KATS Allocates 'Record-Breaking' R&D Budget to Carbon Neutrality

2021 Budget 162.5 Billion Won... Focus on Carbon Neutrality and R&D

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 government has allocated the largest-ever budget this year for carbon neutrality standard research and development (R&D).

The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 7th that it will invest 162.5 billion KRW in standard R&D this year, a 20% increase from 135.2 billion KRW last year.

It has set four major focus policies: carbon neutrality standardization, strengthening safety management in the non-face-to-face era, expanding support for commercialization of innovative technologies, and improving the system for responding to technical regulations.

First, 62.2 billion KRW will be invested in the carbon neutrality standardization strategy. It will develop carbon neutrality standards using low-carbon and digital technologies in battery and hydrogen sectors.

This will be reflected in the upcoming 5th National Standard Basic Plan (2021?2025) in March. A "Carbon Neutrality Standardization Strategy Roadmap" will be established in the first half of the year.

Regular policy consultations on standard cooperation will be held with low-carbon industry and technology powerhouses such as the United States and Germany. Standard cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan will be strengthened.

Safety management of untact and online distribution products such as masks and air purifiers will be reinforced. These products will be added to the safety management targets. Safety investigations for indoor activity products such as indoor fitness equipment will be conducted.

The "Product Safety Basic Act" will be amended to introduce a hazardous product blocking system for major online malls such as Coupang and Naver. Businesses will be obligated to take recall enforcement measures.

In the testing and certification field, the support system for commercialization of new products will be expanded. New product certification (NEP) targets will be extended to new industry sectors such as future cars, materials, parts and equipment, and medical devices.

Additionally, the system for responding to technical regulations for small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-sized companies will be improved. A "Three-Year Comprehensive Plan for Responding to Technical Regulations (2021?2023)" will be established. The Trade Technical Barrier (TBT) Response Comprehensive Support Center will be expanded and reorganized as a permanent organization this month.

Lee Seung-woo, Director of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, said, "We will establish standardization strategies linked to industrial policies in a timely manner to support policy implementation," adding, "We will focus all our capabilities on enhancing corporate vitality and strengthening international competitiveness."

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