The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced on July 13 that it hosted a joint briefing on overseas certification support initiatives at KOTRA in Seoul, uniting efforts from eight government ministries. This initiative aims to maximize information accessibility and usability for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in export activities.

The briefing was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of various overseas certification support projects from different ministries, while also establishing a proactive response framework for South Korean companies facing global certification barriers. The agenda included integrated introductions to overseas certification and export support projects, a demonstration of an AI-supported certification consulting chatbot, and guidance on obtaining domestic certifications for major overseas tests and certifications, attracting significant engagement from participating businesses.

During the first session, core overseas certification programs and export marketing support initiatives from respective ministries were introduced. Notably, the Ministry of Agriculture announced its Global Growth Package for agricultural and food products, while the Ministry of Environment presented its green management consulting services, and the Ministry of Health discussed international certification for medical devices. This tailored approach allowed companies to easily navigate available support projects and resolve queries related to overseas certification in a unified forum.

The second session showcased the recently launched AI Overseas Certification Information Service, initiated in March. Funded through the 'Overseas Certification and Technical Regulations Information Portal' (www.knowtbt.kr), this AI service integrates and learns from overseas certification information across 26 relevant agencies. It promises to alleviate information shortages faced by companies by providing complex certification and regulatory counseling along with in-depth reports and real-time updates on certification news.

In the concluding session, participants were briefed on domestic services offered by testing and certification institutions aimed at reducing the financial and temporal burdens faced by local companies in obtaining overseas certifications. Each institution detailed the specific types of overseas certification test results and certifications they could issue, thereby facilitating a structured understanding of available resources.

Furthermore, the NIST’s Overseas Certification Support Team plans to organize biannual joint briefings on overseas certification support projects and key policies, while also collaborating with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's Export Plus Support Team to conduct regionally specialized briefings across major local areas. This initiative signals an ongoing commitment to ensuring that private sector actors are adequately supported in navigating the complexities of overseas certification.