2026 Korea KC Lighting Standard Revision: 3 Core Standards & CB-to-KC Conversion Guide

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) issued Announcement No. 2026-166 on July 20, 2026, revising 7 KC standards for electrical products, including 3 standards related to luminaires and luminaire control gear: KC 60081, KC 60969 and KC 61347-2-3.

The new regulations took effect on July 20, 2026, with specific application and implementation dates subject to the supplementary provisions of each standard.

For luminaire enterprises planning to export to South Korea, what should be the key focus of this standard adjustment?

1. 7 Standards Revised: Luminaire Enterprises Focus on These 3

This revision involves 7 KC standards for electrical products, 4 of which mainly cover household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, heating equipment, indoor heaters and massagers.

For luminaire and related product enterprises, the following 3 standards require more focused attention:

1. KC 60081:2026 – Requirements related to double-ended fluorescent lamps
2. KC 60969:2026 – Requirements related to self-ballasted fluorescent lamps
3. KC 61347-2-3:2026 – Particular requirements for AC and/or DC supplied electronic control gear for fluorescent lamps

From the product correspondence perspective, typical products mainly involved in this revision include double-ended fluorescent lamps, self-ballasted fluorescent lamps, and electronic control gear for fluorescent lamps.

This revision mainly involves the addition of test methods, refinement of test conditions, and adjustment of relevant terms and referenced standards. Therefore, enterprises need to pay attention not only to the change of standard numbers, but also to further verify whether there are differences between existing products and test reports and the new version requirements.

For other products such as LED driver power supplies, judgment should be made according to the specific product type and applicable KC standard. It cannot be directly assumed that this revision applies simply because the product belongs to "luminaires".

2. With an Existing CB Report, Is Retesting Required?

This is the question enterprises are more concerned about. If a product already has a CB report, it cannot be simply understood that it can be directly used for KC certification conversion, nor does it mean that all tests must be redone.

A more reasonable approach is to first conduct a review of the existing CB report: ① Confirm the product and applicable standard Clarify the KC standard corresponding to the product, as well as the IEC standard and version on which the existing CB report is based.

② Conduct new-old standard difference assessment Compare the test items, test conditions and relevant technical requirements in the existing CB report against the new version KC standard requirements.

③ Determine the follow-up path based on assessment results According to the actual product situation and report differences, further judge whether supplementary testing, technical document update, and subsequent KC certification conversion work are involved.

In other words, for enterprises that already have CB reports, what is more worthwhile to do at present is not to blindly retest, but to first clarify the differences between existing reports and the new version requirements.

3. 4 Items Luminaire Export Enterprises Can Check Now

During the transition period between old and new standards, enterprises are advised to organize the following in advance: (1) Product materials: Confirm product models exported to South Korea and applicable standards; (2) CB report: Confirm the IEC standard and version corresponding to the report; (3) Standard differences: Verify whether the new version KC requirements involve test items or conditions in existing reports; (4) Certification conversion needs: Confirm subsequent supplementary testing, document update and KC certification conversion arrangements based on assessment results.

South Korean authorities have included KC 60081, KC 60969 and KC 61347-2-3 in the revised Electrical Appliances Safety Standards List.

For luminaire enterprises with recent shipment plans to South Korea, or those currently using old version CB reports for KC certification conversion, it is recommended not to wait until before actual shipment to verify the standards.

4. Closing Remarks

For luminaire products with existing CB test foundation, KC certification conversion is not simply "renaming" a certificate.

In the actual implementation process, comprehensive assessment needs to be conducted combining the product, CB report, applicable standards and South Korean KC requirements, before determining the specific follow-up certification path.

The Lighting Testing Division of GTG Testing Group can evaluate product applicable standards and difference testing requirements based on enterprises' existing CB test materials, and assist in advancing relevant certification processes for the South Korean market.

For luminaire export enterprises, the key point of this KC standard revision is not only "the standard has changed", but more importantly: how existing CB reports can still be utilized, and what adjustments are needed for subsequent KC certification conversion.

Completing report and standard version verification in advance can clarify subsequent testing and certification arrangements earlier, leaving preparation time for exports to the South Korean market.

The Lighting Testing Division of GTG Testing Group will continue to follow the latest developments in LED lighting regulations and provide professional compliance support for enterprises. If you need further understanding of regulatory details or certification consultation, welcome to contact us.