HANWHA Q CELLS 판교 연구실 3곳, 국가 공인 '안전관리 우수연구실'로 인정받다

Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS Division (Hanwha Q CELLS) announced on October 26, 2026, that three laboratories within its Pangyo Center, the company's Renewable Energy Research Center, have newly obtained 'Excellent Safety Management Laboratory' certification ¹². This certification is a national official system granted by the Ministry of Science and ICT after comprehensively reviewing safety management systems, activity levels, and researchers' safety awareness ¹². In particular, considering that Hanwha Q CELLS' Pangyo Center serves as a key hub for next-generation solar cell technology, this certification is regarded as a significant outcome demonstrating the simultaneous achievement of advanced technological research and the establishment of a safe research environment.

Core of Perovskite Tandem Research: The Three Laboratories at Pangyo Center

The three laboratories at Hanwha Q CELLS' Pangyo Center that newly obtained certification are at the forefront of perovskite tandem research. These laboratories consist of a Process Development Lab, a Material Development Lab, and an Analysis Lab, and are conducting core research for the development of original technology and mass production of 'perovskite tandem,' a next-generation high-efficiency solar cell ².

Solar cell technology is a highly technology-intensive field requiring subtle process differences and precise material analysis. With this certification, Hanwha Q CELLS has officially been recognized for safely managing such advanced research environments. Based on this, Hanwha Q CELLS aims to further strengthen its R&D capabilities for the mass production of tandem solar cells and swiftly secure next-generation technological competitiveness ¹². This serves as a case proving that safe research infrastructure serves as the foundation for developing high-value-added technologies.

Significance and Evaluation Criteria of the 'Excellent Safety Management Laboratory Certification System'

The 'Excellent Safety Management Laboratory Certification System' is a system implemented by the Ministry of Science and ICT since 2016, operated with the purpose of establishing and spreading a culture of autonomous safety management ³⁴. This system strictly evaluates laboratories by reviewing a total of 29 items across three areas: laboratory safety environment systems, actual activity levels, and safety awareness ⁵.

The preparation process Hanwha Q CELLS undertook to obtain this certification aligns with the evaluation criteria. Hanwha Q CELLS began with a systematic inspection of its safety environment management system, proceeded with system establishment and on-site implementation, and prepared for the entire process up to raising the safety awareness of its members ¹². In particular, strengthening the communication system among safety managers, laboratory directors, and research activity participants to ensure that the safety management system is organically linked with on-site operations was highly appreciated during the review process ¹².

The certification procedure undergoes final decision through document and on-site reviews followed by deliberation and resolution by the Certification Review Committee, and the validity period of the obtained certification is two years, requiring maintenance management ⁶.

Expanding Certification Benefits and the Spread of the System

These efforts by Hanwha Q CELLS are in line with the recent trend of increasing awareness of the certification system within corporations and universities. Starting with 78 laboratories in 2016, participation in this system has increased significantly, with a total of 285 laboratories belonging to 94 institutions obtaining certification in 2025 ⁴.

As of 2026, obtaining certification provides bonus point benefits when applying for the Ministry of Science and ICT's Laboratory Safety Environment Improvement Support Project, and an Excellent Laboratory Certificate and a certified plaque are awarded ³⁴. In particular, from 2026, a personal category commendation (5 points) rewarding individual contributors such as student researchers has been introduced, breaking away from the previous commendation system centered on groups, and the scale of the Minister's Commendation has been expanded, further strengthening substantive support and incentives ³⁴. For corporations and research institutes, this means they can demonstrate safe working environments while also securing these institutional benefits.

Meanwhile, it has also been observed that universities are providing their own budgets to prepare for government certification to meet such national standards. For example, through their Graduate School Innovation Planning Teams, some universities are supporting a budget of approximately 80 million won with the goal of obtaining Ministry of Science and ICT certification under the name 'Happy Laboratory 2.0,' performing tasks such as establishing safety manuals and carrying out environmental improvement construction projects ⁶. Regardless of whether it is the corporate or academic sector, this is a trend showing that laboratory safety is taking its place as a core value.

Balance Between Corporate Safety Management and R&D Environments

The Excellent Safety Management Laboratory Certification proves that it is not merely regulatory compliance, but a core infrastructure for maximizing research performance ². In fact, Osstem Implant has also obtained this certification for three laboratories, including the Teaching Material Development Laboratory, and contributes to dental clinical practices and teaching material development through multifaceted systems such as pre-emptive prevention of risk factors and safety and health education for all employees ⁵.

A representative from Hanwha Q CELLS also stated their plan to stably operate the safety environment management system in conjunction with obtaining this certification, while simultaneously spreading best practices across the entire institute to take the overall safety management level of the organization to the next level ¹. Like the case of the Pangyo Center, which is at the forefront of advanced renewable energy research, Hanwha Q CELLS' achievement this time is expected to remain a good model case for spreading autonomous safety management cultures in corporate workplaces ¹². It once again proves that a safe research environment is key to supporting the sustainability of technological innovation.