China Compulsory Certification (CCC) Certification

CCC (China Compulsory Certification) is China's mandatory product-certification regime. The scope list (CCC Catalogue) is published by the competent authority, and products on the list cannot be imported, sold or used in China without a CCC certificate. Its distinguishing feature is that a factory audit and regular follow-up audits are mandatory in addition to type testing.

• Manufacturers exporting electrical and electronic products to China
• Automotive parts and tyre manufacturers
• Manufacturers of fire-safety products and cable
• Firms manufacturing in China and selling into the domestic market

Mandatory for products in the CCC catalogue, with narrow exceptions. The process consists of type testing, an initial factory audit and issuance of the certificate; annual follow-up audits are carried out after certification. Testing must be carried out at authorised laboratories in China, and sending samples to China is a significant time item in the process.

• Determining whether the product is in the CCC catalogue
• Determining the applicable Chinese national standard (GB standards)
• Type testing at an authorised laboratory
• Initial factory audit: production consistency and the quality control system
• Issuing the CCC certificate
• Printing the CCC mark and the permission to use it
• Annual follow-up audits and product-change notifications

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• PSEJapan Electrical Conformity
• KCKorea Conformity
• BISIndia Conformity
• BSMITaiwan Conformity
• RCMAustralia/New Zealand
• CEEU Product Conformity
• UKCAUnited Kingdom Conformity
• ENECElectrical Product Safety