1. Reasons for Amendment

As the Intelligent Robots Development and Distribution Promotion Act, which stipulates the operation safety certification of outdoor mobile robots, has been revised (Act No. 19412; partially amended on May 16, 2023 and enforced on November 17, 2023), this amendment aims to specify the details such as the designation criteria, designation procedure, and designation cancellation requirements of outdoor mobile robot safety certification institutions, the application procedure and processing period of outdoor mobile robot safety certification, change certification, cancellation of safety certification, and criteria for charging fees.

2. Major Provisions

A. Designation criteria for safety certification institutions (Article 7-2)

As the revised Act prescribes that the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may designate outdoor mobile robot certification institutions; stipulate that institutions that meet the conditions such as the establishment of a safety certification work performance system, possession of major test facilities, and number of safety certification personnel can be designated as outdoor mobile robot safety certification institutions (hereinafter referred to as “certification institution”).

B. Certification institution designation procedures (Article 7-3)

Define documents to be submitted when an institution, etc., apply for a certification institution, require the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to announce the name, address, and details of business performance of a certification institution on its website of when it designates a certification institution, and stipulate that an application for changes in designation be made if there is any change in the details of the designation of a certification institution.

C. Preparation, etc., of records by certification institutions (Article 7-4)

Regulate certification institutions to keep relevant records from the time of application for safety certification for outdoor mobile robots to the time of issuance.

D. Safety certification application, etc. (Article 7-5)

Stipulate that safety certification for outdoor mobile robots be applied for by model and that applicants submit a copy of the business registration certificate, a description of the structure and operation of the outdoor mobile robot, design drawings, parts specifications, an operation plan of the outdoor mobile robot, samples, etc.

E. Safety certification application processing period (Article 7-6)

Stipulate that certification institutions notify the applicant of safety certification within 60 days of receiving the safety certification application.

F. Safety certification standard (Article 7-7)

Stipulate that the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy be able to determine and notify details of safety certification standards for outdoor mobile robots.

G. Safety certification inspection, etc. (Article 7-8)

Prescribe that in cases where an outdoor mobile robot safety certification examination result meets the safety certification standards, the certification institute shall issue a safety certificate to the applicant and record the fact in the safety certificate issuance ledger. 

H. Change certification (Article 7-9)

Stipulate an obligation for a person who intends to change his/her safety certification to submit documents proving the fact of changes in the change certification application form to a certification institute before the outdoor mobile robot is shipped out or customs clearance. 

I. Safety certification labeling, etc. (Article 7-10)

Stipulate the method for labeling safety certification as in Attached Table 1, and for the case of operating an outdoor mobile robot that has received safety certification on the sidewalk, etc., regulate the safety certification label to be attached to the outdoor mobile robot.

J. Confirmations of temporary operation of outdoor mobile robots (Article 7-11)

When it is necessary for the safety certification examination of outdoor mobile robots, confirm whether it is suitable for temporary operation on sidewalks, etc., and in cases of limiting the attendance of certification examiners, accompanying applicants, adequacy of document review, and the period and place of temporary operation, stipulate that temporary operation confirmation be confirmed.

K. Revocation of certification institution designation (Article 7-12)

For the case where a certification institute is designated as a certification body by fraudulent or other unlawful means, define the detailed standards for administrative dispositions as shown in Table 2, such as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy suspending all or part of the certification institution's business or revoking the designation of the certification institution.

L. Cancellation of safety certification (Article 17-3)

Define the detailed standards for administrative dispositions as shown in Table 3, such as the cancellation of safety certification, prohibition of use of safety certification, and improvement order, stipulated in Article 40-3 of the revised Act.

M. Fees (Article 7-14)

Stipulate that a person who intends to apply for safety certification for outdoor mobile robots be charged a fee according to the criteria for charging fees in Attached Table 4 and that the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may support part of it.