Introduction of a pilot purchasing system for technology development products and
Announcement of measures to expand public procurement of innovative products, etc.
Additional performance certification benefits in accordance with government SME policy
On the 4th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups signed a “Memorandum of Understanding for Strengthening Sales Channel Support and Activating Performance Certification for Technology Development Products of SMEs” with four testing and research institutions related to performance testing at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Seoul.

The four testing and research institutes related to performance testing are the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTR), the Korea Testing Certification (KTC), the Korea Construction & Living Environment Testing Institute (KCL), and the Korea Industrial Technology Testing Institute (KTL).

As the government has recently been actively promoting support policies to secure initial sales channels for innovative products from SMEs, such as the "introduction of a pilot purchasing system for technology-developed products" and the "announcement of measures to expand public procurement of innovative products," this initiative was launched to minimize corporate difficulties, such as cost burdens and time constraints, regarding performance certification of SME technology-developed products, and to further strengthen certification services and technical support.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups supports initial market entry by designating innovative SME products that have received 16 certifications, including patented products, New Technology (NET), and New Product (NEP), as “Technology Development Products Subject to Priority Purchase in Public Procurement.” “Technology Development Products Subject to Priority Purchase” are products certified by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups as having innovativeness and growth potential, and for these products, public institutions [value]It can be purchased through a private contract regardless of...

Through this agreement, starting January 1, 2019, testing and research institutions plan to reduce fees for obtaining performance certification by 20% or 25%. Additionally, they plan to establish a dedicated department within the institution to support sales channels and technology for small and medium-sized enterprises, provide performance certification services, and resolve difficulties. Furthermore, they plan to actively promote the “Public Procurement System for Technology Development Products” and the “Performance Certification System” in cooperation with the Korea Industry-Academic-Research Association.

Jo Bong-hwan, Director General of SME Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, “While we have continuously expanded the scale of purchasing SME products through the public procurement market, there have been shortcomings in opening up sales channels for innovative products,” adding, “Through this agreement, we plan to actively support SME products with outstanding ideas and technological capabilities in opening up initial markets.”