DEKRA Expands Automotive Testing, Certification Services in Asia

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As of August 31, 2020, the global expert organization DEKRA and Movon Corporation signed an agreement to purchase the shares of the recently carved-out South Korean electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and radiofrequency (RF) testing laboratories. Movon enjoys many years of experience in the EMC and RF testing of automotive electronics and, as the strategic player in this field, holds a strong market position in South Korea and an excellent global recognition from leading automotive OEMs. This acquisition sees DEKRA further expand its expertise in the booming market for EMC and RF testing, a key technology for connected, automated and electric driving. As cars today become increasingly connected, automated and electrified, electronic systems now account for almost 50% of their added value. And this figure is set to rise over the coming years. The current global EMC and RF testing market volume is estimated to be more than two billion Euro.

"The acquisition of the Movon laboratories is an important strategic step in further expanding our global automotive testing network" says CEO Stefan Kölbl, Chairman of the Management Board DEKRA e.V. and DEKRA SE. "We expect strong growth in the coming years in the Asian market and in EMC and RF testing, with annual growth rates in the upper single-digit range." This step is also designed to support DEKRA's increasingly comprehensive range of laboratory accreditations from car manufacturers (OEMs) in Mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Europe and the US in the near future.

Movon is the only laboratory accredited for EMC testing in South Korea by domestic and foreign vehicle OEMs, which includes companies such as Volkswagen, GM, Ford, FCA, Jaguar Landrover, MAZDA and Hyundai. The customer base includes other renowned car manufacturers as well as many well-known Korean names from the supplier sector who manufacture vital electronic components.

"In our state of the art worldwide testing facilities we are able to test not only consumer electronics and IoT devices but also everything from automotive electronics through e-bikes to complete electrical vehicles" says the responsible deal maker Ivo Rauh, CTO and Member of the Management Board DEKRA SE, in charge of Services, Innovation and IT.

In addition to EMC and RF testing, international type approvals for mobile & wireless equipment for more than 190 countries and certifications for electrical products ("KC" – Korean Certification) are also part of the service portfolio of the newly acquired company.

For all electric and electronic component, devices, systems and even whole vehicles and their components, regulations require that all products shall meet certain degree of electromagnetic compatibility compliance in order to ensure proper operation in their intended environment and to grant user safety. This prevents malfunctions, unsafe operation and accidents caused by electromagnetic effects on the on-board electronics (all driver assistance systems such as Brake or Distance Assist, ABS, airbags, etc.). "In the worst-case scenario, inadequate electromagnetic compatibility could cause safety-relevant electronic components to malfunction, potentially resulting in serious accidents," says Kölbl. "The more vehicles become automated and connected in the future, the more important it is to conduct EMC and RF testing."

DEKRA is already involved in product safety testing in Korea at its location in Seoul, especially in the area of explosion safety protection testing and certification of products used in hazardous locations.