China Pilots CCC Mark QR Codes for Power Banks, Electric Bicycles, & Gas Appliances

On December 23, 2025, the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) issued “Announcement of the CNCA on Pilot Reform Measures for CCC Mark Management for Products such as Power Banks” (No. 27 of 2025), followed by implementation notices from China Quality Certification Centre (CQC) on February 4, 2026, and China Automotive Certification Center Co., Ltd. (CCAP) on February 15, 2026.

These measures introduce a pilot reform to the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark system by requiring traceability QR codes for selected product categories.

China Introduces QR Code–Enabled CCC Mark System

The reform enhances the CCC mark by incorporating a traceability QR code alongside the existing mark. For products within the pilot scope, the QR code must be placed immediately to the right of the CCC mark, with both elements presented together and clearly visible.

The QR code is provided by designated certification bodies and may be obtained through certification management systems (including download via the product certification system) or through CCC mark issuance processes. It must comply with applicable CCC certificate and coding rules.

By scanning the QR code, regulators and the public can access certification information, including:

• Certificate number
• Producer name
• Product model
• Certificate status
• Issuing certification body

This approach provides a more direct method for verifying certification information and facilitates easier access to official certification data.

Products Covered Under the Pilot Scope

The new requirement applies to both domestically manufactured products and those exported to China within the following categories:

• Power banks (portable energy storage devices)
• Electric bicycles and their safety components
• Gas-burning appliances and their safety components

Implementation Timeline and Transition Requirements

To operationalize the reform, regulators have established a phased implementation schedule:

• From March 1, 2026: Products newly obtaining CCC certification within the pilot scope must bear the QR code–enabled CCC mark before they can be released from the factory, sold, imported, or used in business activities.
• For CCC certificates issued before March 1, 2026: A transition period applies. Certified enterprises must ensure that, from March 1, 2027 onward, all products manufactured under these certificates are marked with traceability QR codes.
• From March 1, 2027: The QR code requirement applies to all products within the pilot scope entering the market. Products without QR codes can no longer be newly manufactured, sold, or imported after this date.

Products already in circulation before March 1, 2027 — meaning those manufactured, sold, or imported in compliance with previous CCC mark requirements — may continue to circulate and do not need to be relabelled.

Certification Bodies and Enterprise Responsibilities

The reform introduces specific responsibilities for both designated certification bodies and certified enterprises.

Certification bodies are required to:

• Provide QR codes or QR code–enabled CCC marks to certified enterprises
• Establish and maintain information systems to support QR code verification
• Strengthen supervision of CCC mark usage as part of post-certification oversight

Certified enterprises must:

• Apply CCC marks in accordance with applicable regulations and the pilot requirements
• Establish internal systems for CCC mark usage and management
• Ensure consistency between QR code information and certified product data
• Record and archive CCC mark usage

What the Reform Means for Foreign Manufacturers

Taken together, these changes reshape how CCC compliance is implemented in practice, particularly for international manufacturers supplying regulated products to China.

Labelling and Production Updates

Companies must revise product labels and packaging to incorporate QR codes in the required format and position, which may necessitate updates to artwork, printing processes, or tooling. These adjustments often require coordination across regulatory, engineering, quality, and supply chain functions.

Market and Compliance Implications

The ability to access certification data directly through the QR code increases transparency for regulators, distributors, and end users. For compliant manufacturers, this supports stronger product credibility in categories where safety and authenticity are closely scrutinized.

Anti-Counterfeiting Benefits

The reform strengthens control over misuse of certification marks. By linking each mark to verifiable data, it becomes significantly more difficult to replicate or falsify CCC markings without detection, reducing exposure to counterfeit competition.

Internal Control Requirements for CCC Mark Management

The reform introduces a clear expectation that CCC mark usage be actively managed rather than treated as a static label. This requires defined internal controls covering code allocation, data verification, and mark application.

Record-keeping must also support end-to-end traceability — from QR code issuance through design integration to final product use. This is particularly important during the transition period, when both old and new mark formats may coexist in the market.

Recommended Actions for Affected Companies

To meet the new requirements, companies should focus on early coordination and controlled implementation.

• Confirm whether products fall within the pilot scope and review certification status
• Contact the relevant certification body to obtain QR codes and technical specifications
• Update labelling and packaging to integrate the QR code correctly
• Establish internal procedures to manage QR code assignment and usage
• Develop a transition plan aligned with the 2026 and 2027 deadlines

Why This Pilot Reform Matters for China Market Access

This reform reflects a broader regulatory direction in China toward digital supervision, stronger traceability, and tighter control over the use of certification marks.

By embedding verification directly into the CCC mark, regulators are increasing both transparency and enforceability. Although currently limited in scope, the model signals that CCC compliance is evolving toward integrated, data-driven control rather than static certification.

For foreign manufacturers, early alignment will be critical to maintaining compliance, protecting product integrity, and ensuring uninterrupted access to the China market. To assess how this CCC mark reform affects your products and compliance strategy, get in touch with Cisema today.

Further Information

• Explore how Cisema supports international manufacturers with CCC certification — from application to ongoing compliance.

References

For full regulatory details and official notices, refer to the original publications:

• “Notice on Launching the Pilot Work for CCC Product Traceability Marks”
• “CNCA Announcement on the Pilot Reform of Compulsory Product Certification Marks for Power Banks and Other Products”