Introduction to China’s Compulsory Certification (CCC) Mark Program

Gatti & Associates
June 2003

All Rights Reserved

Exporters to China be prepared – the new China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark took effect on May 1, 2003.  The CCC mark is part of China quality and safety assurance system, which has been in place since 1989.  The new unitary system of marks replaces the old dual system that included CCIB marks and CCEE marks (for electrical commodities). 

  The application process for a CCC mark generally takes two to three months.  The exporter must submit their application, with supporting materials, to the China Quality Certification Center (CQCC) whose website (and automated application) can be found at www.cqc.com.cn/index-e.htm.   Supporting materials include user guides, CB reports, and regulatory labels.

Exporters must first determine, however, whether their product requires a marking.  China’s Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) maintains a product catalog on their website (www.cqc.com.cn/ccc/catalogureeng.pdf), which contains the list of CCC mark-required goods.  If this list is not specific enough for your product, the CNCA publishes “Implementation Rules” booklets.  These booklets contain technical specifications and application requirements for each product.  You can obtain the Implementation Rules in English from www.cnca.gov.cn/download/english.html.   If your product requires a CCC mark, you may want to use a consultant to assist you with the application process, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the system.  A number of consultants are available in the United States or China for this purpose.

If you prepare the application yourself, use the China Quality Certification Center website (listed above) for guidance.  In general, however, after you submit the application and accompanying materials, a CNCA-designated test laboratory will test samples of the product in China.  Representatives from the CQCC will also inspect all the facilities that manufacture your product, and will conduct ongoing inspections every year or year and a half after that.  The inspectors will issue an evaluation of the facilities, and either approve or reject the application based on the results.

Presently, there are 132 product types that require a CCC mark.  To view the list, go to the China Gateway website: www.mac.doc.gov/China/Docs/BusinessGuides/cccguide.htm.  In larger product groupings, the categories are as follows:

1.   Electrical wires and cables (five categories)
2.   Switches for circuits, installation protection and connection devices (six categories)
3.   Electric tools (sixteen categories)
4.   Audio and video apparatus (sixteen categories)
5.   Low voltage electrical apparatus (nine categories)
6.   Lighting apparatus (two categories)
7.   Household and similar apparatus (eighteen categories)
8.   Small power motors (one category)
9.   IT Equipment (12 categories)
10. Telecommunications terminal equipment (nine categories)
11. Welding machines (15 categories)
12. Motor vehicles and safety parts (four categories)
13. Motor vehicle tires (three categories)
14. Agricultural machinery (one category)
15. Latex products (one category)
16. Medical devices (seven categories)
17. Safety glasses (three categories)
18. Firefighting equipment (three categories)
19. Detectors for intruder alarm systems (one category)