SAR Measurement Criteria Korea: Key Regulatory Update 2026

On December 5, 2025, the National Radio Research Agency (RRA) of Korea issued a partial revision to the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Measurement Criteria under Notice No. 2025-9. This regulatory update reflects Korea’s ongoing effort to harmonize national technical requirements with international standards while improving regulatory clarity and compliance efficiency for wireless device manufacturers.

The revision is particularly relevant for companies involved in product certification, regulatory compliance, and market access within South Korea.

SAR Measurement Criteria Korea: Key Changes for Compliance

The updated SAR Measurement Criteria Korea introduces two significant regulatory changes:

1. Adoption of KS C 3350 StandardThe revised framework replaces the previous KS C 3370-1 and KS C 3370-2 standards with the unified KS C 3350 standard. This change simplifies compliance by consolidating SAR measurement requirements into a single reference, aligned with international methodologies.

2. Clarification of Regulatory Scope and TerminologyThe revision improves the interpretation of technical requirements by refining definitions, terminology, and scope. This reduces ambiguity for manufacturers and testing laboratories, supporting more consistent regulatory implementation.

Legal Engineering Perspective: Impact on Product Compliance

From a legal engineering standpoint, this update reduces redundancy in testing procedures and aligns Korea’s regulatory framework with global best practices in electromagnetic exposure assessment.

Companies exporting wireless equipment to Korea should review their compliance strategies to ensure alignment with KS C 3350. Early adaptation will be critical to avoid certification delays and ensure uninterrupted market access.

Transition Timeline and Applicability

The revised regulation will enter into force on April 1, 2026.

Wireless equipment assessed under the previous SAR regulations prior to this date may continue to comply with the former requirements. This transitional provision allows manufacturers to manage existing certifications without immediate re-evaluation.