In order to enable consumers to have a clearer understanding of the certification marks indicated on the products they purchase, and to reduce the various certification fees borne by product manufacturers, the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) announced on August 20, 2008 that a new certification system, KC (Korea Certification) certification, would be implemented starting from January 1, 2009. This program was first implemented in the Ministry of Knowledge Economy in July 2009 and was expected to be expanded to all departments by the end of 2010. The implementation plan of the KC mark is as follows: December 2008: Amend the Basic Act on National Standards and its enforcement decree; July 2009: The Ministry of Knowledge Economy begins to implement and adopt the national unified KC mark; January 2009 to December 2010: Amend the laws related to standard certification; January 2011: Apply the KC mark to all certifications.