Kitchen Waste Grinder Certification

Korea Institute for Water Technology Certification.

Basic Background

Kitchen waste grinders are classified as “designated industrial products” under Article 33 of the Sewerage Act, Article 23 of its Enforcement Decree, and the Prohibition on the Sale and Use of Kitchen Waste Disposers (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Notice No. 2013-179). Accordingly, their sale and use are prohibited.

However, if a kitchen waste grinder obtains certification under Article 9 of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Notice (No. 2013-179) and safety certification (KC) under Article 3 of the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, its sale and use are permitted only under the following conditions.

  1. General households located within a sewage treatment area as defined in Article 2, Subparagraph 15 of the Sewerage Act.
  2. General households located outside sewage treatment areas that have individual sewage treatment facilities (limited to wastewater treatment facilities).

Meanwhile, violating the provisions of the above laws (the Sewerage Act and the Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act) by selling or using such products may result in criminal penalties (imprisonment or fines) as well as administrative fines.

Certification System

What is 'Kitchen Waste Grinder Certification'?
“Kitchen Waste Grinder Certification” determines whether a product is certified through the procedures prescribed in Articles 4 to 8 of the Prohibition on the Sale and Use of Kitchen Waste Disposers (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment Notice No. 2013-179). These procedures include document review, factory audit, product testing, and other required assessments.
Factory Audit and Product Testing Overview
Category Description Remarks
Factory Audit Verification of whether the kitchen waste grinder is designed and manufactured so that, after certification and during sale or use, users cannot intentionally alter the product (e.g., opening, modifying, etc.) to increase the discharge of food waste into the sewer system. Passing score: 80 points or higher
Verification of whether the kitchen waste grinder is designed and manufactured so that, after certification and during sale or use, users cannot intentionally alter the product (e.g., opening, modifying, etc.) to increase the discharge of food waste into the sewer system.
Product Testing A test to determine whether the kitchen waste grinder, in accordance with the test methods specified in Article 8 of the Notice, recovers 80% or more of the food waste solids or discharges less than 20% of them. Upon passing the factory audit

Certification Procedure

  • STEP 01
    Consultation
  • STEP 02
    Application for Certification
  • STEP 03
    Receipt of Application
  • STEP 04
    Document Review & Factory Audit
  • STEP 05
    Product Testing
  • STEP 06
    Certification Deliberation
  • STEP 07
    Issuance of Certificate

Precautions for Products Applying for Certification

Integrated products
  1. A device used for the operation and function of a “kitchen waste grinder” that collects the food waste solids after grinding—commonly referred to as a “secondary treatment unit,” which is composed of parts such as a strainer, filter, or mesh performing the same function. This unit is integrated into a single, indivisible form with no external separation from the main product unit (commonly referred to as the “grinder,” which physically grinds the food waste). It must be designed and manufactured so that neither the seller nor the user can manipulate any component of the product to increase the discharge of food waste into the sewer system. The structure must prevent any modification or alteration of the product.
  2. Even when the “grinder” and the “secondary treatment unit” are externally distinguishable, the connection through which the ground food waste is transferred from the grinder to the secondary treatment unit, as well as the components comprising the secondary treatment unit, must be designed and manufactured so that neither the seller nor the user can manipulate any part of the product to increase the discharge of food waste into the sewer system. The product must remain in a condition that prevents any structural modification or alteration.
Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 4
In the case of products where the “grinder” and the “secondary treatment unit” are externally distinguishable, the product shall not be regarded as an integrated unit if the connection through which the ground food waste is transferred from the grinder to the secondary treatment unit, or the components such as strainers or filters that recover the food waste in the secondary treatment unit, are attached using bolts, nuts, screws, or similar fasteners that allow detachment, modification, or any other form of manipulation.
Subparagraph 1 or 2 of Paragraph 4
  • The strainer—composed of parts such as filters or meshes that perform the same function—which forms the device that recovers ground food waste in the operation of a “kitchen waste grinder” shall be made of stainless steel or other metal materials to prevent damage caused by deliberate impact by the user.
  • ※ Reference: Operational Guidelines for the Kitchen Waste Grinder Certification System (Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association, established on February 14, 2014)