The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), an internationally accredited testing and certification body for power equipment, contributes to supporting the exports of domestic companies by being recognized as an accredited inspection body by ACCREDIA, an Italian international accreditation body.

The Korea Electric Research Institute announced on the 17th that it has been recognized as an ACCREDIA accredited inspection agency in the field of power equipment and has obtained the qualification to issue inspection certificates.

An 'Inspection Body' is an organization that verifies the performance and quality of various devices or products, and an 'Accreditation Body' is an organization that manages and supervises whether their operations are being conducted fairly.

ACCREDIA is a global accreditation body in the electric and power sector that is a full member of the International Accreditation Federation (IAF), the European Accreditation Association (EA), and the International Laboratory Accreditation Council (ILAC), and has signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) with these member organizations. Countries and institutions that have signed the MRA evaluate each other's test reports and certificates at an equal level and mutually accept them unconditionally.

KERI already acquired the qualification to issue internationally accredited product certifications from ACCREDIA in 2003, and for the past 20 years, it has contributed to enhancing the export competitiveness of domestic power equipment manufacturers by significantly reducing the time and cost involved in traveling to overseas product certification bodies.

On the other hand, specifications for devices and products have recently become more complex, and many countries around the world are requiring various versions of certifications depending on their specific circumstances. Accordingly, KERI pursued the qualification to issue inspection certifications in addition to existing product certifications, and after passing the rigorous review by ACCREDIA, it was recently recognized as an accredited inspection body. This means that domestic companies now have one more certification option to present to overseas customers through KERI.

The products subject to inspection are in six fields, including high-voltage switchgear, and internationally accredited inspection certificates can be issued for 73 standards, including 'IEC 62271-100'. The inspection certificates issued by KERI bear the ACCREDIA logo and are mutually recognized and accepted in a total of 82 countries.

KERI President Kim Nam-kyun stated, “Inspection certificates from the institute accredited by ACCREDIA have the same validity as those issued by overseas accredited inspection agencies and are therefore internationally recognized,” adding, “We will strive to enhance the international recognition and credibility of the various certificates and test reports issued by KERI to help expand the export base of domestic power equipment manufacturers.”

Meanwhile, KERI plans to participate in the 'Electric Energy Show 2023 In Hanoi' (May 17–19), held in Hanoi, Vietnam, to promote its testing and certification business. Through this, the plan is to further expand the international validity and usability of test and inspection certificates issued by the research institute.