Assigning 'Electrical Equipment Safety Ratings' to Traditional Markets, Accommodation Facilities, and Kindergartens

'Electric Safety Management Act' to be Enforced from the 1st of Next Month

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] From now on, a 'Electrical Equipment Safety Grade' reflecting the aging and management status of multi-use facilities such as traditional markets, lodging facilities, and kindergartens will be assigned. If an excellent grade is received, the inspection cycle will be extended by one year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 31st that the 'Electric Safety Management Act,' promulgated in March last year, will be fully enforced from the 1st of next month.

The Electric Safety Act is a law enacted by separating and strengthening safety-related regulations from the Electric Utility Act to enhance public safety and expand the safety management system.

First, the Electric Safety Act requires the Minister of Industry to establish and implement a basic plan for electric safety management every five years for systematic electric safety management, including the prevention of electrical disasters.

To enable customized management according to the condition of electrical equipment, an electrical equipment safety grading system (5 grades, A to E) reflecting aging and management status will be introduced. The targets are

traditional markets, multi-use facilities (lodging facilities, kindergartens, etc.), and district electricity business operators' equipment. The process proceeds in the order of 'safety inspection → grade notification → equipment improvement (by owner) → change application → change grade notification.'

Incentives such as adjustment of inspection and examination timing (inspection cycle extended by one year) are provided for excellent grades (A) based on inspection results, and safety grades can be changed if measures such as electrical equipment improvement are taken.

To strengthen electrical equipment safety, a regular inspection system has been newly established requiring apartment units and other multi-family housing aged 25 years or more to undergo safety inspections every three years. Rural lodging facilities and electric vehicle charging facilities must undergo safety inspections before starting business (or when the operator changes). For renewable energy generation facilities, the inspection timing has been adjusted to require pre-use inspections at each process stage.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, "Through the enforcement of the Electric Safety Management Act, we expect to establish a more thorough safety management network that allows the public to feel more secure about electrical safety management. We will also prepare all necessary matters for the enforcement of the law, including the establishment of the basic plan, without any setbacks, and will continue to make institutional and policy improvements to ensure public safety."

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