CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters concerning the promotion of related business and technology development to elevate the reliability of conformity assessment, thereby contributing to enhancing national competitiveness and improving public safety and welfare by reinforcing the competitiveness of conformity assessment institutions.
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
| 1. | The term “conformity assessment” means conformity assessment under subparagraph 19 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on National Standards, which consists of calibration, certification, testing, inspection, etc. conducted to determine whether products, services, processes, etc. meet the requirements of national standards, international standards, etc.; |
| 2. | The term “conformity assessment institution” means a calibration institution, a certification institution, a testing institution, or an inspection institution that issues certificates falling under any of the items of subparagraph 10; |
| 4. | The term “certification institution” means an institution that proves that products, services, processes, systems, etc. meet the specified requirements; |
| 5. | The term “testing institution” means an institution that tests the attributes of products, services, processes, etc. according to the specified requirements; |
| 6. | The term “inspection institution” means an institution that inspects products, services, processes, etc. to determine whether they conform to the specified requirements; |
| 7. | The term “conformity assessment institution accreditation” means administrative action that an organization with official authority evaluates a conformity assessment institution and guarantees the capability thereof; |
| 8. | The term “accredited institution” means a conformity assessment institution that has obtained accreditation from the accrediting agency pursuant to Article 8; |
| 9. | The term “conformity assessment business entity” means a conformity assessment institution, other than a manufacturer or user of products, etc., that renders related services with consideration; |
| 10. | The term “certificate” means any of the following; |
| (a) | Calibration certificate: A document that records the results of a series of work which fixes a value determined by a measuring instrument, reference material, scale, measuring system, etc. under specified conditions as a relation between the values determined in accordance with the standards; |
| (b) | Certificate: A document that records the results of certification conducted by a certification institution in accordance with the prescribed procedures and methods for products, services or processes; |
| (c) | Test certificate: A document that records the results of technical measurement of at least one attribute of a specific product, service or process conducted by a testing institution according to the prescribed procedures; |
| (d) | Inspection certificate: A document that records the results of inspection conducted by an inspection institution in accordance with the prescribed procedures and methods for products, services or processes. |
| Article 3 (Relationship to Other Statutes) |
Conformity assessment shall be governed by this Act, except as otherwise provided in any other statute.
CHAPTER II CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT SERVICES
| Article 4 (Formulation of Policies for Conformity Assessment) |
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall render the following conformity assessment-related services in order to elevate the reliability of conformity assessment:
| 1. | Formulating and implementing policies for conformity assessment; |
| 2. | Establishing or amending standards for conformity assessment; |
| 3. | Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy to improve conformity assessment. |
| Article 5 (Issuance of Certificates) |
| (1) | An accredited institution shall take technical and administrative measures prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to prevent the forgery and falsification of certificates. |
| (2) | An accredited institution and a conformity assessment business entity shall retain and manage conformity assessment-related data concerning certificates issued by them for a fixed period, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| (3) | Neither an accredited institution nor a conformity assessment business entity shall commit any of the following acts in issuing a certificate: |
| 1. | Deliberately manipulating assessment results; |
| 2. | Issuing a certificate without assessment; |
| 3. | Issuing a certificate by fraud or other improper means or methods. |
| (4) | No accredited institution shall issue a certificate that has any error prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as omission of test items or misapplication of measurement standards. |
| (5) | A conformity assessment client or a person who uses the results of conformity assessment for business purposes shall not forge or falsify a certificate issued by a conformity assessment institution nor use a certificate with knowledge that it is issued in violation of any one or more of paragraph (3) 1 through 3. |
| Article 6 (Investigations into Fraudulent Acts) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall perform the following affairs to prevent the issuance, distribution and use of a certificate against Article 5: |
| 1. | Receiving a report on and providing consultation about the issuance, distribution, and use of a fraudulent certificate; |
| 2. | Investigating and confirming facts, and hearing opinions of related parties; |
| 3. | Requesting a certificate-related data from an accredited institution and a conformity assessment business entity; |
| 4. | Inspecting a place of business in relation to a certificate; |
| 5. | Other matters necessary to investigate fraudulent acts. |
| (2) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall inform an accredited institution, a conformity assessment business entity, a conformity assessment client, etc. in writing of the results of investigation under paragraph (1). |
| (3) | In order to efficiently perform the affairs under paragraph (1), the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may entrust all or some of the affairs to a specialized institution, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (4) | Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy entrusts affairs, such as an investigation into a fraudulent act, under paragraph (3), he or she may dispatch a public official under his or her control to the specialized institution entrusted, in accordance with Article 32-4 of the State Public Officials Act. |
| (5) | An accredited institution and a conformity assessment business entity shall take measures, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, to prevent the distribution of a certificate which is found to be in violation of Article 5 (3) through the investigation, etc. under paragraph (1). |
