China Fire Safety Products Compulsory Certification Rules revised by the CNCA

China Compulsory Certification implementation rules for fire safety products were revised and published by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) on August 5, 2024, to strengthen quality and safety supervision of fire products. These new rules are effective immediately and replace the previous 2020 versions.

The updated implementation rules are:

Fire Extinguishers CCC Certification (CNCA-C18-02: 2024)
Evacuation Products CCC Certification (CNCA-C18-03: 2024).

Certificates issued under the older rules will remain valid until their natural expiration or other events (e.g., product changes or standard updates) trigger the need for conversion. Designated certification bodies must align with these new rules and update their certification programs accordingly.

Due to updates in national standards, portable fire extinguishers will now be certified under the revised GB 4351 standard, which consolidates GB4351.1 and GB4351.2 into one standard. Certification bodies must develop and publish new certification processes to reflect these changes, in line with CNCA’s 2012 announcement requirements.

CCC Implementation rules for Fire Extinguishers

Scope of Application

This rule applies to fire extinguishers used in public and residential settings, covering:

Portable fire extinguishers
Wheeled fire extinguishers
Simplified fire extinguishers

Certification Standards

The certification process follows specific standards listed, which detail the unit division and relevant standards for fire extinguisher certification.

Certification Model

The basic certification model includes type test, initial factory inspection and post-certification supervision.

Certification Maintenance and Validity:

Certificates are valid for 5 years.
To maintain validity, the certification body will conduct periodic supervision. If certification is still needed after the expiration date, the certification holder must apply for renewal within 90 days before expiration. If the final post-certification supervision results are satisfactory, a new certificate will be issued.

Division of Fire Extinguisher Compulsory Product Certification Units and Certification Basis Standards

CCC Implementation rules for Evacuation Products

Scope of Application

The updated rules for evacuation products cover public and residential use, including escape products, self-rescue breathing apparatus, fire emergency lighting, evacuation signage, and fire safety signs.

Certification Standards

Certification is based on the standard “Evacuation escape products mandatory product certification unit division and certification based on the standard”.

Certification Model

The certification process is divided into several critical stages, including type test, initial factory inspection, and post-certification supervision.
Post-certification supervision involves post-certification follow-up inspection, sampling from the production site for testing or inspection, market sampling testing or inspection, or a combination of these methods. Certification Bodies are required to classify production enterprises and determine the appropriate certification mode based on this classification.

Impacts for fire safety product manufacturers

Increased Compliance Requirements:

Manufacturers will need to ensure that their fire safety products meet the stringent safety standards specified in CNCA-C18-02：2024 and CNCA-C18-03：2024. This includes mandatory type testing, quality assurance processes, and product consistency inspections.

Ongoing Compliance and Recertification:

Manufacturers will need to maintain compliance with certification standards over time, including undergoing post-certification supervision. This could involve regular testing, inspections, and potentially recertification if changes are made to the product or if the certification expires after five years.

Risk of Delays and Non-compliance Penalties:

Delays in obtaining certification or failure to comply with the certification requirements could lead to penalties, product recalls, or bans from the market. Manufacturers must manage these risks carefully to avoid disruptions to their business operations.