South Korea has proposed amendments to vehicle certification and inspection procedures, expanding requirements to cover motor vehicles and parts through multiple regulatory updates.
SOUTH KOREA – VEHICLE AND PARTS
South Korea Updates Vehicle and Parts Certification Standards
Manufacturers must meet new inspection protocols and performance benchmarks.
What changed
Updated inspection protocols for vehicle certification and compliance procedures.
New performance benchmarks established for motor vehicles and their parts.
Revised self-certification rules with updated procedural requirements for manufacturers.
Who it affects
Vehicle manufacturers must follow updated certification protocols for HS 870390.
Parts manufacturers must meet new performance standards for HS 870322, 870850, 870321, 870829.
Self-certifying manufacturers must demonstrate compliance under revised procedural requirements.
Compliance Analysis: South Korea’s Amended Vehicle Certification and Inspection Procedures for Motor Vehicles and Parts
1. Overview of Amendments
South Korea’s proposed amendments to vehicle certification and inspection procedures expand regulatory requirements for motor vehicles and parts, with a particular focus on partial autonomous driving systems (Level 3). The revisions align domestic standards with international norms (e.g., UNECE regulations) to reduce compliance burdens for manufacturers and enhance safety. Key updates include:
- Performance and safety standards for autonomous driving functions (e.g., lane-keeping, collision avoidance).
- Self-certification procedures for vehicles and parts, including labeling and pricing transparency.
- Driver monitoring and system interaction requirements to ensure human oversight during autonomous operation.
- Data recording and cybersecurity obligations for autonomous systems.
The amendments are grounded in two primary regulations:
- Revision of the Rules on the Performance and Standards for Motor Vehicles and their Parts (1).
- Draft amendment of the Regulations on the Self-Certification of Motor Vehicles and Parts (2).
2. Key Regulatory Changes
A. Performance and Safety Standards for Partial Autonomous Driving Systems
The amendments introduce detailed technical and operational requirements for automated lane-keeping systems (ALKS) and associated components. Below is a structured breakdown of critical provisions:
1. Definitions and Scope
The regulations define core terms to clarify the scope of compliance (1):
| Term | Definition | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Lane-Keeping System (ALKS) | A system that maintains a vehicle’s lateral and longitudinal position within a lane, including speed control, collision avoidance, and emergency maneuvers. | 1 |
| Emergency Operation | A system-initiated maneuver to avoid or mitigate an imminent collision when the driver cannot respond to a transition demand. | 1 |
| Minimum Risk Maneuver (MRM) | An automated procedure to minimize danger (e.g., controlled deceleration, lane positioning) when the driver fails to respond to a transition demand or a critical system failure occurs. | 1 |
| Designated Maximum Speed (Vsmax) | The maximum speed at which ALKS can operate safely under optimal conditions, as determined by the manufacturer (capped at 110 km/h). | 1 |
| Detection Distance | The range within which ALKS sensors must reliably detect objects (e.g., vehicles, lane markings) and generate control signals, accounting for component wear and environmental conditions. | 1 |
| Serious Failure | A malfunction in critical components (e.g., ECU, braking system) that impairs ALKS safety, including single-sensor failures combined with other faults. | 1 |
2. ALKS Performance Requirements
The amendments specify mandatory functional and operational criteria for ALKS (1):
| Requirement | Details | Citation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation/Deactivation | – ALKS must be manually activated/deactivated by the driver (e.g., via a single long press or dual simultaneous inputs). – Defaults to off mode upon engine restart (except for stop-start systems). – Deactivation must require the driver to grip the steering wheel. | 1 | |