CHAPTER III ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCREDITING AGENCY AND ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS
| Article 7 (Establishment of Accrediting Agency) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall establish and operate an agency (hereinafter referred to as “accrediting agency”) that evaluates conformity assessment institutions in accordance with statutes and the standards set by international standards-related organizations and officially recognizes the capability thereof. |
| (2) | The accrediting agency shall promote the following: |
| 1. | Accreditation or revocation of accreditation of institutions; |
| 2. | Follow-up management and supervision of accredited institutions; |
| 3. | International cooperation, such as mutual accreditation among accredited institutions; |
| 4. | Other matters necessary for accrediting institutions. |
| (3) | The accrediting agency shall establish and publicly notify accreditation standards in accordance with statutes and the standards set by international organizations. |
| (4) | Other matters necessary for establishing and operating the accrediting agency shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 8 (Accreditation of Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | An entity that seeks to be an accredited institution shall file an application for accreditation with the head of the accrediting agency, along with documents specifying human resources, equipment, technical requirements, etc., as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| (2) | Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the head of the accrediting agency shall evaluate whether the entity meets the accreditation standards under Article 7 (3), and then decide on the accreditation thereof. |
| (3) | Where the head of the accrediting agency accredits an entity that has applied for accreditation under paragraph (1) as an accredited institution, he or she shall issue the entity a certificate of accreditation as accredited institution. |
| (4) | Matters necessary for the procedures for accreditation application, requirements for accreditation, and the issuance of certificates of accreditation under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| (5) | An institution that has been accredited by the accrediting agency shall keep documents related to conformity assessment as specified in the accreditation standards under Article 7 (3). |
| Article 9 (Period of Validity of Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | The validity period of accreditation as an accredited institution shall be for four years commencing on the date of accreditation. |
| (2) | The head of the accrediting agency may extend accreditation through re-evaluation every four years after the initial accreditation. |
| (3) | Matters necessary for the procedures for applying for extension of accreditation under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| Article 10 (Grounds for Disqualification) |
No entity that falls under any of the following subparagraphs may file an application to accredit itself as an accredited institution:
| 1. | An entity for which six months have not elapsed since it was judged not to be eligible for accreditation; |
| 2. | An entity for which one year has not elapsed since its accreditation was revoked; |
| 3. | An entity for which two years have not elapsed since it was sentenced to a punishment under Article 26, so its accreditation was revoked. |
| Article 11 (Use of Accreditation Mark) |
| (1) | The head of the accrediting agency may produce a mark indicating accreditation (hereinafter referred to as “accreditation mark”), and permit an accredited institution to use such mark. |
| (2) | An accredited institution may issue a certificate on which an accreditation mark is placed, and indicate on a certificate, document or advertisement that it is an accredited institution. |
| (3) | An entity that has not obtained accreditation under Article 8 shall not put, in the place of business or on a certificate or advertisement, an accreditation mark, a label or advertisement indicating that it is an accredited institution, or a label or advertisement that can mislead people to believe that it is an accredited institution. |
| (4) | Matters necessary for the design of an accreditation mark and the methods of affixing thereof, and for the methods of indicating that an entity is an accredited institution, shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| Article 12 (Periodic Inspections) |
| (1) | An accredited institution shall undergo a periodic inspection (hereinafter referred to as “periodic inspection”) by the head of the accrediting agency. |
| (2) | The head of the accrediting agency may conduct a special inspection if any of the following subparagraphs applies: |
| 1. | Where there arises a dispute over a certificate issued by an accredited institution; |
| 2. | Where a serious defect is found as a result of the on-site inspection of an accredited institution judged to be unsatisfactory continuously at least twice in the skill tests; |
| 3. | Other cases where a special inspection is deemed necessary by the head of the accrediting agency. |
| (3) | Methods and procedures for periodic inspections and special inspections under paragraphs (1) and (2), and other necessary matters, shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| Article 13 (Revocation of Accreditation) |
| (1) | The head of the accrediting agency may revoke the accreditation of an accredited institution regarding all or some of its accredited items, or issue the accredited institution an order to suspend the use of an accreditation label and the title ‘accredited institution’ for a period of not more than six months or an order for improvement, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, if it falls under any of the following subparagraphs: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1 or 2, he or she shall revoke the accreditation thereof; and in cases falling under subparagraph 10, he or she may revoke the accreditation thereof or issue an order to suspend the use of an accreditation label and the title ‘accredited institution’: |
| 1. | Where it violates an order to suspend the use of an accreditation label and the title ‘accredited institution’; |
| 2. | Where it has obtained accreditation by fraud or improper means; |
| 3. | Where it is impossible to comply with the accreditation standards; |
| 4. | Where it issues a certificate by fraud or improper means; |
| 5. | Where it is impossible to perform its duties as an accredited institution due to dishonor or other reasons; |
| 6. | Where a serious defect is found in technology, human resources, equipment or environment, or an improvement is required, as a result of a periodic or special inspection; |
| 7. | Where it refuses or interferes with a periodic or special inspection; |
| 8. | Where it fails to undergo a periodic inspection within the period prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; |
