What 한국의류시험연구원 does

한국의류시험연구원 (KATRI) is South Korea's premier comprehensive testing and certification institute specializing in textile, fashion, consumer products, automotive materials, chemicals, and environmental testing, founded in 1965 as the Daehan Jersey Testing Institute and operating under its current name since May 1994. KATRI holds KOLAS accreditation under ILAC international mutual recognition agreements (since September 1994) and is designated as a testing institution by 20+ Korean government agencies, including MFDS, Ministry of Environment, Korea Fire Service, and the Public Procurement Service. The institute operates 7 domestic offices (Seoul headquarters, two Anyang branches, Gangnam, Busan, Daegu, Jeonju) plus wholly-owned overseas corporations in China (Shanghai, Dalian) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi), and a Myanmar subsidiary.

The institute's core technology platform spans advanced analytical equipment including Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) — the first in Korea introduced in 2017 for biomass/biocarbon content analysis under ASTM D6866 — along with universal testing machines, Martindale abrasion testers, colorfastness testers, GC/MS, LC/MS/MS, and ICP instrumentation. Testing services cover more than 5,800 international and domestic standards (KS, ISO, AATCC, ASTM, JIS, GB, CPSIA), with the institute additionally serving as a Co-operating Organization for Standards Development (COSD) managing 661 designated standards as of February 2023. KATRI issues multiple certification marks including KC Safety Certification, KS Mark, Q Mark, GD Mark (GOLD-DOWN), KATRI Label, EQ Mark (Eco-Quality), and KFAC (Korea Firefighting Apparatus Certification, designated October 2024), with composite materials evaluation certified by AIRBUS.

KATRI monetizes through per-test and per-certificate fees structured by test type, sample quantity, and processing time tier (same-day, 2-day, 3-day, standard 5-day, plus express surcharges). Government procurement inspection follows a fixed-fee structure (180,000 KRW base + 310,000 KRW inspection work fee + travel + 20%-discounted test fees). Customer segments span textile/fashion manufacturers, automotive OEM/parts suppliers (including Hyundai Motor Company), consumer products/chemical manufacturers, government procurement suppliers, and export-oriented manufacturers requiring certification for US (CPSIA), EU (UL), Japan (QTEC), and China (GB) markets. Enterprise reference customers include Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics (RoHS/Eco-Lab partners since 2006) and international brands Hugo Boss, Triumph, J.Crew, JCPenney, Men's Wearhouse, and Life is Good. Distribution combines direct field sales through the office network, an online customer service portal for SMBs and consumers, courier sample logistics, and overseas inspection centers with 30-52 staff each in China and Vietnam.

Name

한국의류시험연구원

Legal name

한국의류시험研究院 (KATRI)

Website

https://katri.re.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KATRI is South Korea's premier KOLAS-accredited testing and certification institute, specializing in textile, fashion, automotive, and consumer product testing across 5,800+ standards, serving manufacturers, exporters, and government agencies through 7 domestic offices and overseas operations in China and Vietnam.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Testing and Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Textile testing services
• Product certification services
• Quality assurance testing
• Consumer product safety
• Chemical compliance testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul (Dongdaemun-gu)

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Testing and Inspection Fees: KATRI charges fees for a wide range of testing and inspection services across textile, fashion, automotive, consumer products, cosmetics, environmental, and chemical product categories. Fees are structured by test type, sample quantity, and turnaround time (same-day, 2-day, 3-day, standard 5-day). Additional fees apply for express service. The institute also handles government procurement inspection (조달물자 전문기관검사) where manufacturers pay inspection fees including a base fee (180,000 KRW), inspection work fee (310,000 KRW), plus test fees at 20% discount from standard rates.
2. Product Certification Services: Revenue from issuing product certifications including KC Safety Certification, KC Self-Compliance Confirmation, KS Mark, Q Mark, GD Mark, KATRI Certification Mark, EQ Mark, and KFAC (Firefighting Equipment Certification). Certification fees include application fees, review fees, factory inspection fees, and ongoing certification fees based on annual factory revenue.
3. International Buyer Testing Services: Testing services for international buyers including UL testing, CPSIA testing for US market, Japan QTEC testing, China GB testing, and general international buyer testing. Revenue from foreign manufacturers and exporters seeking product quality certification for overseas markets.
4. Safety Compliance Confirmation for Household Chemical Products: Testing and confirmation services for safety compliance of household chemical products under the Chemical Products Safety Act, with fees structured per product category and additional charges for allergy-related substances and microplastics testing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KATRI provides comprehensive testing, inspection, and certification services for textile, fashion, automotive interior/exterior materials, consumer products, cosmetics, quasi-drugs (masks), household chemical products, environmental measurement equipment, and composite materials. The institute operates as Korea's premier KOLAS-accredited testing institution, conducting evaluations across more than 5,800 international and domestic standards (KS, ISO, AATCC, ASTM, JIS) and issuing internationally recognized test reports under ILAC mutual recognition agreements. The organization also issues multiple product certification marks including KC Safety Certification, KS Mark, Q Mark, GD Mark, KATRI Label, EQ Mark (Eco-Quality), and KFAC Firefighting Equipment Certification, while serving as a designated testing institution for 20+ Korean government agencies and supporting export market access through overseas inspection centers in China and Vietnam.

