New approvals system for exports to China

The China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark is the new standard for products to be marketed, imported or used in China.

The China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark serves as evidence that catalogue-covered products can be marketed, imported or used in China.

The certificate holder must abide by the Regulations for Compulsory Product Certification Mark when using the mark.

A fine of RMB 30,000 is imposed if catalogue-covered products are not certified.

In addition products must then be certified within a specified time period.

Certification marks must be applied if the catalogue products are certified.

Otherwise, corrective measures must be completed within a specified period and a fine of RMB 10,000 is imposed.

Catalogue-covered product certification requires all or part of the following steps to be taken: acceptance of the application; type testing; factory inspection; sampling and testing; evaluation of the certification results and approval of certification; and follow-up inspection.

The CCIB mark was previously required for imports into China for a specific list of commodities.

In addition, the CCEE mark (also known as the great wall mark) was also required for a specific list of both import and domestic commodities.

Under the new system these marks are replaced.

All other certification schemes in China still apply- including those for telecomms (NAL) and medical (SDA) applications.

The cost and lead time for CCC certification is expected to be the same as it was for CCIB certification.

Many of the same procedures such as approval/purchasing of temporary stickers and testing required to be conducted in China are still in place.

However, the new system does leave the door open for the acceptance of foreign test labs.

Products subjected to the old system can be marketed or imported by either the old certificate and mark or the new certificate and mark until 30th April 2003.

Products carrying CCIB or CCEE mark can be marketed or imported under the supervision of the AQSIQ local branches with which such products are filed.

But from 1st May 2003 all products (domestic and imported) must obtain the certificate for compulsory product certification and apply the CCC mark before they are marketed or imported.

The old system marks can still be shown on product packaging provided the new mark is applied along with the old mark.

The following list is the "First catalogue of products subject to compulsory certification" (each product is divided into several categories): electrical wires and cables (5 categories); switches for circuits, installation protective and connection devices (6 categories); low-voltage electrical apparatus (9 categories); small power motors; electric tools (16 categories); welding machines (15 categories); household and similar electrical appliances (18 categories); audio and video apparatus (not including broadcasting service and automobiles) (16 categories); lighting apparatus (2 categories) (not including the lighting apparatus with the voltage lower than 36V); telecommunication terminal equipment (9 categories); motor vehicles and safety parts (4 categories); motor vehicle tires (3 categories); safety glasses (3 categories); agricultural machinery; latex products; medical devices (7 categories); fire fighting equipment (3 categories); intruder alarm systems; and information technology equipment (12 categories).

TUV International UK reckons it can take the hassle and guesswork out of the CCC certification process.

The company's Chinese engineering staff have been handling CCEE and CCIB applications for electrical products for many years and are now ready for the CCC.

Local staff work with clients to pull together all the documentation and samples required and to be a single point of contact.

Staff in China handle all the direct work with the Chinese authorities - including the billing - and stay on top of the submittal process to make sure a project is completed in a timely manner.

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