| 9. | Where it issues a certificate on which an accreditation label is put for other than its accredited field; |
| 10. | Where it fails to comply with an order to suspend the use of an accreditation label and the title ‘accredited institution’ or an order for improvement, which is issued on grounds of any of subparagraphs 3 through 9. |
| (2) | Where the head of the accrediting agency revokes its accreditation or issues an order to suspend the use of an accreditation label and the title ‘accredited institution’ or an order for improvement under paragraph (1), it shall publicly announce such fact and notify the person subject to such disposition or his or her agent thereof, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| (3) | If the accreditation of an accredited institution is revoked, the institution shall return its written accreditation without delay. |
| Article 14 (Imposition of Penalty Surcharges) |
| (1) | Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy is required to issue an order to suspend the use of the accreditation label of accredited institution and the title ‘accredited institution’ pursuant to Article 13, he or she may impose and collect a penalty surcharge not exceeding 500 million won in lieu of the suspension of use if such suspension of use is likely to cause severe inconvenience to users of the relevant services. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the types of violations subject to penalty surcharge under paragraph (1), the amount of penalty surcharge depending on the gravity of violation, and the methods for collecting penalty surcharges shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (3) | If a person liable to pay a penalty surcharge pursuant to paragraph (1) fails to pay the penalty surcharge by the prescribed deadline, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall collect it in the same manner as delinquent national taxes are collected. |
| Article 15 (Designation of Management System Accreditation Agencies) |
| (1) | With respect to the system for certification of management systems, such as quality management systems and environmental management systems pursuant to Article 24 of the Framework Act on National Standards, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may designate a private organization that meets the designation standards prescribed by Presidential Decree as an accrediting agency (hereinafter referred to as “management system accreditation agency”) to perform accreditation services. |
| (2) | When designating a management system accreditation agency pursuant to paragraph (1), the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall determine the field of business that the management system accreditation agency will perform, and the validity period of designation as the management system accreditation agency shall be for four years beginning on the date of designation. In such cases, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may extend the designation of the management system accreditation agency through re-evaluation every four years from the date of initial designation. |
| (3) | If a management system accreditation agency designated pursuant to paragraph (1) falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may completely or partially revoke its designation or issue an order to suspend all or part of its business for a fixed period of not more than six months, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1 or 2, the designation shall be revoked: |
| 1. | Where it is designated as a management system accreditation agency by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where it performs accreditation services during the period of business suspension after receiving the order to suspend business; |
| 3. | Where it ceases to meet the designation standards under paragraph (1); |
| 4. | Where it issues a written accreditation by fraud or improper means; |
| 5. | Where it performs accreditation services in violation of the accreditation standards; |
| 6. | Where it fails to take a disposition under Article 13 (1), without good cause. |
| (4) | A management system accreditation agency shall establish and publicly announce regulations including matters concerning accreditation standards, procedures, marks, revocation of accreditation, and follow-up management of conformity assessment institutions; and the same shall also apply to any modification of such regulations. |
| (5) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may guide, supervise and support a private organization designated as a management system accreditation agency pursuant to paragraph (1). |
| (6) | Other matters necessary for designating, operating, and revoking the designation of management system accreditation agencies shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
CHAPTER IV SUPPORT FOR STRENGTHENING CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT SERVICE CAPABILITIES
| Article 16 (Investigations into Actual Conditions of Conformity Assessment) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall investigate the actual conditions of conformity assessment to formulate policies related to conformity assessment and enhance competitiveness in conformity assessment. |
| (2) | If deemed necessary for the investigation into actual conditions under paragraph (1), the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may request the head of a relevant administrative agency, research institute or educational institution, or a conformity assessment institution, to provide necessary materials or opinions. In such cases, the person so requested shall comply with such request, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. |
| (3) | Matters necessary for the details of and timing and procedures for the investigations into actual conditions under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 17 (Training of Professionals) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may designate a relevant institution or organization as a professional training institution, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to improve the expertise and competitiveness of human resources who perform conformity assessment services. |
| (2) | A professional training institution shall perform the following: |
| 1. | Supply and demand analysis for conformity assessment-related professionals, and the development of human resources; |
| 2. | Development and operation of advanced techniques, educational programs, curriculums, and educational materials to strengthen the competitiveness of conformity assessment services; |
| 3. | Strengthening cooperation with academia, industry and public institutions to train conformity assessment-related professionals; |
| 4. | Other work necessary for training and educating conformity assessment-related professionals. |
| (3) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may, within the budgetary limits, reimburse professional training institutions for all or some of the expenses involved. |