Product overview

KATRI (한국의류시험연구원) is a comprehensive testing and certification institute offering a broad portfolio of services centered around textile and fashion testing. The core offerings include textile/fashion testing, parts and materials testing, daily products testing, overseas buyer testing, composite materials evaluation, PPE testing, and biomass/biodegradability testing. The company provides multiple certification marks including KC Safety Certification, KS Mark, Q Mark, GD Mark, KATRI Label, EQ Mark (Eco-Quality), and KFAC Firefighting Equipment Certification. Testing services extend to cosmetics, quasi-drugs (masks), and environmental measurement equipment. KATRI operates as an integrated platform with multiple testing divisions, certification bodies, and regional offices across Korea and overseas operations in China and Vietnam.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KATRI Label: Product certification label for textile, laundry, and cleaning products guaranteeing specific quality performance
• KATRI인증마크
• GD마크 (GOLD-DOWN)
• EQ마크 (Eco-Quality)
• Q마크
• KFAC (Korea Fire-fighting Apparatus Certification)
• KC 마크
• KS마크

Products and services

• Textile and Fashion Testing (섬유·패션시험)

Quantifiable outcome

• KATRI operates as a KOLAS-accredited institution with ILAC international mutual recognition, covering more than 5,800 international and domestic standards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• UL (USA)majorTechnology or IntegrationMOU signed in January 2015 for mutual cooperation in testing and certification. KATRI supports Korean exporters to the US market through close cooperation with UL.
• Japan QTEC (Japan Textile Product Quality and Technology Center)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Korea-Japan Quality Evaluation Center (JKQTEC) established in KATRI in 1989. Conducts joint testing and appearance inspection for textile products exported to Japan. QTEC is one of Japan's three major accredited testing institutions in the textile sector.
• Japan QTEC (Japan Textile Product Quality and Technology Center)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Korea-Japan Quality Evaluation Center (JKQTEC) established within KATRI since 1989 conducts joint testing and inspection of textile products for Japanese export. Products covered include various clothing items and textile accessories (buttons, zippers, bands, accessories).
• China GTTC (Guang Inspection Testing and Certification Group)majorTechnology or IntegrationBusiness cooperation agreement for textile testing services. GTTC is one of KATRI's key Chinese partner testing institutions for GB testing and certification.
• China BWJS (Beijing Wool, Jute & Silk Fabrics Quality Supervision Laboratory)majorTechnology or IntegrationBusiness agreement for GB testing and certification services. BWJS issues GB test reports for textile products exported to China.
• China Shanghai Garment Quality Supervision and Testing CentermajorTechnology or IntegrationBusiness cooperation signed in April 2006 for joint testing services. Also involved in establishing joint testing laboratory in Shanghai in July 2008.
• Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMOU signed in October 2013 for cooperation in garment testing and industry development.
• KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in January 2018 for cooperation between KOTRA and private testing certification institutions to support Korean exporters.
• Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATRI Standards Body)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in April 2017 for cooperation between Agency for Technology and Standards and related institutions in standards development.
• National Technical Standards Agency (국가기술표준원)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKATRI serves as COSD (Co-operating Organization for Standards Development) designated by the National Technical Standards Agency for textile and clothing size standards development. Also signed MOU in February 2016 with product safety testing certification institutions.
• National Fire Agency (국립소방청)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKATRI is designated as a KFAC (Korea Fire-fighting Apparatus Certification) certification body (Designation No. 2024-2, dated October 22, 2024) for firefighting equipment including fire protective clothing, fire gloves, and fire hoods.
• Korea Customs Service (관세청)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in August 2016 with Central Customs Analysis Office for cooperation in customs inspection.
• Korea Environment Corporation (K-ECO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in December 2009 with Korea Environmental Industry Technology Institute (KEITI) for cooperation. Additional MOU signed in March 2016.
• DEFTR (Korea Defense Technology and Quality Assurance Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in February 2014 for cooperation in defense technology and quality assurance.
• Korea Textile Industry FederationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in February 2021 for cooperation in textile industry development and testing services.
• Korea Fashion Industry Promotion AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in June 2021 for cooperation in fashion industry development.
• Sangsang Marketplace (상인공영홈쇼핑)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMOU signed in October 2016 for cooperation in product testing and quality assurance for broadcast shopping products.
