Post-Management

KC Certification

Business Purpose

To ensure the safety of certified water supply materials and products through market surveillance and distribution monitoring, and to prevent consumer harm caused by the circulation of illegal products.

• Pursuant to Article 14(7) of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act, frequent inspections are conducted to verify the quality of certified products.

Business Details and Status

• Management of Defective Products

  Since media coverage regarding the detection of hazardous substances in certified products (KBS, 2021), public concern over the quality and safety of certified products has grown, leading to strengthened post-certification management.

  ※ (Defective product) Products that have obtained certification but fail to meet certification standards or exhibit substandard quality.

  • Expansion of frequent inspections: Approximately 10% (2014–2021) → 21.1% as of 2025
• Management of Illegal Product

  Due to the surge in illegal product inflows resulting from increased overseas direct purchases, monitoring has been enhanced across online platforms, offline markets, and the public procurement system (Nara Marketplace) to block the distribution of uncertified illegal products.

  ※ (Illegal products) Products that have not obtained certification or whose certification has been revoked.

Certification of Kitchen Waste Grinders

Business Purpose

To normalize the distribution market by cracking down on illegal kitchen waste grinders—which can deteriorate wastewater quality—through enforcement, guidance, administrative sanctions, and post-management of certified products.

Business Details and Status

Establishment and operation of a comprehensive management system covering all distribution stages of certified products

• Joint inspections with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment

  Conducting unannounced inspections of certified companies to verify compliance with certification standards

• Online Voluntary Correction

  Monitoring major portal sites and online sales platforms to request corrections of advertisements or suspend websites selling illegal or prohibited products (continuous monitoring)

• Market Sampling

  Anonymous purchases of certified products distributed online/offline to verify conformity with certification standards

• Administrative Litigation Response

  Responding to administrative lawsuits filed by companies regarding certification cancellations or related decisions based on market sampling results

• Information Sessions

  Hosting briefings for manufacturers and sellers to introduce the certification system and guide improvement measures to eradicate illegal production and sales

• Distribution Monitoring

  Operating reporting channels to promote manufacturer/seller reporting, identifying illegal products in blind-spot distribution channels, and filing direct complaints against manufacturers or sellers based on secured evidence

Irregular Quality Inspection of Water Treatment Chemicals

Business Purpose

A separate quality inspection is conducted when, aside from regular inspections, there is actual or potential harm to multiple users due to a decline in the quality of a certified product, or when it is otherwise deemed necessary to perform an additional quality assessment.

• Operated pursuant to Article 28 (Post-Management Inspections) of the Operational Guidelines for Hygiene and Safety Certification of Water Treatment Chemicals.

Relevant Legislation

KC Certification

• Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act Article 14-2 (Revocation of certification, etc.)
• Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act Article 14-5 (Recommendation of Collecting of Products, etc.)
• Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act Article 14-6 (Order to Perform Collection of Products, etc.)
• Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act Article 83 (Penalty Provisions) and Article 87 (Administrative Fines)
• Enforcement Rules of the Water Supply and Waterworks Installation Act, Annex 2-2 (Criteria for Administrative Disposition)
• Regulations on Hygiene and Safety Standards Certification for Water Supply Materials and Products (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Ordinance)
• Official Test Methods for Hygiene and Safety Standards for Water Supply Materials and Products (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Notice)
• Other Water Supply Materials and Products Requiring Hygiene and Safety Certification for Drinking Purposes (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Notice)

Kitchen Waste Grinder Certification

• Sewerage Act Article 33 (Restriction on Use of Specific Industrial Products)
• Sewerage Act Articles 76 (Penalties) and 80 (Administrative Fines)
• Enforcement Decree of the Sewerage Act Article 23 (Types of Specific Industrial Products)
• Enforcement Rules of the Sewerage Act Article 24-2 (Exceptions to Use Restrictions of Specific Industrial Products)
• Prohibition on Sale and Use of Kitchen Waste Grinder (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Notice)

Water Treatment Chemicals Certification

• Drinking Water Management Act Article 3(5)
• Standards, Specifications, and Labeling Requirements for Water Treatment Chemicals (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Notice)
• Criteria for Self-Standards and Self-Specifications for Water Treatment Chemicals and Bottled Spring Water (National Institute of Environmental Research)