South Korea officially implemented KC 62619:2022, and mobile ESS batteries are included into control
South Korea officially implemented KC 62619:2022, and mobile ESS batteries are included into control,
KC 62619:2022,
▍What is KC?
Since 25th Aug., 2008，Korea Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) announced that the National Standard Committee will conduct a new national unified certification mark — named KC mark replacing Korean Certification during the time between Jul. 2009 and Dec. 2010. Electrical Appliances safety certification scheme (KC Certification) is a mandatory and self-regulatory safety confirmation scheme according to Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act, a scheme which certified safety of manufacture and sale.
The difference between mandatory certification and self-regulatory (voluntary) safety confirmation：
For the safe management of electrical appliances, KC certification is divided into mandatory and self-regulatory (voluntary) safety certifications as the classification of danger of product.The subjects of Mandatory certification is applied to electrical appliances which its structures and methods of application may cause serious dangerous results or obstacle such as fire, electric shock. While the subjects of self-regulatory (voluntary) safety certification is applied to electrical appliances which its structures and methods of application can hardly causes serious dangerous results or obstacle such as fire, electric shock. And the danger and obstacle can be prevented by testing the electrical appliances.
▍Who can apply for KC certification：
All legal persons or individuals both at home and abroad who are engaged in manufacturing, assembly, processing of electrical appliance.
▍Scheme and method of safety certification：
Apply for KC certification with product’s model that can be divided into basic model and series model.
In order to clarify model type and design of electrical appliances, an unique product name will be given according to its different function.
▍ KC certification for Lithium battery
- KC certification standard for lithium battery：KC62133:2019
- Product scope of KC certification for lithium battery
A. Secondary lithium batteries for use in portable application or removable devices
B. Cell is not subject to KC certificate whether for sale or assembled in batteries.
C. For batteries used in energy storage device or UPS (uninterruptible power supply), and their power which is greater than 500Wh are beyond the scope.
D. Battery whose volume energy density is lower than 400Wh/L comes into certification scope since 1st, Apr. 2016.
▍Why MCM?
● MCM keeps a close cooperation with Korean labs, such as KTR (Korea Testing & Research Institute) and is able to offer the best solutions with high cost performance and Value-added service to clients from the point of lead time, testing process, certification cost.
● KC certification for rechargeable lithium battery can be gained by submitting a CB certificate and convert it into KC certificate. As a CBTL under TÜV Rheinland, MCM can offer reports and certificates which can be applied for conversion of KC certificate directly. And the lead time can be shortened if applying CB and KC at the same time. What’s more, the related price will be more favorable.
On March 20, KATS issued an official document 2023-0027, officially releasing KC 62619:2022.
Compared with KC 62619:2019, KC 62619:2022 has the following differences:The definition of terms has been modified to align with IEC 62619:2022, such as adding the definition of maximum discharge current and adding time limit for flame.The scope has been changed. It is clear that mobile ESS batteries are also within the scope. The range of application has been modified to be above 500Wh and below 300kWh.Requirement of current design for battery system is added. The battery should not exceed the maximum charge/discharge current of cell.Requirement of battery system lock is added.Requirement of EMC for battery system is added.Laser triggering of thermal runaway in thermal propagation test are added.Compared with IEC 62619:2022, KC 62619:2022 has the following differences:Scope: IEC 62619:2022 is applicable to industrial batteries; while KC 62619:2022 specifies that it is applicable to ESS batteries, and defines that mobile/stationary ESS batteries, camping power supply and mobile electric vehicle charging piles fall within the scope of this standard.Sample quantity: In 6.2, IEC 62619:2022 requires the number of samples to be R (R is 1 or more); while in KC 62619:2022, three samples are required for each test item for a cell and one sample for battery system. KC 62619:2022 adds Annex E (Functional Safety Considerations for Battery Management Systems) which refers to Annex H of functional safety-related standards IEC 61508 and IEC 60730, describing the minimum system-level design requirements to ensure the integrity of safety functions within a BMS.KC62619:2022 has been effective since March 20, the date of its promulgation. After the implementation of this new standard, KC certificate can be transferred by CB report in the latest standard. At the same time, portable energy storage power and portable electric vehicle charging piles are also included in the mandatory control scope of KC. KC 62619:2019 will expire one year after the Act is implemented, but the applied certificates in this standard will still be valid.
