Criteria for Measuring How Well My Car Withstands Sunlight Established as International Standard

KATS Introduces 'Weathering Test Method' Based on Domestic Testing Equipment to the World
"Securing International Standards to Pave the Way for Domestic Testing Equipment's Entry into Overseas Markets"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 27th that it proposed the standard draft for the 'Outdoor Weathering Accelerated Test Method' to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which has been established and published as an international standard.

Products used outdoors, such as automobiles and building exterior materials, are more favored by consumers when their weather resistance (the ability to withstand sunlight, temperature, humidity, wind, etc.) is strong.

As weather resistance tests become more accurate, the ability to predict the outdoor service life of products increases, leading to a continuous rise in consumer demand.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, National Institute of Technology and Standards

The National Institute of Technology and Standards established the standard draft at ISO in 2013, and it has now been established and published as an international standard (ISO/TS 21488)*.

This standard is even more meaningful as it was created based on domestically developed testing equipment by the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL), a domestic testing research institute.

Through the National Standard Technology Enhancement Project of the institute, industry, academia, and research collaborated, including Kim Changhwan, senior researcher at KCL, Kim Sungjin, team leader at Camtic Comprehensive Technology Institute, and Choi Seonwoong, professor at Hannam University.

Generally, it takes 3 to 5 years to establish an international standard, but this standard draft took 8 years due to the scrutiny and rigorous verification procedures, including resistance from countries producing weathering test equipment such as the United States, Germany, and Japan.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, National Institute of Technology and Standards

The newly established test method allows continuous 24-hour weathering tests using natural sunlight (daytime) and artificial sunlight (nighttime).

The test period is reduced to one-third of the previous duration, enabling prediction of two years of usage results with about eight months of testing. Previously, predictions were only possible in specific regions with desert climates where clear weather lasted over ten months.

This test method shortens the test period by conducting tests at night and has the advantage of being applicable in any climate region worldwide.

The institute expects that the weathering test method applying domestically developed testing equipment, now established as an international standard, will also enable the entry of domestic testing equipment into overseas markets.

Lee Seungwoo, director of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, evaluated, "While major advanced countries are using strategies to expand their equipment markets by establishing test methods using their own equipment as international standards, it is meaningful that an international standard applying domestic testing equipment has been established."

He added, "In connection with the government's 'Materials, Parts, and Equipment 2.0 Strategy,' we will continue to actively support the international standardization of test methods utilizing testing and inspection equipment developed domestically."

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