| Operating Conditions | – ALKS may only activate if: – Driver is seated and wearing a seatbelt. – Driver is attentive (e.g., hands on wheel, eyes on road). – Road is physically divided (e.g., median barriers) and prohibits pedestrians/cyclists. – All critical systems (e.g., self-diagnostics, driver monitoring, data recorder) are functional. | 1 | |
| Speed Control | – ALKS must automatically adjust speed based on road curvature, weather, and traffic conditions. – Maximum operational speed: 110 km/h (manufacturer-defined Vsmax may not exceed this). – Minimum safe distance: Calculated using the formula: `S = max1` where `S` = safe distance (m), `VALKS` = vehicle speed (m/s), and `t_front1/t_front2` = time gaps (see table below). | 1 | |
| Safe Distance Table | 1 | ||
| Vehicle Speed (km/h) | Vehicle Speed (m/s) | Minimum Safe Distance (m) | Time Gap (s) |
| 7.2 | 2.00 | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| 10 | 2.78 | 3.1 | 1.1 |
| 20 | 5.56 | 6.7 | 1.2 |
| 30 | 8.33 | 10.8 | 1.3 |
| 40 | 11.11 | 15.6 | 1.4 |
| 50 | 13.89 | 20.8 | 1.5 |
| 60 | 16.67 | 26.7 | 1.6 |
| 70 | 19.44 | 33.1 | 1.7 |
| 80 | 22.22 | 40.0 | 1.8 |
| 90 | 25.00 | 47.5 | 1.9 |
| 100 | 27.78 | 55.6 | 2.0 |
| 110 | 30.56 | 61.1 | 2.0 |
| Lane-Keeping | – ALKS must maintain the vehicle within its lane (outer tire edge ≤ lane boundary). – Lateral stability: No erratic movements that could confuse other road users. – Adjacent lane detection: Must monitor vehicles in neighboring lanes for cut-ins or sudden deceleration. | 1 | |
| Transition Demand (Driver Takeover) | – ALKS must issue a transition demand in the following scenarios: – Predictable situations (e.g., roadworks, lane merges). – Unpredictable situations (e.g., debris, emergency vehicles). – Driver inattention (e.g., hands off wheel, eyes closed for >1s). – System failure (e.g., sensor malfunction). – Warning signals: Must use visual + auditory + haptic cues (e.g., steering wheel vibration). – Escalation: If no driver response within 4 seconds, warnings must intensify (e.g., louder alerts, seatbelt tugs). – MRM initiation: If no response within 10 seconds, ALKS must initiate minimum risk maneuver (e.g., controlled stop). | 1 | |
| Emergency Operation | – ALKS must automatically intervene in imminent collision scenarios (e.g., sudden braking by a lead vehicle, cut-ins) if the driver cannot respond. – Actions: – Deceleration: Up to maximum braking capacity. – Lane change: Only if collision can be avoided without crossing lane boundaries. – Termination: Emergency operation must cease when: – Collision risk is eliminated. – Driver regains control. – Post-stop: If the vehicle stops, ALKS must activate hazard lights and remain stationary until the driver intervenes. | 1 | |
| Failure Management | – Single-point failures (e.g., one sensor malfunction) must not compromise ALKS safety. – Serious failures (e.g., ECU malfunction) must trigger immediate transition demand and visual warnings. – Redundancy: Critical systems (e.g., braking, steering) must have backup mechanisms to allow driver override. | 1 |
3. Driver Monitoring System (DMS) Requirements
ALKS-equipped vehicles must include a DMS to ensure driver attentiveness (1):
| Requirement | Details | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| General | – DMS must continuously monitor: – Driver presence (seat occupancy). – Seatbelt use. – Driver’s ability to take control (e.g., hands on wheel, eyes open). | 1 |
| Driver Absence/Inattention | – If the driver is unbelted or leaves the seat for >1s, ALKS must issue a transition demand (auditory warning may substitute for seatbelt alert). – If the driver fails to respond to 2+ attentiveness checks (e.g., no steering input, eye closure) within 30 seconds, DMS must issue a distinct warning (e.g., flashing icon). – If no response within 15 seconds of the warning, ALKS must initiate transition demand. | 1 |
| Attentiveness Checks | – DMS must verify the driver is attentive by detecting at least 2 of the following every 30 seconds: – Hands on steering wheel. – Intentional head/body movement. – Eyes open. – Eye blinking. | 1 |
| Attention Direction | – Driver is considered attentive if: – Gazing at the road ahead. – Checking mirrors. – Head oriented toward driving tasks. | 1 |
4. Autonomous Driving Data Recorder (ADR) Requirements
ALKS must include an ADR to log critical events for post-incident analysis (1):
