South Korea’s Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has issued an administrative pre-announcement proposing partial amendments to the operational guidelines for safety management of electrical appliances and household articles. The changes specifically target the classification criteria for tablet PCs and the self-inspection test requirements for lithium battery cells under the KC mark regime.

The first major revision raises the diagonal screen-size threshold for tablet PCs from 17 cm to 20 cm. This adjustment removes large-screen smartphones from the tablet PC category, thereby reducing unnecessary certification obligations for phone manufacturers and clarifying product classification boundaries.

The second revision replaces the overcurrent charging test with a crush test for lithium battery cells subject to Safety Certification. This change applies only to cells with an energy density of 700 Wh/L or higher and a maximum charging voltage of 4.4 V or higher, intended for use in smartphones, notebook computers, or tablet PCs. The update aligns Korea’s requirements with KC 62133-2, harmonizing local standards with IEC 62133-2.

The proposal is open for public comment until July 10, 2026. Stakeholders are encouraged to audit their product portfolios, confirm test evidence, and submit feedback if their products are affected by the new thresholds or test requirements. Final adoption and enforcement dates will be announced after the consultation period concludes.

This regulatory proposal is assessed as Medium Impact.

Key reasons for medium impact:

• The changes are not yet in force but are expected to significantly affect product classification and certification requirements for tablet PCs and lithium battery cells.
• The revision will reduce regulatory burden for large-screen smartphone manufacturers and require updated testing procedures for battery cell suppliers.
• Stakeholders must audit affected products and prepare for compliance once the rule is finalized.

Who is affected?

Manufacturers and importers of tablet PCs, large-screen smartphones, notebook computers, and lithium battery cell suppliers. Certification teams and testing laboratories are also impacted.

Conclusion:

While the changes are not yet mandatory, their scope and technical nature require proactive attention from affected parties to ensure readiness for compliance and to participate in the public consultation process.