CR series coin cells do not require Korean KC certification

Full name of the battery KC certification standard: KC 62133-2 휴대기기용 밀폐 리튬이차전지 안전 (Safety of sealed lithium secondary batteries for portable equipment)

Issuing authority: 국가기술표준원 KATS (Korea Agency for Technology and Standards)

Scope of control: 【리튬이차전지 = Lithium secondary / rechargeable lithium batteries】, not primary batteries.

Conclusion: Lithium manganese coin batteries (primary lithium batteries, non-rechargeable) are not included in the scope of Korea’s mandatory KC certification. (KC 62133 governs rechargeable lithium secondary batteries and explicitly excludes primary lithium coin cells.)

Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions

❌ Misconception: All lithium batteries require KC certification → Incorrect! Mandatory KC applies only to rechargeable lithium secondary batteries. Primary lithium batteries (CR series coin cells) are exempt from mandatory KC.

❌ Misconception: If built into an end product, the battery itself needs a separate KC certification → Incorrect! KC certification for the finished product is sufficient. There is no mandatory KC requirement for the battery alone, though relevant safety standards must still be met.

Two Easily Confused Korean Regulations

1. 전기용품안전관리법 《Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act》 → Governs mandatory KC certification standards (KC 62133 for rechargeable lithium batteries)

2. 생활용품안전관리법 《Consumer Products Safety Control Act》 → 안전확인 Safety Confirmation (includes safety requirements for coin batteries, but this is not mandatory KC certification 인증. Many Korean buyers casually refer to it as "KC", which leads to widespread confusion!)

《부속서5 (Appendix 5)》 ≠ KC62133. It belongs to Safety Confirmation for consumer goods (안전확인대상생활용품), not the mandatory KC certification for electrical appliances (전기용품안전인증).

Original text: [부속서 5] 건전지(충전지를 제외한다) Batteries (excluding rechargeable batteries)｜Safety standards for consumer products subject to Safety Confirmation