KSM

On June 26, the Korea Electrical Manufacturers Association (KEMA) announced the launch of a new certification system, aiming strengthened quality management in the nuclear power industry. The association held its first certificate award ceremony at The Electrical Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul, celebrating the implementation of the Nuclear Quality Assurance Program (QAP).

The QAP certification is a newly introduced framework designed to enhance nuclear quality assurance coverage beyond the scope of the existing KEPIC (Korea Electric Power Industry Code) system. While the previous certification primarily focused on safety-grade components, the new system expands coverage to include non-safety-grade components and services, as well as activities related to research and development.

The program is divided into two distinct levels, depending on the scope of application. One level applies the full scope of KEPIC-QAP requirements to both safety-grade and non-safety-grade products and services, while the other level allows for more flexible application of the requirements when dealing solely with non-safety-grade areas.

To be certified, companies are required to develop quality assurance plans and detailed procedural documents relevant to the components and services they provide, along with establishing and implementing training programs for their personnel.

Following the introduction of the new system, Korea Seal Master Co., Ltd., a key supplier of mechanical seals to domestic nuclear power plants, became the first company to undergo the audit process and receive official certification after successfully passing review by the KEPIC Technical and Quality Committee.

Kim Yoon-ho, CEO of Korea Seal Master, stated, “We pursued this certification to further strengthen the quality competitiveness of our products. Through QAP certification, we aim not only to enhance our standing within the domestic market but also to lay the groundwork for expanding into the global nuclear mechanical seal market.”

Noh Yong-ho, Executive Vice President of KEMA, commented, “With the growing interest in next-generation nuclear technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), we introduced this certification system to help raise overall quality and reliability across the sector. We will continue building a support system to help more companies successfully obtain certification.”