• Korea Consumer AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in April 2012 with Consumer Citizenship Alliance for cooperation in consumer protection.
• Green Consumer CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in April 2012 for cooperation in green consumer advocacy.
• National Museum of KoreaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in January 2016 for cooperation in conservation and preservation services.
• National Folk Museum of KoreaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in June 2020 for cooperation in preservation and research.
• National Gyeongju MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in June 2021 for cooperation in museum preservation and textile analysis.
• Korea Forest Service (산림청)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKATRI is designated as a wood product quality inspection institution by the National Forestry Institute (국립산림과학원) for wood product standards and quality inspection services.
• Public Procurement Service (조달청)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated as a procurement inspection institution (조달전문검사기관) by the Public Procurement Service (December 2020, re-designated). Provides pre-delivery inspection services for government procurement products.
• Samsung ElectronicsmajorTechnology or IntegrationDesignated as RoHS testing institution and Eco-Lab certification partner. Provided harmful substance evaluation testing. Partner since 2006.
• LG ElectronicsmajorTechnology or IntegrationDesignated as RoHS testing institution and Eco-Lab certification partner. Partner since 2006.
• Hyundai Motor CompanymajorTechnology or IntegrationContract research (2011-2012) for vehicle textile material organization structure and characteristic analysis technology development. KATRI provides automotive interior material testing services.
• Army Logistics Command (육군군수사령부)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in May 2021 for cooperation in military textile and equipment testing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: France-based TIC conglomerate with consumer products, textile, and government services testing. Competes for textile and fashion testing mandates globally and provides comparable KOLAS-equivalent international accreditation; broader portfolio includes marine, oil & gas, and construction.
• SGS: Global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) giant headquartered in Switzerland. SGS operates textile, consumer product, and environmental testing labs worldwide and is a direct competitor to KATRI for international buyer testing, though with a much broader industry footprint beyond textiles.
• Eurofins Scientific: Luxembourg-headquartered testing services group with focus on food, environmental, pharmaceutical, and consumer product testing. Increasingly competing in textile chemistry and harmful substance testing; represents the commoditization/risk of global TIC consolidation in adjacent categories.
• Intertek: UK-based global TIC company offering textile, softlines, and consumer product testing across major manufacturing geographies. Competes with KATRI in Korea for buyer-required testing (e.g., for Hugo Boss, J.Crew-type clients) but serves a far broader range of industries.

Direct peers

• Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL): Major Korean government-affiliated testing institute providing electrical, electronic, and consumer product testing. Closest domestic Korean peer with similar KOLAS accreditation, government designations, and testing breadth; directly competes for KC certification and electronics testing mandates.
• UL (Underwriters Laboratories): US-based safety certification company with major Korean manufacturer relationships (Samsung, LG). Has MOU partnership with KATRI since 2015; competes in electrical/electronic and consumer product safety certification, with KATRI handling Korean-side testing on UL-bound programs.
• TUV Rheinland: German TIC company with extensive consumer product, electronics, and softlines testing. Signed MOU with KATRI in February 2022 for cooperation; competes with KATRI in Korean and Asian markets for international buyer testing.
• Korea Testing Certification (KTC): Korean testing and certification body with focus on safety, EMC, and consumer product testing. Directly competes with KATRI for KC safety certification work and similar government-designated testing scope; another key domestic Korean TIC peer.
• TUV SUD: German-based TIC firm with strong textile, consumer product, and PPE testing capabilities. Has a long-standing MOU with KATRI (signed 2011) and operates Korean operations; directly comparable in softlines, automotive materials, and chemical testing scope.
• QTEC (Japan Textile Product Quality and Technology Center): Japan's leading textile testing institute and one of the three major accredited textile testing bodies in Japan. Established the Korea-Japan Quality Testing Center (JKQTEC) jointly with KATRI in 1989; directly comparable in textile testing methodology, scope, and government accreditation role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf1WfJ2JaPujP-X-Rxjc7-w
• Instagraminstagram.com/katri_news
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/katri

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 한국의류시험연구원