Certification Standards for Pedal Misapplication Prevention Devices Take Effect on August 27

[Financial News] A policy foundation has been established to allow pedal misapplication prevention devices to be installed in vehicles already on the road, in an effort to reduce traffic accidents caused by drivers stepping on the wrong pedal. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said on the 26th that it will begin enforcing certification standards for tuning parts related to pedal misapplication prevention devices from the 27th.
A pedal misapplication prevention device is an advanced safety system that suppresses sudden acceleration when a driver mistakenly presses the accelerator instead of the brake.
Until now, installing the device in vehicles already in operation required separate tuning approval, and because there were no dedicated certification standards, installations were limited through regulatory sandbox pilot exemptions. To expand adoption and ensure safety, MOLIT established the standards by reflecting input from industry and experts.
Under the new standards, the device must be capable of reducing vehicle speed by at least 30% when it detects pedal misapplication while the vehicle is stopped or traveling at 30 km/h or less. It must also be equipped with visual and audible warning functions so drivers can immediately recognize the mistake.
Misapplication is defined as a sudden increase in accelerator pedal displacement to at least 90% of the maximum within 0.25 seconds, and a test method has also been prepared to verify this.
Manufacturers can obtain certification after testing by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS), and consumers can buy certified products and have them installed by repair shops. Installing an uncertified product is considered illegal tuning.
MOLIT expects the new certification standards to help expand the use of these devices in existing vehicles, as installation of pedal misapplication prevention devices that align with international standards will become mandatory for new cars from 2029.
Park Yong-seon, director of the Automobile Policy Division at MOLIT, said, "By establishing certification standards for tuning parts, we expect the supply of pedal misapplication prevention devices with verified safety and reliability to expand, helping prevent major accidents caused by driver error and easing public anxiety."

[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter