PRC Conformity Assessment System: Key Organizations
Key organizations in the conformity assessment system of China include:
State Council
The PRC Cabinet, otherwise known as the State Council, is the highest level of government of China. The State Council is responsible for overseeing the work of Chinese ministries, bureaus, commissions, and agencies.
VISIT THE STATE COUNCIL WEBSITE
State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is China's central authority responsible for market supervision, covering areas such as product quality,
standardization, certification, accreditation, anti-monopoly enforcement, intellectual property protection, and food and drug safety. Established in 2018 through the merger of several regulatory agencies,
SAMR oversees the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) and the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA), ensuring compliance with national and international standards. It also enforces the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) system,
regulates fair competition, and safeguards consumer rights, playing a crucial role in maintaining market order and product safety in China.
VISIT SAMR WEBSITE (IN CHINESE ONLY)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CCC SYSTEM
Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA)
The Certification and Accreditation Administration of People’s Republic of China (CNCA) is authorized by the State Council and charged with administering the conformity assessment system under the supervision of SAMR.
CNCA coordinates certification and accreditation activities in China and participates in international conformity assessment activities.
CNCA's main functions are summarized below:
- Support SAMR in the administration and implementation of the CCC system and voluntary certification schemes;
- Designate certification bodies for scope-specific conformity assessment work for the CCC system;
- Drafts national laws and regulations concerning certification and accreditation;
- Participate in international conformity assessment activities representing China.
In terms of directing the compulsory certification and testing system, including the CCC Mark, The main functions of CNCA are:
- Prepare, adjust, and release the CCC catalogue;
- Formulate and publish the implementation rules for product certification in the CCC catalogue;
- Develop and publish certification marks and determine the requirements for certificates;
- Designate certification bodies and laboratories that undertake certification and related work, and organize regular supervision and inspection;
- Guide the local market supervision departments to investigate and punish illegal acts of compulsory certification;
- Carry out random inspections and risk monitoring of the effectiveness of certification for certified products.
VISIT CNCA WEBSITE (IN CHINESE ONLY)
China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS)
China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) is the national accreditation body of China, responsible for the accreditation of certification bodies, laboratories, inspection bodies, and verification/validation bodies.
CNAS is authorized by SAMR in accordance with the Regulations on Certification and Accreditation and the Methods for Supervision and Administration of Accreditation Body.
CNAS is a member of International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), as well as the member of Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC).
CNAS’ main functions are summarized below:
- Operate the national accreditation system for conformity assessment bodies and develop rules, criteria and guidance for accreditation;
- Accredit all certification bodies, testing labs, and inspection bodies in China;
- Ensure conformity assessment bodies provide impartial service and accurate results.
VISIT CNAS WEBSITE
Designated Certification Bodies (DCBs)
CNCA designates certain accredited certification bodies (DCBs), testing labs (DTLs), and inspection bodies (DIBs) to certify and test products in accordance with the CCC requirements.
CNCA assigns each DCB a specific product-scope, and they may only certify products within their specific scope.
VISIT THE LIST OF DCBS IN CNCA DATABASE (IN CHINESE ONLY)
China Quality Certification Center (CQC) is one of China's leading certification bodies. Accredited by CNAS and designated by CNCA, CQC administers the CCC Mark for 17 product categories.
CQC also certifies products for several other conformity assessment marks that are used in China, including the CQC mark.
VISIT CQC WEBSITE
Other Regulators
Chinese ministries may require additional certification for specific products, such as China Energy Label for energy-intensive products like refrigerators and air conditioners, and the China RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) label for electronics. Therefore, there are additional regulators in the conformity assessment system.
Be sure to know what additional conformity assessment mark(s) and / or certifications are required for each imported and exported product.
VISIT THE LIST OF ALL CHINESE MINISTRIES
Conformity Assessment Used in China
