Korea generally accepts ASME standards and certification; however, the country also requires a manufacturer’s license issued by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), which also must be processed with the Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS).
For the past ten years, LOD has been providing Korean Factory Registration services to various clients in the United States and Canada.
There are three phases involved in obtaining your export license: a technical review, a factory audit, and the final registration. LOD will guide you through each step of the way to ensure the registration process is completed in the most efficient and professional manner.
KGS/MOTIE Certification Process Overview
Detailed Process
Overall, the entire process for obtaining your Korean certification can take anywhere from four to six months, depending on the KGS audit schedule.
LOD will ensure that each step is clearly explained, and we’ll proactively execute all licensing requirements on your behalf.
Process 1. Preparation & Technical Review by KGS
LOD will help you fill out the required applications while guiding you through the collection of technical documents to ensure that you’re in compliance. LOD will also furnish templates and samples to help you prepare your documents more efficiently. Once document collection is completed, LOD will mail your technical binder to KGS for their review. LOD will be in close communication with KGS during each phase to ensure the process moves forward.
(Two months for document collection & review by KGS and audit scheduling.)
-
Initial Consultation &
Application for Technical Review• LOD will provide technical review document support and guidance, including consultation.
• You’ll select from this list which manufacturing items you’ll export to Korea.
-
Technical Review
-
Issue Technical Review Report
Process 2. Factory Audit by KGS
Following KGS’s approval of your technical capability (Phase I: Technical Review), LOD will set up an audit schedule on your behalf. LOD will provide a detailed checklist and walk you through a series of scenarios so that you’re ready and fully prepared for your factory audit.
**Re-audit has to take place if the applicant doesn’t pass the first time. In this case, you’d be required to go through a two-day re-audit with two KGS auditors at a later time after submitting a corrective action plan.
-
Apply for Factory Audit
Submit the form to KGS with full payment for the factory audit.
-
Factory Audit
• 3–4-day audit by three KGS auditors in the areas of Manufacturing Standards & Codes, Equipment, and Quality Systems. KGS’s Quality System audit is similar to that of ISO 9001. Please refer to the attachment below for the KGS requirements for Quality Systems. Please refer to the attached document below.
• The number of audit days may be adjusted to reflect the types and standards of products.
-
Issue Factory Audit Report
Process 3. Factory Registration with MOTIE
After you’ve passed the factory audit, your company becomes eligible to register with MOTIE. LOD will gather all necessary documents, including revenue stamps, your company brochure, the audit report, and others for submission to MOTIE.
-
Apply for Factory Registration
After receiving a notice of acceptance for technical review and factory audit, applicants will fill out either form 5 or form 6. The required package for MOTIE includes: the KGS-issued technical review report, factory audit report, company catalog, revenue stamp, and Form 5 or Form 6.
-
Registration Review by MOTIE
This process require twenty days including mailing and processing time.
-
Certificate Issued
Korean Manufacturing License is issued by MOTIE.
-
Renewal Registration
Apply for Renewal Registration to KGS every three years.