| Requirement | Details | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | – ADR must store ≥6 months or 2,500 events of data (older data may be overwritten). | 1 |
| Data Retention | – Data must survive crash tests and power loss (e.g., via backup battery). – Must be extractable via OBD-II port or other standardized interface. | 1 |
| Access | – Data must be accessible to authorized performance testers (e.g., under the Automobile Management Act). | 1 |
| Tamper-Proofing | – ADR must include anti-tampering measures (e.g., encryption, physical seals). | 1 |
| Recorded Events | – ADR must log the following with timestamp (±1s accuracy) and software version: – ALKS activation/deactivation. – Transition demands. – Driver responses (or lack thereof). – Emergency operations. – Collisions. – System failures (serious and non-serious). – MRM initiation/termination. | 1 |
B. Self-Certification Requirements for Vehicles and Parts
The draft amendment to the Regulations on the Self-Certification of Motor Vehicles and Parts (2) introduces procedural changes to streamline certification while enhancing transparency:
| Requirement | Details | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Test Planning | – Manufacturers must coordinate testing phases (e.g., pre-test and post-test) to ensure economic and efficient certification processes. | 2 |
| Part Pricing Transparency | – Mandatory disclosure of prices for minimum saleable units of parts (e.g., partial assemblies) sold to consumers by manufacturers. – Applies to parts used in vehicles sold by the manufacturer. – Effective date: 3 months after regulation promulgation. | 2 |
| Labeling Standards | – Self-certification labels must include: – Part specification management number (height ≥3mm; ≥1.5mm for small parts). – Exception: If labeling is impractical (e.g., tiny parts), alternative methods may be used (e.g., packaging labels). – New provision: Labels may be omitted if surface marking is impossible (e.g., due to part shape or material). | 2 |
3. Implementation and Enforcement
A. Applicability
- The revised Rules on the Performance and Standards for Motor Vehicles and their Parts apply to vehicles and parts manufactured, assembled, or imported after the regulation’s effective date (1).
- Effective date: 2 months after promulgation (1).
B. Compliance Authorities
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT): Oversees certification, testing, and enforcement (1,2).
- Performance Test Agencies: Authorized to access ADR data for compliance verification (1).
4. Summary Answer
South Korea’s proposed amendments to vehicle certification and inspection procedures introduce comprehensive safety and performance standards for partial autonomous driving systems (ALKS), aligning with international norms to facilitate domestic and export markets. Key requirements include:
- ALKS Functional Standards: Mandatory lane-keeping, speed control, collision avoidance, and emergency operation capabilities, with strict operating conditions (e.g., divided roads, driver attentiveness) and transition demand protocols (1).
- Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS): Continuous monitoring of driver presence, seatbelt use, and attentiveness, with escalating warnings and minimum risk maneuvers if the driver fails to respond (1).
- Autonomous Driving Data Recorders (ADR): Tamper-proof logging of critical events (e.g., activations, failures, collisions) with 6-month/2,500-event storage capacity and OBD-II accessibility (1).
- Self-Certification Reforms: Streamlined test coordination, part pricing transparency, and labeling flexibility for manufacturers (2).
The amendments take effect 2 months after promulgation, applying to all newly manufactured, assembled, or imported vehicles and parts (1). Compliance is enforced by MOLIT and authorized performance test agencies.
Sources
- ↩ Revision of “Rules on the Performance and Standards for Motor Vehicles and their Parts” https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2022/TBT/KOR/22_3749_01_x.pdf
- ↩ Draft amendment of "Regulations on the Self-certification of Motor Vehicles and Parts" (4 pages, in Korean). ; https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2014/TBT/KOR/14_0912_00_x.pdf