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What is CCC Certification?
The Chinese CCC Certification, also known as “China Compulsory Certification” (in Chinese: zhongguo guojia qiangzhixing chanpin renzheng, or just “3C”) is the most widespread product safety certification in China, it is a mandatory certification. It was implemented in the context of China’s admission to the WTO (World Trade Organization) in 2002. It served two purposes: Already existing systems were to be consolidated and the certification process had to be made accessible for foreign manufacturers. On the other hand, China also wanted to increase product quality and safety for their own consumers. The CCC-mark covers a broad range of products and applies not only to Chinese manufacturers but worldwide to all goods imported to China.
Meanwhile, the CCC-Certificate has become an essential component of China’s international trade.
Chinese customs are very strict and thorough where CCC is concerned. Permissions of exemptions (e.g. due to small quantity) are very rare.
Back in 2002 Cisema was one of the first service providers, who was able to provide assistance to obtain a “CCC certificate”. Cisema has important contacts to the Chinese certification organizations, which are crucial to the success of a certification application.
Although there already are standardized processes, official regulations, and specialized Chinese certification organizations, the requirements are still quite extensive and often very complex. Many applicants underestimate the extent of regulations and the conformity Chinese authorities expect. As a consequence, they often face extra work and rising costs.
Details
Which product categories require China CCC Certification?
The list of the product categories that require certification is constantly being expanded and adapted. Further information please find in our China CCC Certification whitepaper, which you request for free here.
The legal basis for Chinese certifications is set by particular product standards (GB-standards, GB means “guobiao” in Chinese) and the “implementation rules”. The specifications are basically compatible with international norms but often differ in certain aspects or details. Therefore, foreign certifications or test reports usually are seldom accepted for China CCC certification.
Our Service
Which China CCC Certification Services Does Cisema Offer?
Your advantages
How can you benefit from Cisema's China CCC Certification Services?
- Correct application: Avoiding mistakes that are not easily detected. More than 15 years experience with a broad CCC-customer base has enabled us to provide a very sound service.
- Contact person close to you, providing you with assistance even on short notice. Due to our locations in Germany and China, we are very flexible and available on short notice.
- Avoiding misunderstandings caused by cultural or language barriers. Cisema offers interpreter services and is very familiar with the mentality of Chinese authorities.
- Existing relations with Chinese authorities. Sound relationships with Chinese authorities are essential for all businesses in China. Our offices in China maintain these within the framework of our code of conduct (we respect FCPA https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-practices-act).
- Specialized Know-How. Our long-term experience in the field of certification enables us to provide you with competent expertise. Saving of expenses. High costs occur due to mistakes and misunderstandings. We help you avoid these through an efficient approach.
- Keeping a close watch on the latest regulations. Our local offices in China ensure that we are up-to-date on changes of CCC regulations. It is of utmost importance that applicants are aware of changes as Chinese authorities emphasize on strict and often immediate compliance with regulations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About China CCC Certification
For the initial certifications you have to calculate at least 5-6 months. For specific product groups the required time frame can be considerably longer than that.
1) Application, 2) Tests, 3) Factory inspection. Only if all 3 points have been completed successfully a CCC certificate is issued.
Usually not. For electronics products you can submit CB test reports. However, very often afterwards there will be additional requests on the reports and therefore a very large expenditure of time is to be expected. It is possible that after lengthy discussions and adaptation and clarification the reports will still not be accepted.
For companies from outside of China usually not. If the product group is completely different from what has already been certified, an additional or extended factory inspection can be scheduled as part of the annual monitoring. In addition, test samples for testing in China may be required as part of the official application.
Whether a basic quality management which is able to conform to the certification’s requirements has been established and is practiced. Also, whether the information on the submitted forms matches the reality.
Yes and No. The lower section of a CCC certificate lists what needs to be done to maintain validity. Annual factory inspections are required for most product groups. In conclusion, however, this also means that a factory inspection must be carried out before the expiry date to obtain a new one.
In principle, the marking with the CCC logo is allowed to start after a valid CCC certificate has been obtained.
A distinction must be made here in two cases:
1) You may design and apply the label yourself in accordance with the applicable requirements for the relevant product group. If necessary, the Chinese certification organisation in charge requires that the planned marking is to be reviewed on a document basis before it is issued. Then, after the certificate has been issued, the marking with the CCC logo is permitted.
2) The CCC marking must (this applies for a few product group), or should, be done with registered CCC logo stickers. As soon as a valid certificate is available, the stickers can be purchased from the responsible certification organisation.
Please note that after an invalid certificate, the CCC marking is no longer permitted. Products marked during the certificate’s validity period and then sent to China may be refused by Chinese customs. In most cases,
