Korea Revises Tablet PC and Battery Cell Safety Standards (2026)
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
South Korea is moving to update two key product safety standards affecting tablet PCs and lithium battery cells. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) is proposing revisions under the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, and the proposal is open for public comment until July 10, 2026. The changes address a long-standing classification gap created by ever-larger smartphones and bring battery cell testing into closer alignment with the current international-harmonized standard.
For any company that manufactures, imports, or certifies tablets and the lithium cells inside today's mobile devices, these revisions carry direct certification and compliance consequences.
What Is Changing in This Korea Tablet PC Safety Standard Revision
The proposal contains two distinct revisions, one affecting how tablet PCs are classified and one affecting how battery cells are tested.
1. Tablet PC classification — diagonal screen size criterion raised
The diagonal screen-size threshold used to define a "tablet PC" subject to Safety Confirmation is being raised from 17 cm to 20 cm or more.
The reason is practical. Modern flagship smartphones, such as the Galaxy Ultra series, now have displays of 17 cm or larger. Under the existing 17 cm threshold, these large-screen phones could inadvertently be swept into the tablet PC category, creating classification confusion and inconsistent regulatory treatment. Raising the criterion to 20 cm cleanly separates large smartphones from genuine tablet PCs.
2. Battery cell testing — overcurrent charging test replaced with crush test
For lithium-based cells subject to Safety Certification, the self-inspection test item is changing:
Removed: Overcurrent Charging Test
Added: Crush Test
This change harmonizes the self-inspection regime with the requirements already specified in the current safety standard, KC 62133-2, which is Korea's national counterpart to the international IEC 62133-2 standard for portable lithium cells.
The cells affected are specifically lithium-based cells with an energy density of 700 Wh/L or higher and a maximum charging voltage of 4.4 V or higher, intended for use in smartphones, notebook computers, and tablet PCs. This is the high-energy cell class that powers virtually all modern premium mobile devices.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Current state | Proposed change | Who is affected |
Tablet PC scope (Safety Confirmation) | Diagonal screen ≥ 17 cm | Diagonal screen ≥ 20 cm | Tablet and large-phone makers/importers |
Cell self-inspection (Safety Certification) | Overcurrent Charging Test | Crush Test | Lithium cell manufacturers (≥700 Wh/L, ≥4.4 V) |
Standard alignment | Partial | Harmonized with KC 62133-2 | Cell makers, test labs, certification bodies |
In short: large smartphones near the old 17 cm line should no longer be misclassified as tablets, while high-energy lithium cell makers will need to demonstrate compliance through a crush test rather than the overcurrent charging test for self-inspection purposes.
What This Means for Manufacturers
Tablet and smartphone makers. If you produce or import devices with screens between 17 cm and 20 cm, your product's regulatory classification may shift. A large-screen smartphone previously at risk of being treated as a tablet PC should now fall outside the tablet PC Safety Confirmation scope once the revision takes effect. Conversely, devices at or above 20 cm remain firmly in the tablet PC category. You should re-confirm how each model in your lineup is classified.
Lithium cell manufacturers. If you make qualifying high-energy cells (≥700 Wh/L and ≥4.4 V) for phones, laptops, or tablets, the self-inspection test you rely on is changing. You will need to ensure your cells can pass a crush test and that your internal testing, documentation, and supplier data reflect the KC 62133-2-aligned requirement rather than the older overcurrent charging approach.
Test labs and certification bodies. Update internal test plans, quotation templates, and self-inspection checklists to reflect the test-item swap. Clients will look to you for guidance on transition timing.
Importers and brand owners. Confirm that your supply-chain documentation and certificates will remain valid under the revised criteria, and budget for any re-testing of affected cells.
Timeline and Required Actions
Key dates
Now → July 10, 2026: Public comment period open. Stakeholders may submit feedback to KATS.
After the comment period: KATS reviews submissions, finalizes the revision, and announces adoption and enforcement dates (to be confirmed in the final notice).
Recommended actions before the deadline
Audit your product portfolio. Identify every tablet and large-screen phone model near the 17–20 cm range, and every qualifying lithium cell (≥700 Wh/L, ≥4.4 V).
Assess test readiness. For affected cells, verify whether your existing data covers a crush test under KC 62133-2; if not, schedule testing.
Review classification impact. Determine whether any current Safety Confirmation registrations for tablet PCs will change once the threshold moves to 20 cm.
Submit comments if affected. If the revision creates a practical issue for your products, file feedback with KATS before July 10, 2026.
Plan for the transition. Watch for the final notice with adoption and enforcement dates, and align your certification renewal schedule accordingly.
