Korea Telecommunications Authority RRA issues 3 new notices about wireless power transmission equipment

The South Korea telecom authority RRA (National Radio Research Agency) has recently issued three public notifications, announcing certain changes concerning their mandatory KC Mark Certification scheme, which shall ensure conformity of products with the relevant Korean standards. 

The first notification (Adm. Notice 2023-38, dated 2023.05.18) concerns Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), and the main changes are:

• Adding 'wireless power transmission device used for electric vehicles' to definition of A Class and B Class equipment (Ref. Article 2, Para. 4 and 5).
• New article for 'wireless power transmission device used for electric vehicles' (Ref. Article 23, Annex 20).

The given reason for this change is contribution to the revitalization of the industry by preparing electromagnetic compatibility standards for the conformity evaluation of wireless power transmission devices for electric vehicles.

The second notification (Adm. Notice 2023-39, dated 2023.05.18) concerns Measurement of Electromagnetic Field Strength (EMF), and the main changes are:

• Change to national KS standard in Annexes 1~4. (Ref. Article 3, Para. 2~4).
• Providing a new KS standard for the method of testing human exposure to magnetic field strength from electric vehicles (Ref. Article 3, Para. 5).

The given reasons for this change are to provide EMF test method and to unify the criteria for new technology products, like wireless power transmission devices

The third notification (MSIT Public notification 2023-18, dated 2023.06.20) concerns Unlicensed Radio Equipment Established Without Notice, and the main changes are:

• Easing regulations on the use of ‘wireless devices for data transmission in the 433 MHz band in vehicles.
• The regulation is partially revised to add radio used for automobiles to the use of technical standards for specific small output wireless equipment for data transmission using the frequency of the 433 MHz band to Article 7 of the regulation.

Smartphone certification in accordance with expanded European criteria

In the European Radio Equipment Directive (RED, 2014/53/EU), the essential requirements stated in Article 3.3 (g) apply to hand-held mobile telephones with features similar to those of a computer in terms of capability to treat and store data.

Compliance shall be ensured through technical solutions for the reception and processing of Wi-Fi data, data from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) compatible and interoperable with at least the Galileo system referred to in Regulation (EU) No 1285/2013, and making that data available for transmission in emergency communications. This essential requirement ensures accuracy of caller location in emergency communications and was activated by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/320 and has been applicable for smartphones since March 2022.

Nemko’s Notified Bodies in Norway, Italy and North America have been recognized by the EU Commission to perform EU RED Article 3.3 (g) certification of smartphones, which is the essential requirement the use of the Galileo system (Satellite positioning), Advanced Mobile Location (AML) and Wi-Fi Positioning for Mobile Emergency Calling.

Smartphones are in addition assessed for compliance with the requirements for health (RF exposure), electrical safety, EMC, and radio, as apply in Europe for emergency communication.

Some key sections of the guidelines are:​

• Section 3, which refers to some relevant standards invoked in the test guidelines (e.g., ETSI TS 103 246-5, EN 303 413)
• Section 5, which provides test specifications for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
• Section 6, which provides requirements relating to compatibility of the processing and transmission mechanismsof handset-derived caller location with the national Public Safety Answering Point​.
• Section 7, which provides the requirements for compatibility with wireless local area positioning, implementing Wi-Fi family of wireless protocols.