Government to Promote ISO International Standardization of 'K-Quarantine'

'2020 National Standard Implementation Plan' Confirmed
Launch of the 5th National Standard Basic Plan ('21~'25)
16 Ministries and Agencies Including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to Invest 325.8 Billion KRW This Year
"System Semiconductors, Future Cars, Biohealth, K-Quarantine Standard Innovation"

On the 15th of last month, officials are seen loading cargo at the Incheon International Airport cargo terminal to export Korean-style COVID-19 diagnostic kits to the United States. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government is jointly promoting the 'international standardization' of 'K-Quarantine.' It is accelerating standard innovation in industries such as system semiconductors, future cars, and bio-health (BIG3).

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 31st that the National Standards Deliberation Council, jointly with 16 ministries, agencies, and offices, has established and approved the '2020 National Standards Implementation Plan.'

The government plans to organize national standards in areas under its jurisdiction such as BIG3, 5G, intelligent transportation systems, and smart medical devices, and strengthen support for companies' market entry through the international standardization of Korean technologies.

This year's implementation plan is the final annual plan of the '4th National Standards Basic Plan' (2016?2020). The basic plan is established every five years according to Article 7 of the 'National Standards Basic Act.'

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

This year, 101 detailed tasks will be promoted to achieve the 12 key initiatives of the 4th basic plan. An investment of 325.8 billion KRW, an 18% increase from the previous year, will be made.

Funds will be invested in four areas. First, 58.1 billion KRW will be invested in 22 tasks for 'standard development for market creation.' 134.1 billion KRW will be invested in 34 tasks for 'expansion of standard-based corporate support,' and 114.4 billion KRW in 27 tasks for 'standardization supporting citizens' lives.' 19.2 billion KRW will be allocated to 18 tasks for 'standard system innovation.'

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

The 'K-Quarantine model (testing and confirmation → epidemiology and tracing → isolation and treatment)' will be jointly promoted by related ministries to be recognized as an 'international standard' by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The effectiveness of diagnostic testing methods and drive-through clinics developed by Korea during the response to COVID-19 is being fully leveraged as they have been recognized by the international community.

Active participation in online ISO/IEC meetings will be undertaken. This includes supporting chair and secretary activities of technical committees and subcommittees, actively utilizing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with other countries, and regularly reviewing and sharing the status and issues of standard development.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Meanwhile, at the first council meeting this year, it was decided to form a public-private joint task force (TF) to establish the '5th National Standards Basic Plan' (2021?2025). The 5th basic plan is the highest-level national strategy in the field of standards.

The council resolved to derive standardization strategies that respond to social changes such as the activation of the untact (contactless) and digital economy after COVID-19.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korean Intellectual Property Office will also actively participate in establishing the 5th basic plan, develop standardization strategies in their respective fields, and prepare linkage measures between national standards and patents.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Detailed information on this year's implementation plans by the 16 ministries, agencies, and offices including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy can be found on the websites of the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards and each ministry, agency, and office.

Seong Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and chair of the council, stated, "To ensure the smooth implementation of the 2020 plan, as the overall agency of the 'whole-of-government participatory national standards operation system,' we will strengthen the overall management and support functions of standardization work and collaboration on standards among ministries and agencies."

Minister Seong added, "As this is an important time to establish the '5th Basic Plan,' we will make every effort to prepare for the 'post-COVID era' and establish a national mid- to long-term standards strategy that can actively respond to environmental changes such as the activation of non-face-to-face industries and the reorganization of the global value chain (GVC)."

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy