SEOUL -- NSF, a leading global organization dedicated to protecting human health, has officially launched the K-NSF Food Equipment Safety Management Certification Program, a new offering to the Korean market for food equipment manufacturers. The new service is delivered in collaboration with the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and was initiated via the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in May 2024.

“NSF is committed to supporting the Korean market through our ‘glocal’ strategy. We are pleased to launch the K‑NSF Certification Service, which we believe will catalyze the global competitiveness of Korea’s food equipment industry,” said Sanghyo Lee, Manager of Food Equipment, NSF APAC. “K-NSF is backed by our synergistic MOU with MFDS, and together we expect Korean manufacturers to adopt K‑NSF as a strategic tool to elevate their global market position.”

Following the execution of the MOU, NSF supported the development of certification standards designed to enhance food safety in Korean food equipment. The service marks an important milestone for the industry, as it empowers manufacturers to strengthen compliance, elevate product safety and expand to both domestic and global markets.

Certification to K‑NSF verifies that the food equipment meets or exceeds hygienic safety requirements. Eligible food equipment includes tools, machinery and devices, such as cooking robots equipped with autonomous food‑preparation capabilities and embedded software. The equipment can be used individually or in combination for manufacturing, processing or cooking food.

K-NSF certification involves:

1. Basic Evaluation: Assesses material specifications for the surfaces of a device that may come into contact with food or be exposed to cross-contamination.

2. In-depth Evaluation: A comprehensive evaluation of the food safety of a device, encompassing its materials, prevention of microbial contamination, design, construction, coating, cleaning, abrasion resistance, impact strength, heat resistance and adhesion.

A key advantage of the K‑NSF certification is its formal equivalency with NSF’s globally recognized food equipment certification, offering meaningful benefits that streamline market access:

1. K NSF certification holders receive equivalency benefits when applying for NSF food equipment certification. Overlapping evaluation items can be waived, enabling manufacturers to leverage the domestic K NSF certification as a strategic stepping stone toward international certification, promoting selling and compliance in markets such as the US.

2. NSF food equipment certification holders can bypass most K NSF in-depth evaluations. Manufacturers who already have the US-based NSF food equipment certification may be exempt from most in-depth K NSF evaluations, significantly reducing both processing time and certification cost.

3. The K-NSF mark is recognized in both domestic and export markets. As one of the most trusted global organizations, the K‑NSF mark will be easily recognized, including in key export destinations such as North America.

K‑NSF certified products will be listed on the official NSF product listings website, used globally by consumers, distributors and manufacturers. This enhances visibility, strengthens brand recognition and increases export opportunities.