In a message dated 97-05-22 04:27:16 EDT, you write: << Recently we have had a strange request from a Korean customer. We manufacture AC to DC Power Supplies and a Korean Customer indicated that he needed the following items in order to obtain Korean appoval on the AC to DC Power Supply (he would not tell us what approvals they needed...just something about Government Approval): 1. Schematic Diagram 2. Board Layouts 3. Bill of Materials 4. Two pieces each of every component...not just key components. This, coupled with the fact that one of their designers is making design suggestions, makes us a bit edgy. At this point, it is still obvious that the designer does not understand the operation of our unit, but to tell him that "no, the circuit does not work that way" means that you would have to explain the detailed operations of the unit. Can anyone tell me whether this request is on the up and up or whether we should keep the information close to home. What level of information do most end product manufacturers require of their component vendors? Thanks in advance for your input. Could you please respond to "[email protected]". We will be deciding what details of information to send to the customer tomorrow evening. Brent Taira >>
It's an intrusive and bothersome request. Korea used to have formal government programs encouraging companies to develop replacements for imported equipment. I don't know if that's still in effect, but you could find your "customer" has become your competitor in the future. At a MINIMUM, you should have a signed non-disclosure/non-compete agreement from your customer before sending this kind of material. The problem is that enforcing this agreement could be difficult, as most legal actions would need to be filed in Korea. Preventing imports to the USA would be easier, but wouldn't help against foreign sales. I suggest you consider obtaining standards approval for Korea yourself, rather than letting your customer do it. The following is a excerpt from a message posted by Harald Buchwald, seen here in December '96 - it contained information on obtaining Korean standards approvals. Regards, Dewayne Ferris Cosworth Engineering, Inc. All opinions and information are my own, and not an official statement of my employer.... ------------ <snip> ------------ Subj: re: Korean Regulatory List-Post: [email protected] Date: 96-12-19 08:05:46 EST From: [email protected] (Harald Buchwald) Sender: [email protected] Reply-to: [email protected] (Harald Buchwald) To: [email protected] CC: [email protected] (Andreas Ruhl) Answer to Tony Fredriksson question: 1. Only Korean labs (private or government) are accepted. 2. For ITE equipment is safety and EMI required. Immunity will be required two or three years later. 3. The regulation for ITE equipment are written in Korean only. 4. EMC LAB CONTACT: TUV PRODUCT SERVICE ASIA LTD, Att. Mr. Stefan Reis, 9/F.,Jung Gok Bldg., 44-25 Yoido-Dong, Yungdeungpo-Ku, Seoul, R.O.K., Tel: +82-2-783-9251, Fax: +82-2-783-9253 Have fun Harald Buchwald MIKES PRODUCT SERVICE GmbH, Germany