| (4) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may revoke the designation of a professional training institution or order its business suspended for a fixed period of not more than six months, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, if it falls under any of the following subparagraphs: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1, the designation shall be revoked: |
| 1. | Where it is designated as such by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where it ceases to meet the designation requirements; |
| 3. | Where it fails to commence or delays training professionals, without good cause; |
| 4. | Where it fails to train professionals continuously for not less than one year, without good cause. |
| (5) | The standards for designation of professional training institutions under paragraph (1), detailed standards and procedures for disposition under paragraph (4), and other necessary matters, shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| Article 18 (International Cooperation) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall identify international trends in conformity assessment services and promote international cooperation. |
| (2) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may implement a program for the exchange of information and technology on conformity assessment services, the international exchange of personnel, international co-investigation and research and development, and the provision of information on overseas market expansion, in order to promote international cooperation concerning conformity assessment services and the advance of conformity assessment institutions into overseas markets. |
| Article 19 (Promotion of Technology Development) |
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may promote the following projects for technology development and improvement of technology level concerning conformity assessment:
| 1. | Trends in the conformity assessment system and demand surveys on conformity assessment; |
| 2. | Development and utilization of conformity assessment standards for conformity assessment demand; |
| 3. | Research, development and utilization of applied technology on conformity assessment; |
| 4. | Transfer of technology and exchange of information on conformity assessment; |
| 5. | Development of reference material and test equipment related to conformity assessment; |
| 6. | Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| Article 20 (Expanding and Upgrading Conformity Assessment Facilities and Equipment) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may periodically investigate the status of research and development facilities and equipment so as to efficiently expand and upgrade conformity assessment facilities and equipment for emerging industries. |
| (2) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may formulate the following plans, reflecting the results of investigation under paragraph (1): |
| 1. | A plan to expand facilities and equipment for conformity assessment; |
| 2. | A plan to operate and share facilities and equipment for conformity assessment; |
| 3. | A plan to upgrade facilities and equipment for conformity assessment; |
| 4. | Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. |
| (3) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may reimburse all or some of expenses incurred by a conformity assessment institution in expanding or upgrading facilities and equipment for conformity assessment based on the plans formulated under paragraph (2), as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
CHAPTER V SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
| Article 21 (Requests for Materials and Inspections) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may request a conformity assessment business entity and an accredited institution to submit necessary materials, such as relevant articles and documents, in any of the following cases: |
| 1. | Where any violation of this Act is found or suspected; |
| 2. | Where any violation of this Act is reported; |
| 3. | Other cases prescribed by Presidential Decree, which are necessary to prevent fraud, forgery or falsification in relation to conformity assessment. |
| (2) | Where a conformity assessment business entity or an accredited institution fails to furnish materials under paragraph (1) or is regarded as having violated this Act, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may require a public official under his or her control to enter the place of business of the conformity assessment business entity or accredited institution to inspect the status of business operations, relevant articles and documents, facilities, equipment, etc. |
| (3) | Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy intends to conduct an inspection under paragraph (2), he or she shall notify the person to be inspected of an inspection plan which includes the date, reasons, and details of such inspection, by seven days prior to the inspection: Provided, That the same shall not apply where an immediate inspection is necessary or giving prior notice would likely result in the destruction of evidence or other harm to the inspection thereby defeating the purpose of such inspection. |
| (4) | A public official who enters the place of business or conducts an inspection pursuant to paragraph (2) shall carry a certificate indicating his or her authority and produce it to a related person, and shall provide the related person with a document stating his or her name, time of entrance and exit, purpose, etc. |
| Article 22 (Announcement of Punishment) |
| (1) | With respect to a conformity assessment business entity or an accredited institution that is punished pursuant to Article 26 for a fraudulent act committed in relation to a certificate under Article 5 (3), the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may announce such violation, the details of punishment, the name of the relevant business entity or institution, the name of the representative, and other matters necessary for identifying such business entity or institution, which are prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, when determining whether to make an announcement, the motivation, severity, frequency, results, etc. of violation shall be considered. |
| (2) | Before making an announcement under paragraph (1), the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall notify a person subject to announcement of such fact to provide an opportunity to submit explanatory materials or appear and state his or her opinions. |
| (3) | Procedures, methods, standards, etc. for announcements under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall hold a hearing if he or she intends to revoke the accreditation of an accredited institution under Article 13 (1), the designation of a management system accreditation agency under Article 15 (3), or the designation of a professional training institution under Article 17 (4).
