China Updates CCC Certification Requirements for Low-Voltage Electrical Equipment

On March 31, 2026, the China Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) Low-Voltage Electrical Equipment Technical Expert Group (TC06) published three decisions updating the compulsory certification (CCC) requirements for low-voltage electrical equipment. The revised standards entered into force on May 1, 2026.

For manufacturers, the changes will require careful review of:

• Existing certifications
• Test reports
• Product designs

Products involving DC applications, EMC functions, electronic controls, renewable energy systems, or advanced motor technologies are likely to face the greatest compliance impact.

The revisions also incorporate several recent IEC technical documents, including IEC TR 63216, IEC TS 63058, and IEC 63404. This alignment with international standards may make it easier for multinational companies to introduce globally harmonized product platforms into China with fewer localization changes.

Three Revised Standards Become the New Basis for CCC Certification

The revisions replace three existing national standards used within China’s CCC certification framework:

• GB/T 14048.3-2017 → GB/T 14048.3-2025
  Covers switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors, and fuse-combination units.
• GB/T 14048.6-2016 → GB/T 14048.6-2025
  Covers contactors, motor starters, semiconductor controllers, and soft starters.
• GB/T 14048.10-2016 → GB/T 14048.10-2025
  Covers proximity switches and related control circuit devices.

Key New Technical Requirements

The revised standards introduce new or expanded safety, performance, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and environmental requirements that may require supplementary testing for existing certificate holders.

Manufacturers should pay particular attention to new requirements covering:

• DC critical load current characteristics
• Power consumption measurement
• Electronic and limited-energy circuits
• Component fault conditions
• Abnormal operating conditions
• Protective isolation requirements
• Environmental information disclosure
• Integrated radio communication functions
• Ageing performance of screwless terminals
• Additional electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements

Each TC06 decision includes supplementary testing requirements, applicable clauses, sample quantities, and testing conditions for certification conversion projects.

For many manufacturers, the immediate challenge will be identifying where existing type-test reports no longer fully demonstrate compliance with the revised standards.

Product Scope Expands to Emerging Technologies

The revised standards extend beyond traditional low-voltage electrical applications and introduce requirements for newer technologies increasingly used in industrial and commercial environments.

High-Efficiency Motors and Photovoltaic Applications

The standards now address application categories involving high-efficiency motors and enclosed outdoor equipment used in photovoltaic systems.

Manufacturers supplying products for renewable energy installations or energy-efficient industrial applications should review the revised technical requirements carefully, as existing certifications may not fully cover these new scenarios.

Advanced Proximity Switches

GB/T 14048.10-2025 expands coverage to include D-type photoelectric proximity switches incorporating background suppression functions.

Companies manufacturing advanced sensing and automation products should assess whether existing product designs, performance data, and certification documentation satisfy the revised requirements.

Existing CCC Certificate Holders Face Transition Requirements

The TC06 decisions establish a structured transition mechanism for existing certificate holders.

Rather than requiring complete recertification, certification bodies will first review existing test reports and certification documentation to determine whether compliance with the revised standards can be demonstrated.

Supplementary testing will only be required when:

• Relevant testing was not conducted under the previous standard edition
• Existing reports cannot demonstrate compliance with new requirements
• New technical provisions have no equivalent assessment in earlier testing programs

This approach allows existing test reports to be used where they adequately demonstrate compliance, while requiring additional testing only where necessary to address new or revised requirements.

What Foreign Manufacturers Should Expect

For international manufacturers exporting low-voltage electrical equipment to China, the revisions create new compliance challenges.

Increased Compliance and Documentation Requirements

Many companies will need to conduct detailed gap assessments comparing existing certifications and type-test reports against the revised standards.

Products involving:

• DC applications
• EMC-sensitive functions
• Electronic control systems
• Advanced motor technologies

may warrant particular review because the revised standards introduce new requirements in these areas.

Failure to complete required certification transition activities may result in certificate suspension or withdrawal, according to the TC06 decisions.

Potential Product Design Changes

Some manufacturers may also need to implement engineering modifications related to:

• Limited-energy circuits
• Component fault conditions
• DC polarity markings
• EMC performance
• Protective isolation measures
• Environmental information requirements

The extent of any required modifications will depend on existing product designs and the results of certification gap assessments.

Recommended Actions for Manufacturers

Manufacturers affected by the revised standards should review their certification status and transition activities as soon as practical.

Key actions include:

• Identifying all CCC certificates referencing GB/T 14048.3, GB/T 14048.6, or GB/T 14048.10
• Reviewing existing type-test reports and certification documentation
• Conducting gap assessments against the revised standards
• Confirming supplementary testing requirements with certification bodies
• Preparing samples for certification conversion testing
• Evaluating whether product modifications are required

Given the simultaneous revision of three major CCC certification standards and the extensive new testing requirements involved, manufacturers that have not yet completed certification reviews should assess potential compliance gaps promptly. Early action can help reduce certification delays, manage compliance risks, and support continued access to the Chinese market.

For manufacturers requiring support with standards gap assessments, CCC certification transition projects, or communications with certification bodies, contact Cisema's regulatory specialists today.

Further Information

• Explore Cisema’s services for China Compulsory Certification (CCC)

References

• TC06-2026-01 – Decision on Replacing the Mandatory ProductCertification Standard GB/T 14048.3-2017 with GB/T 14048.3-2025 for"Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear – Part 3: Switches, Disconnectors,Switch-Disconnectors and Fuse-Combination Units"
• TC06-2026-02 – Decision on Replacing the Mandatory ProductCertification Standard GB/T 14048.6-2016 with GB/T 14048.6-2025 for"Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear – Part 4-2: Contactors andMotor-Starters, Including Semiconductor Controllers, Starters and SoftStarters"
• TC06-2026-03 – Decision on Replacing the Mandatory ProductCertification Standard GB/T 14048.10-2016 with GB/T 14048.10-2025 for"Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear – Part 5-2: Control CircuitDevices and Switching Elements – Proximity Switches"