PRC Conformity Assessment System: Conformity Marks Used in China
In order to demonstrate compliance with certain standards or other requirements, manufacturers often place marks of conformity on their products, which are usually granted by certification or accreditation bodies.
In China, there is one mandatory national quality and safety mark (CCC mark) and several voluntary marks that are necessary for market acceptance. According to the Measures for the Administration of Certification Certificates and Certification Marks by SAMR,
compulsory certification marks and national unified voluntary certification marks are national proprietary certification marks.
China Compulsory Certification (CCC) Mark
China Compulsory Certification (CCC) is a market access system established by the Chinese government for product quality and safety. The CCC system was officially announced in December 2001 and enforced in May 2002.
Products listed in the CCC system catalogue must be certified and marked with the certification mark before they are able to be marketed, imported, or sold in China.
Only designated certification bodies (DCBs) can issue the CCC mark and label for manufacturers for products under their respective scope.
CCC certificate is usually valid for 5 years.
The Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) drafts and updates the list of products (the “catalogue”) to be included in the CCC system. According to the catalogue updated in 2024, CCC mark is required for 119 kinds of products in 17 categories (as of July 2024),
among which 18 kinds of products are subject to self-declaration.
CNCA continues to improve the implementation of CCC certification by optimizing its processes and dynamically adjusting the product catalogue to include only what is strictly necessary. Low-risk products are removed,
while high-risk products are added on a regular basis to ensure stricter oversight and safety compliance.
1. Application
Obtaining the CCC Mark involves an application process to CQC or other designated certification bodies. Some companies manage the application process themselves while others choose to rely on consultants based in the U.S. and in China who can handle all aspects of the application process.
The process typically includes submitting application materials, testing product samples, conducting a factory inspection, resolving non-conformities, and completing an evaluation, after which a CCC certificate will be issued. CCC certificates typically require periodical inspections and updates to maintain validity.
Consult your certification body for specific application requirements, as these may vary between organizations
2. Labeling
The last step for completing the necessary requirements for the CCC mark is to apply the mark to the products. There are three types of CCC mark:
- Standard mark: printed by a designated certification body, the mark has anti-counterfeiting function and is identifiable and traceable. The manufacturer of the certified product can purchase the marks from the designated certification body with a valid CCC certificate or self-declaration.
- Printed or molded mark: designed and produced by the certified manufacturer based on the specific conditions of the product. The mark should be inseparable from the product body or nameplate, and its pattern should be clear, complete and independent.
- Electronic mark: only applicable to products with integrated screen and using electronic nameplate. Designed and produced by the certified manufacturer based on the specific conditions of the product.
Certified products can have the certification mark on the outer packaging of the product. Certified products that are produced abroad must be marked with the CCC mark before import, and those produced in China must be marked with the CCC mark before leaving the factory. All products sold in China must be marked in the Chinese language.
3. Waiver / Spare Parts
Certain products may not be required to obtain CCC certification and others may be exempt from the process, according to CNCA’s Regulations on Management of Compulsory Product Certification (revised in 2022).
Products that are found in the catalogue but meet the circumstances listed below are exempt from the certification. However, the producers, importers, sellers or their agents must submit relevant evidentiary materials, liability guarantees,
product conformity statements (including type test reports) and other materials, and conduct product testing as required.
After obtaining the Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Product Certification upon approval, the products can be imported and used according to the application purpose.
Circumstances for exemption from CCC certification:
- Products necessary for scientific research and testing.
- Parts and components necessary for reviewing the technology for imported production line.
- Products directly required for end user maintenance.
- Equipment/components required for the factory production line/complete production line (excluding office supplies).
- Products only for commercial display but not for sale.
- Products that need to be returned after temporary import (including exhibits).
- Parts and components imported by general trade for the purpose of exporting the whole machine.
- Parts and components imported for OEM or processing with supplied materials for the purpose of exporting the whole machine.
- Other circumstances where compulsory product certification is exempted for special purposes.
Companies should be aware that component parts of a manufacturer's finished products may in some cases require CCC certification; in those cases, the component manufacturer is
generally required to apply for the CCC mark. Spare parts and replacement parts shipments may in some cases require CCC certification, or application for an exemption.
Other Marks
CQC mark certification is one of the voluntary product certification services provided by China Quality Certification Center (CQC), which indicates that the products meet relevant quality, safety, performance, electromagnetic compatibility and other certification requirements.
The certification scope covers more than 500 kinds of products, such as mechanical equipment, power equipment, electrical appliances, electronic products, textiles and building materials. CQC mark certification focuses on safety,
electromagnetic compatibility, performance, restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) and other indicators that directly reflect product quality and affect consumers’ personal and property safety.
There are other marks that different organizations or ministries will require. Check with trade organizations to see what marks you will be required to obtain.
Key Information
