Preventing Proliferation of Certification Systems... New Certification Systems Must Pass Through the Technical Regulation Committee

Ministry of Industry Discusses 'Plan to Review Effectiveness of Conformity Assessment' at 58th Technical Regulation Committee Meeting

The government plans to make it mandatory to undergo a Technical Regulation Impact Assessment when establishing new certification systems in order to prevent unreasonable technical regulations. Additionally, to reflect the opinions from the business field, it will revise related regulations to allow businesspeople to participate in the Technical Regulation Committee (Gigyuwi).

The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 13th that it held the '58th Gigyuwi' at L Tower in Seoul to discuss these measures.

Since 2013, the National Institute of Technology and Standards has been evaluating the impact of newly established or strengthened technical regulations on businesses under the 'Framework Act on Administrative Regulations' to alleviate corporate burdens from a preemptive management perspective. For post-management, since 2019, it has been conducting the '3-year cycle conformity evaluation effectiveness review system,' which reviews the necessity of maintaining statutory certification systems every three years under the 'Framework Act on National Standards.' To this end, it operates the Technical Regulation Committee composed of private experts in the field of technical regulations.

First, the committee decided to curb the establishment of new certifications to reduce the burden on businesses and the general public. Going forward, the review by Gigyuwi will be mandatory when establishing new certification systems. A National Institute of Technology and Standards official explained, "Various agencies have created certification systems for promotional purposes while carrying out various projects, leading to a proliferation of certification systems. Until now, only internal technical regulation impact assessments were conducted when establishing certification systems, but from now on, it will be mandatory to review them through specialized subcommittees and Gigyuwi."

To better reflect opinions from the field, participation of businesspeople will also be expanded. Until now, businesspeople could not participate as members of Gigyuwi, but going forward, regulations will be revised to allow businesspeople to be appointed as members. However, members who have conflicts of interest with the relevant regulations will be excluded from reviewing related agenda items to ensure public interest.

Lee Chang-su, Director of the Technical Regulation Response Bureau at the National Institute of Technology and Standards, said, "The government will work harder with Gigyuwi to ensure that technical regulations are necessary for the public and businesses while being reasonable regulations at an appropriate level."