Kosa introduces new product certification-checking system

Korea Iron and Steel Association (Kosa) yesterday introduced a product-quality certification-checking system via QR code to identify imported steel products with fabricated certificates.

The business group said it has adopted the “QReal” system, in which the buyers can check mill test certifications (MTC) using their smartphones by scanning the QR code. Currently, MTCs are checked on copied documents, which run the risk of being easily falsified. Its QReal system connects to steelmakers’ servers and provides MTC information to consumers.

The move is intended to prevent the distribution of poor-quality steel products from overseas, Kosa said. According to its data, 11.21 million tons of foreign steel products were imported in this first half, up 15.5 percent from a year ago.