Establishment of Legislation to Eradicate Forged and Altered Test Reports

KATS Holds Public Hearing on Enforcement Decree and Rules of the 'Conformity Assessment Management Act'

Lee Seung-woo, Director of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a public hearing on the enforcement decree and enforcement rules of the 'Conformity Assessment Management Act' on the 22nd at the National Institute of Technology and Standards to prevent fraudulent acts in testing and certification and to support the testing and certification industry.

At the public hearing, opinions were heard from testing and certification agencies, companies, and consumer organizations regarding ▲ legal measures against fraudulent test reports ▲ recognition procedures for Korean Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) accredited institutions ▲ support for strengthening the capabilities of the testing and certification industry.

Through this, the types of fraudulent acts were defined to enhance the reliability of test reports. Grounds for workplace inspections and requests for submission of materials were established. Testing and certification agencies were imposed with the obligation to retain materials necessary for investigations.

A National Institute of Technology and Standards official said, "If fraudulent acts are confirmed, testing and certification agencies will cancel the test reports and announce them on internet websites, newspapers, and broadcasts to eradicate the distribution of fraudulent test reports."

Matters related to KOLAS accredited institutions’ application for recognition, recognition requirements, and cancellation of recognition were also specified in the law.

KOLAS operates under the National Institute of Technology and Standards’ notice and is a system that guarantees the capabilities of testing and certification agencies so that test reports and certificates issued by domestic accredited institutions are recognized overseas.

A new penalty system was introduced to prevent corporate damages caused by gaps in testing and certification. For example, if an accredited institution should be suspended but there are no or insufficient other accredited institutions to meet the testing demand, a penalty will be imposed.

Institutional measures such as conducting surveys on the status of testing and certification, designating professional manpower training institutions, and upgrading facilities and equipment will be established to enhance the capabilities of the testing and certification industry.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards plans to prepare the enforcement decree and enforcement rules next month and announce them for public comment after consultation with related ministries.

Lee Seungwoo, head of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, said, "The 'Conformity Assessment Management Act,' scheduled to be enforced in April next year, will increase the reliability of test reports and certificates," adding, "It will contribute to developing the testing and certification industry into a service industry that creates quality jobs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.