International Trade and Investment Toolbox: Succeeding in China
First Steps
Foreign companies that are attempting to do business in the Chinese market for the first time may find the process daunting and difficult to navigate. The resources provided here are
intended to point companies in the right direction as they branch out in China.
The U.S. Commercial Service has prepared a guide for U.S. businesses including information on potential business partners in China, relevant regional and industry information,
and services that the U.S. Commercial Service can provide to businesses getting started in China.
Access the U.S. Commercial Service Guide to China
U.S. businesses wishing to expand their businesses to China may also benefit from the experiences of other U.S. organizations that have succeeded in this key market.
Access Models for Success Case Studies.
Necessary market Access and market acceptance Information
Understanding standards, conformity assessment, and technical regulations is very important when accessing the Chinese market. Following are some key PRC market access and market acceptance requirements:
Chinese National [“GB”] Standards
Chinese National Standards [sometimes referred to as “GB standards”] may be either voluntary or mandatory. Designations that begin with “GB” are mandatory, while those that begin with “GB/T” are voluntary.
Find the Chinese national standards that apply to your product
[The easiest way to search this database is to
use your product’s ICS code. Click here to learn more about ICS codes and to find the code for your
product]
Purchase Chinese national standards,
Access a National Bureau of Asian Research [NBR] report that provides additional information the Chinese standards system and the various classes of Chinese standards
CCC Mark
In effect since 2003, the China Compulsory Certification [CCC or 3C] mark is a mandatory conformity mark that applies to several specific product categories in the Chinese market. These product categories have been selected as susceptible to concerns for human life and health, animals, plants, environmental protection and national security.
How do I know if my product requires CCC mark?
Any product listed in the CCC Mark Product Catalogue must apply for CCC mark before it can be marketed, imported or used for any commercial purpose in China.
View the relevant regulations that govern the CCC program, as well as the CCC Catalogue.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has also prepared a guide to CCC mark including an overview and history of the mark, a product scope guide, exemption information, and an FAQ on CCC mark.
View the DOC Guide to CCC Mark.
The CCC mark is administered by the Certification and Accreditation Administration [CNCA]. The China Quality Certification Centre [CQC] is designated by CNCA to process CCC mark applications and to define the product scopes that require it.
The certification process usually takes 60 to 90 days and includes the following steps:
- Submission of an application and supporting materials
- Type Testing. A CNCA-designated test laboratory in China will test product samples
- Factory Inspection. CQC will send representatives to inspect the manufacturing facilities
- Evaluation of the results
- Approval of the CCC Certificate [or failure and retesting]
- Annual Follow-up Factory Inspections by Chinese officials
Key Issues
China is increasingly becoming an attractive market for U.S. businesses and, since its adhesion to the World Trade Organization, is increasingly making efforts to reinforce its legal infrastructure and reduce non-tariff trade barriers. However, many companies still note the following key issues that affect their business in China:
China RoHS
Although the concept is based in the European “Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances”, China RoHS [officially the “Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products”] has very unique provisions. Since going into effect on March 1, 2007, China RoHS has required a specific mark and disclosure of the presence of any of six identified hazardous substances.
The Chinese regulation differs from its EU counterpart in its scope as well as the specific requirements.
- For an English translation of the final China RoHS regulation, click here.
- For an unofficial English translation of the classification and explanations of
Electronic Information Products [EIP], click here.
- For Design Chain Associates, LLC Guide to China RoHS, click here.
- For AeA [formerly American Electronics Association] Guide to China RoHS, click here.
China WEEE
Officially the "Regulation for the Management of the Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products", China WEEE is a counterpart to the EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which sets out the financial and other responsibilities of producers with regard to the collection and recycling of waste at the end of life.
The English translation of the China WEEE regulation is available for purchase from Design Chain Associates, LLC .
Intellectual Property Rights [IPR]
Companies planning to expand their business to China should be aware of the existing challenges to protecting IPR in the country.
Although China has strengthened its legal infrastructure and increased legislation banning copyright violation, the reality is that Chinese
legal authorities have little capacity to enforce legislation.
Therefore, it is estimated that an average of 20% of consumer products on the Chinese market are in fact counterfeit.
Access the U.S. Embassy Beijing’s IPR toolkit.
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