The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 14th it will recruit small and midsize companies to participate in the "2026 overseas standards certification acquisition support project (second round)."
The overseas standards certification acquisition support project helps small and midsize companies seeking to enter overseas markets obtain certifications that meet the standards of the target country by supporting part of the expense needed for certification, testing, and consultations.
The eligible certifications total 572, including the European Union's CE marking, the United States' Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory certification, and China's National Medical Products Administration approval.
It will be implemented for the second time this year, following on Jan. In 2026. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to select about 180 corporations and support 50% to 70% of the total expense within a cap of up to 100 million won depending on the previous year's sales. For medical devices, support goes up to 150 million won.
Each corporation may apply for up to four cases per year. However, there is no limit on the number of applications for small-amount certifications with a total annual application amount of less than 35 million won. Recruitment of participating corporations runs from the 15th to on the 14th of next month. Application methods and other details can be found on the Korea SMEs export control response support center website.
Sim Jae-yun, director-general for global growth policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "The overseas standards certification acquisition support project will help ease the expense burden on small and midsize companies and support entry into new markets amid a deteriorating export environment due to recent Middle East wars," adding, "We will expand the government's role so companies can respond to a range of global regulations they face in the process of entering overseas markets, including certification requirements."