Measurement Agency Business Registration Procedure — Proficiency Test and On-Site Evaluation Certificate and Registration Documents

Procedure

1. 1. Check the measurement fields and standards

   Decide which items you will measure among air, indoor air quality, odor, water, noise and vibration, and light pollution, and meet the detailed standards for technical capability, facilities and equipment for each item. Some laboratory instruments may be covered by an equipment use contract with a national or public research institute or a university-affiliated research institute.

2. 2. Apply for the proficiency test and on-site evaluation

   Apply to the National Institute of Environmental Research for a proficiency test and on-site evaluation, attaching the status of facilities and equipment for each item and documents on the organization chart and division of duties. If found unsuitable, you can reapply after 3 months from the notice date.

3. 3. Apply for registration

   Submit the measurement agency business registration application with the technical capability status and proof, the facility and equipment status and proof, and the certificate of suitability to the city or province (the city hall for a large city).

4. 4. On-site check and issuance of the certificate

   The authority checks the technical capability, facilities and equipment, conducts an on-site check, issues a registration certificate within 10 days from the application date, and publishes the trade name, representative, location and measurement items.

5. 5. Change registration and obligations during operation

   If the representative or trade name, business or laboratory location, measurement items, technical capability, or laboratory facilities and equipment change, apply for change registration within 30 days (issued within 5 days). When you sign a measurement contract, notify it within 20 days, record measurement results in the measurement record book and keep them for 3 years, and do not subcontract.

Required documents

• Proficiency test and on-site evaluation application (facility and equipment status by item, organization chart and division of duties)
• Proficiency test and on-site evaluation certificate of suitability
• Measurement agency business registration application
• Technical capability status and proof (qualifications, experience, employment)
• Facility and equipment status and proof (purchase or use contract documents, etc.)
• Letter of authorization (when submitted by an agent)

Fees

Generally from hundreds of thousands to several million won in the industry · We quote after consultation depending on the number of measurement items and whether it is a new registration or an added item. Government costs such as the proficiency test are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Environmental Testing and Inspection Act, Article 16
• Environmental Testing and Inspection Act, Article 17
• Environmental Testing and Inspection Act, Article 18
• Enforcement Decree of the Environmental Testing and Inspection Act, Article 13
• Enforcement Rule of the Environmental Testing and Inspection Act, Article 14
• Enforcement Rule of the Environmental Testing and Inspection Act, Article 15
• Enforcement Rule of the Environmental Testing and Inspection Act, Article 17

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-05

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• When you sign a measurement contract, you must notify the authority within 20 days.
• Producing false measurement results intentionally or through gross negligence leads to mandatory cancellation of registration.

Frequently asked questions