China Compulsory Certification, also known as CCC or 3C certification in English. With China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Chinese government, in order to fulfill its WTO commitments, issued the "Regulations on the Administration of Compulsory Product Certification" on December 3, 2001, replacing the original import product safety and quality licensing system (CCIB logo), electrical product safety certification system (Great Wall certification), and national safety certification (CCEE) with the mandatory product certification system (CCC), which integrates the three certificates. The implementation and supervision are carried out by the China Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA), which authorizes and recognizes 15 certification institutions and 152 laboratories. It is stipulated that starting from August 1, 2002, the first batch of certification applications for 132 products in 19 categories listed in the mandatory product catalog will be accepted. These products in the catalog must pass 3C certification and be labeled with 3C certification marks before they can be sold in the market.

3C Certification 2014 Regulatory Update:

According to the Announcement of the National Certification and Accreditation Administration on Issuing the Implementation Rules for Compulsory Product Certification (CNCA Announcement No. 23 of 2014), in order to cooperate with the effective implementation of the new version of the implementation rules, relevant designated certification institutions should formulate corresponding certification implementation rules in accordance with the requirements of the new version of the rules. Implement the implementation rules and detailed rules in a coordinated manner.

According to the implementation rules, enterprises are divided into four levels: A/B/C/D based on the principles of factory inspection conclusions, sampling inspection results, supervision and inspection conclusions, and product quality status. The level will directly affect the certification mode applicable to enterprises applying for CCC certificates, for example, Class A enterprises generally do not require the first factory review. Among them, enterprises that apply for 3C certification for the first time belong to Class B.

CCC certified product range

The product categories that require the 3C certification mark include:

1) The first batch of products to implement mandatory product certification

Wire and cable;

Circuit switches and electrical devices for protection or connection;

Low voltage electrical appliances;

Small power motor;

Electric tools;

Electric welding machine;

Household and similar equipment;

Audio and video equipment category (excluding broadcast level audio equipment and automotive audio equipment);

Information technology equipment;

Lighting equipment (2 types in total) (excluding lighting equipment with voltage below 36V), lamps and ballasts;

Telecommunications terminal equipment;

Motor vehicles and safety accessories;

Motor vehicle tires;

Safety glass;

Agricultural machinery products;

Latex rubber condoms;

Medical device products;

Fire alarm equipment for 3 types of fire protection products;

Security technology prevention product (1 type in total) intrusion detector (indoor microwave Doppler detector, active infrared intrusion detector, indoor passive infrared detector, microwave and passive infrared composite intrusion detector);

2) Second batch of mandatory certification product catalog

Wireless LAN products;

3) Catalogue of the Third Batch of Compulsory Certification Products

Solvent based wood coatings (referring to nitrocellulose/alkyd/polyurethane solvent based wood coatings used for indoor decoration and decoration);

Ceramic tiles (ceramic tiles with an average water absorption rate E<=0.5% used for building decoration);

Concrete antifreeze;

4) Catalogue of Compulsory Certification Products for the Fourth Batch

Intrusion detectors include the following:

Magnetic switch intrusion detector;

Vibration intrusion detector;

Passive glass breakage detector for indoor use;

Anti theft alarm controller;

Car anti-theft alarm system;

Anti theft safe, anti theft safe;

5) The fifth batch of mandatory certification product catalog

Baby strollers;

Electric toys;

Plastic toys;

Metal toys;

Ejection toys;

Doll toys.

6) Catalogue of sixth batch of mandatory certification products

Motor vehicle lighting products (headlights, turn signals; automotive front/rear position lights/brake lights/outline lights, front fog lights, rear fog lights, reversing lights, parking lights, side marker lights, and rear license plate lighting devices; motorcycle license plate lights, position lights);

Motor vehicle reflex reflectors;

Automobile driving recorder;

Reflective markings on the vehicle body;

Automobile brake hose;

Motor vehicle rearview mirrors;

Motor vehicle horn;

Automobile fuel tank;

Door locks and hinges;

Interior materials.

List of CCC certification materials provided

1) Copies of the applicant, manufacturer, and manufacturer's business license and organizational code;

Special reminder: In case of inconsistency between the applicant, manufacturer, and production plant, the collaboration relationship between the three parties must be provided and signed and stamped

2) The original 3C formal application form needs to be stamped;

3) The original product conformity declaration must be stamped;

4) Original 3C testing report and 3C certificate (applicable when derived or changed);

5) Chinese nameplates and warning signs (in Chinese);

6) Circuit schematic diagram;

7) User manual (in Chinese);

8) Explanation of differences and stamping (applicable for multiple models);

10) List of key components and transformer specifications (safety and EMC related key components and valid certification number);

12) Trademark registration certificate/trademark authorization letter;

13) CB report (when applicable);

14) Recent supervision and inspection reports of 3C factories for similar products and copies or numbers of 3C certificates for certified products (when 3C factory audits are not required);

15) Factory audit questionnaire (when 3C factory audit is required);

16) Samples (minimum 3 sets of samples, special samples to be determined);

Special reminder: If it is a lighting fixture, photos and dimensions of each model need to be provided

·Certification processing cycle

The processing cycle for 3C certification usually takes about 2 months.

·Certificate validity period

The validity period of the 3C certification certificate is five years. During the five-year validity period of the certificate, as long as the manufacturer undergoes annual factory inspection (annual audit) every year.

·3C derived

3C derivative is designed to meet the needs of independent 3C certificates for manufacturers' distributors or partners. The cost of derivative certificates is relatively low, and the processing time is only 2-3 weeks, which greatly saves costs and eliminates the need for retesting and factory inspection.

Note: The factory information on the certificate cannot be changed, the main certificate is suspended or cancelled, and the secondary certificate will also become invalid.

·Applying for 3C certification for imported products

If the product goods are within the 3C certification catalog and are used for commercial purposes such as sales or for-profit activities, 3C certification is required. For civilian purposes, such as scientific research, exhibition, teaching, samples, etc., exemption from 3C certification can be applied for.

Due to the need for factory inspection for 3C certification, the cost of applying for 3C certification for imported products from abroad will be much higher.