).

  Products approved from July 1, 2013 should use the new labeling format. There is a three month grandfathering period whereby newly approved products can use the KCC identification code (to accommodate any manufacturers who have pre-made labels). After September 2, 12013, labels should transition to use the MSIP identification code. There is no requirement for manufacturers to change product labels for those products approved prior to July 1, 2103.

  Additionally, NRRA Public Notice 2013-5 allows manufacturers to make small changes to certain components (resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes (including LEDs) without the need to update their MSIP Type Approval, provided:

  1. Type Approval was obtained based on EMC testing only.
  2. Electrical circuit (schematic and layout) remains identical.
  3. Changes to component does not increase the power capacity (wattage) of the circuit.

  
  

• 2012-06-28SAR Technical Requirements amended

  On 2012-06-25, the National Radio Research Agency (RRA) of South Korea amended the requirements for measurement and testing procedure of Specific Absorption Rate SAR, targeting among others portable wireless equipment used within 20cm of the human body.
  It shall come into force end of 2012. Details in Korean language can be found at http://www.rra.go.kr