Exclusion from CCM Certification for Future Serious Consumer Issues

Fair Trade Commission Revises and Improves CCM Certification System Audit Standards

Consumer-Centered Management

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] From now on, companies that cause serious consumer issues will be excluded from the Consumer-Centered Management (CCM) certification.

The Fair Trade Commission announced on the 19th that it has finalized the amendment to the "Regulations on the Operation and Evaluation of the CCM Certification System," which will be applied starting from the evaluation in the first half of this year.

The CCM certification system is a government certification granted to companies that conduct all business activities?from product planning, production, distribution, to after-sales service?from the consumer's perspective. The Fair Trade Commission certifies the companies, and the Korea Consumer Agency operates the system.

According to the amendment to the regulations on CCM operation and evaluation, even if a company meets the score requirements of the evaluation criteria, it can be excluded from certification if it causes serious consumer problems or is deemed inappropriate for certification after review.

To strengthen and spread the realization of social values from the consumer perspective, a new category called "Realization of Social Value" has been established to evaluate ethical management, social responsibility, consumer safety, and win-win cooperation with partner companies. Additionally, if a company contributes to enhancing consumer rights by supporting CCM certification for small and medium-sized enterprises and other partner companies, it will be awarded a "win-win cooperation" bonus score (up to 5%).

The newly established regulations on CCM cancellation, also finalized on this day, include criteria for judgment and procedures for cancellation. If a company no longer meets certification standards or receives corrective orders due to violations of consumer-related laws, the certification body will hold a certification review committee meeting to discuss whether to cancel the certification. The Fair Trade Commission will decide on cancellation after deliberation and resolution by the review committee.

The Fair Trade Commission plans to apply the revised evaluation criteria starting from the first half of 2021 evaluations. Together with the Korea Consumer Agency, it will prepare evaluation criteria guides and hold briefing sessions to promote the improvements in the system.