Revisions to Standards for Hydrogen Equipment and Fuel Cells Announced by KGS
2. October 2024The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) has recently approved and announced revisions to the Korean Gas Safety (KGS) Codes. The amendments pertain to the manufacturing standards for hydrogen extraction equipment and stationary fuel cells, which require a KGS factory registration. Notably, new seismic design standards have been introduced for above-ground hydrogen facilities and buried hydrogen pipelines.
The specific KGS Code standards affected by these revisions include AH171 (Hydrogen Extraction Equipment Manufacturing Standards), AH271 (Water Electrolysis Equipment Manufacturing Standards), AH371 (Stationary Fuel Cell Manufacturing Standards), AH372 (Mobile Fuel Cell Manufacturing Standards for Forklifts), and AH373 (Mobile Fuel Cell Manufacturing Standards for Drones).
Additionally, revisions have been made to standards concerning hydrogen facilities, including FU671 (Hydrogen Fuel Utilization Facility Standards), GC202 (Cathodic Protection Standards for Gas Facilities), GC203 (Seismic Design Standards for Gas Facilities and Above-Ground Gas Pipelines), GC204 (Seismic Design Standards for Buried Gas Pipelines), and GC205 (Welding and Non-Destructive Testing Standards for Gas Facilities). These amendments are predominantly focused on hydrogen-related facilities.
Key changes introduced by these revisions include the unification of standards for hydrogen product charging structures, with a clear distinction made between cases where protective housings can be easily detached and those where they cannot. The scope of application for solid oxide fuel cells has also been expanded to include cascade systems. Furthermore, seismic performance testing standards for mobile fuel cells used in forklifts and drones have been revised in accordance with U.S. military standards.
Other notable changes include the refinement of painting standards for hydrogen pipelines and the removal of the ban on installing ventilation fans in hydrogen fuel cell rooms. New standards have also been established for the cathodic protection of hydrogen facilities, as well as for the seismic design of both above-ground and buried hydrogen pipelines.
In addition to these revisions, the MOTIE has approved updates to standards related to city gas utilization facilities, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) charging, collective supply, and storage facilities. These changes underscore ongoing efforts to enhance safety and ensure consistent standards across the industry.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@korea-certification.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.