A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall pay a fee, as prescribed by Presidential Decree:
| 1. | A person who intends to be an accredited institution pursuant to Article 8 (1); |
| 2. | A person who intends to expand or change the field of accreditation accredited pursuant to Article 8 (1); |
| 3. | A person who intends to undergo re-evaluation for extension of accreditation pursuant to Article 9 (2); |
| 4. | A person who intends to obtain designation as a management system accreditation agency, to extend or change such designation, or to undergo re-evaluation pursuant to Article 15 (1) and (2). |
| Article 25 (Delegation and Entrustment of Authority) |
| (1) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may delegate part of his or her authority under this Act to the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, the Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of an agency affiliated with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may entrust some of his or her affairs under this Act to the head of an institution or organization that performs affairs relating to conformity assessment, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
CHAPTER VI PENALTY PROVISIONS
| Article 26 (Penalty Provisions) |
A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won:
| 1. | A person who issues a certificate in violation of Article 5 (3) 1; |
| 2. | A person who receives or uses a certificate, knowing that it is issued in violation of Article 5 (3) 1; |
| 3. | A person who issues a certificate in violation of Article 5 (3) 2; |
| 4. | A person who receives or uses a certificate, knowing that it is issued in violation of Article 5 (3) 2; |
| 5. | A person who issues a certificate in violation of Article 5 (3) 3; |
| 6. | A person who receives or uses a certificate, knowing that it is issued in violation of Article 5 (3) 3; |
| Article 27 (Joint Penalty Provisions) |
If the representative of a legal entity or an agent, servant or other employee of a legal entity or individual commits an offense provided in Article 26 in the course of performing the duties of the legal entity or individual, not only shall the offender be punished accordingly, but the legal entity or individual shall be punished by a fine pursuant to the said provision: Provided, That this shall not apply where the legal entity or individual has not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision concerning the relevant duties to prevent such offense and has taken measures required under Article 6 (5).
| Article 28 (Administrative Fines) |
| (1) | A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 30 million won: |
| 1. | A person who has obtained the accreditation of an accredited institution by fraud or other improper means and uses an accreditation mark or a label indicating that it is an accredited institution; |
| 2. | A person who puts an accreditation mark or a label or advertisement indicating that it is an accredited institution, in violation of Article 11 (3); |
| 3. | A person who uses an accreditation mark or a label indicating that it is an accredited institution after its accreditation as an accredited institution is revoked or during the period of suspension of use under Article 13 (1). |
| (2) | A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 10 million won: |
| 1. | A person who refuses, interferes with, or evades a periodic or special inspection in violation of Article 12 (1) or (2); |
| 2. | A person who fails to submit materials, such as relevant articles and documents, or submits false materials, in violation of Article 21 (1); |
| 3. | A person who refuses, interferes with, or evades entrance or an inspection under Article 21 (2). |
| (3) | A person who issues a certificate that has any error prescribed by Presidential Decree in violation of Article 5 (4) shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding five million won. |
| (4) | Administrative fines under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 29 (Restriction on Employment) |
Neither a person who was sentenced to a fine and for whom one year has not passed since the ruling on such sentence became final, nor a person who was sentenced to imprisonment with labor and for whom two years have not passed since his or her imprisonment was completely executed (including cases where execution is deemed to have been completed) or exempted, under Article 26, may be employed in an accredited institution.
ADDENDA <Act No. 17193, Apr. 7, 2020>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Institutions)