Korea Boosts Global Recognition for Carbon Footprint Verification with KOLAS-IAF Agreement

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, announced on November 25 that the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) has signed a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). This agreement covers greenhouse gas verification, including carbon footprint verification, marking a significant step toward global alignment in carbon emissions standards.

Carbon footprint verification requires companies to calculate greenhouse gas emissions across a product’s lifecycle—from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, and disposal. Accredited third-party verification bodies then assess and certify these calculations. With major economies such as the European Union (EU) planning mandatory carbon footprint verification for imports under policies like the EU Battery Regulation and Ecodesign Directive, the MLA ensures Korea’s readiness to meet these emerging requirements.

Since the launch of its carbon footprint verification accreditation system in January 2023, KOLAS has accredited eight organizations, including the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), and Korea Testing Certification (KTC). These organizations now operate with internationally recognized verification capabilities, thanks to the MLA.

The agreement establishes a mutual recognition framework, enabling certificates issued by KOLAS-accredited bodies to be accepted globally. This is expected to reduce time and costs for Korean exporters by eliminating the need for duplicate local verification processes overseas.

KATS President Jin Jong-wook highlighted the significance of this milestone, emphasizing that KOLAS-accredited bodies’ technical expertise and reliability are now globally recognized. “This agreement lays the foundation for carbon footprint verification certificates issued in Korea to gain international acceptance, facilitating seamless access to global markets for Korean companies,” he said.

KATS pledged to continue supporting Korean businesses by fostering an ecosystem where global compliance can be achieved through a single round of testing, certification, and verification, bolstering the nation’s competitiveness in the green economy.