How to Apply for Liquor Quality Certification — Certification Standards for 8 Liquor Types Including Makgeolli and Traditional Liquor, Required Documents, 45-Day Processing

Procedure

1. 1. Decide the product and its liquor type

   A separate application is filed for each liquor (each manufacturing method), stating the liquor type, product name, and the manufacturing method code and approval date approved by the head of the competent tax office under the Liquor Tax Act. Which liquor type's standards apply is determined in line with the approved manufacturing method. Each type has its own manufacturing method standards; for takju, for example, grains must make up at least 80% of the combined weight of starch ingredients and raw sugars.

2. 2. Match production records to the standards

   The certification standards consist of manufacturing method standards, manufacturing site standards covering facilities and quality control, physicochemical quality standards and sensory evaluation standards. Each type has prohibited practices, such as takju not using brewing base liquid brought in from another manufacturing site or seasonings, so check before applying that raw material receipt and use records, manufacturing processes and quality control records match the standards.

3. 3. Submit the application and attachments

   Attach a product description, a description of manufacturing facilities and equipment, a copy of the analysis report for the product, copies of the manufacturing method application and process chart, and the main and auxiliary labels to the quality certification application, and submit it to the quality certification body. The analysis report must have been issued within 6 months before the application date, and for coated bottles, paper packs or ceramic containers, photos are attached instead of labels. Fees are set according to the calculation standards in Appendix 3 of the Enforcement Rule (overhead costs, auditor travel expenses, product testing costs and sample transport costs).

4. 4. Document check, site review and product review

   The certification body notifies the review schedule, and the auditor checks the documents and, if supplementation is needed, sets a period for it. The auditor then visits the manufacturing site to review the manufacturing method and site standards, and takes samples (6 bottles for products of 500㎖ or more) for physicochemical analysis and sensory evaluation by a trained panel of 10 or more. The auditor has the applicant or an agent attend each stage.

5. 5. Certificate issuance and follow-up management

   If the standards are met, a quality certificate and certification number are issued; if not, the applicant is notified of the specific reasons. An extension must be requested at least 2 months before the 3-year validity ends, and certification-related documents must be kept for 3 years. The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service conducts market product inspections at least once a year under the Follow-up Management Guidelines for Liquor Quality Certification (amended March 24, 2026), and on-site inspections and sample collection when needed.

Required documents

• Quality certification application (Enforcement Rule of the Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Form No. 7)
• Product description
• Description of manufacturing facilities and equipment
• Copy of the analysis report for the product (issued within 6 months before the application date)
• Copies of the manufacturing method application and process chart
• Main and auxiliary labels of the product (photos for coated bottles, paper packs or ceramic containers)
• Original quality certificate (for validity extension applications)
• Letter of authorization (when filed by an agent)

Fees

Generally in the range of several hundred thousand won to around 1,000,000 won across the industry. We provide a quote after consultation, depending on the number of products, the length of the product and facility descriptions, and whether we attend the site review. Certification body fees and analysis costs are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Article 22
• Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Articles 25 and 26
• Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Articles 28, 29 and 30
• Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Articles 36 and 38
• Enforcement Decree of the Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Articles 7, 8 and 8-2
• Enforcement Rule of the Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Articles 12 and 12-2 and Form No. 7
• Enforcement Rule of the Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Articles 16 and 17 and Appendix 3
• Enforcement Rule of the Traditional Liquor Industry Promotion Act, Article 19
• Liquor Quality Certification Standards (National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service public notice)
• Detailed Guidelines for Liquor Quality Certification Review (National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service public notice)
• Follow-up Management Guidelines for Liquor Quality Certification (National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service public notice)

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-12

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

• Anyone who takes over a certified business through transfer, inheritance or merger must file a succession report with the Director of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service within 30 days, and failing to do so is subject to an administrative fine of up to 5,000,000 won.
• Labeling or advertising differently from the certified content, or mixing uncertified liquor into certified liquor for sale, can lead to corrective orders, label change or use suspension orders, revocation of certification or criminal penalties, so keep labels and advertising consistent with the certified content.

Frequently asked questions