1. Introduction to CQC Certification

The voluntary product certification conducted by the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) is a conformity assessment system independently chosen by enterprises based on market demands. By affixing the CQC mark, products indicate compliance with relevant certification requirements such as quality, safety, performance, and electromagnetic compatibility. As a national-level certification body, the CQC certification system covers more than 500 types of products including mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, appliances, electronic products, textiles, and building materials, filling the gap in quality evaluation outside the scope of mandatory certification (CCC).

Different from the statutory mandatory nature of CCC certification, CQC certification focuses on enhancing product added value and market competitiveness, providing authoritative third-party quality endorsement for products not included in the CCC catalog. Its certification results are highly recognized in both domestic and international markets, serving as an important tool for enterprises to demonstrate product quality and expand market space.

2. Introduction to CQC Certification Mark

The CQC certification mark adopts a circular design, with the prominent "CQC" letter combination in the center. The overall shape is concise and easy to identify. This mark symbolizes that the product has undergone strict testing and review and meets the requirements of relevant certification standards.

Mark Usage Specifications: Certified enterprises may voluntarily choose whether to use the CQC mark on their products, and there is no mandatory requirement for affixation. When using it, the specified proportion must be strictly followed for scaling to ensure the mark is clear and complete without arbitrary deformation or tampering. The mark is usually affixed to the product itself, packaging, or instruction manual to facilitate consumers' intuitive identification of the product's certification status.

3. Significance of CQC Certification for Enterprises

• Enhancing Market Competitiveness: As an authoritative third-party evaluation, CQC certification can effectively prove that product quality is superior to similar non-certified products, helping enterprises gain a competitive advantage in bidding and customer cooperation, especially in high-end markets that value quality.

• Strengthening Consumer Trust: The certification mark provides consumers with an intuitive quality reference, reducing purchase decision-making costs, and helping enterprises establish a good brand image while improving product reputation and user loyalty.

• Standardizing Production Management: The factory inspection during the certification process requires enterprises to establish a sound quality control system and production line consistency management process, promoting enterprises to improve internal management levels and reduce quality risks in the production process.

• Expanding Market Channels: Some industry customers or purchasers take CQC certification as a basic condition for cooperation. Obtaining certification can help enterprises break through market barriers and enter broader sales areas, including some domestic and international markets with higher quality requirements.

4. CQC Certification Process

1. Preliminary Preparation: Confirm whether the product is within the CQC certification catalog, prepare technical documents (such as circuit diagrams, lists of key components, user manuals, etc.), and select a qualified testing laboratory.

2. Certification Application: Register an account through the CQC official website, submit the CQC certification application form online, and provide relevant qualification documents such as business licenses and production licenses.

3. Sample Testing: Submit samples to designated laboratories (such as China Electric Power Research Institute, Shanghai Electrical Equipment Testing Institute) as required for tests on safety, performance, electromagnetic compatibility and other items. Typical tests include insulation resistance, leakage current, standby power consumption, etc. If unqualified items appear during the test, enterprises need to rectify them as required and re-test.

4. Factory Inspection: CQC will arrange auditors to conduct an initial factory inspection on the enterprise, focusing on reviewing the quality control system, production line consistency management, production records, inspection equipment calibration certificates and other contents. For some products (such as large household appliances, toys), enterprises can apply for obtaining the certificate first and then conducting the factory inspection, which must be completed within 3 months after obtaining the certificate.

5. Certification Result Evaluation and Approval: CQC conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the test report and factory inspection results. The review cycle is usually 4-6 weeks, and the expedited service can be shortened to 2 weeks. After passing the evaluation, a fee notice will be issued, and enterprises can obtain the certification certificate after paying the fee.

6. Post-Certification Supervision: The validity period of the certificate is 3 years, during which annual supervision audits (annual audits) are required. The supervision frequency is determined according to the product risk level to ensure that enterprises continuously meet the certification requirements.

5. Relevant Standards and Directives

The CQC certification standards adopt a diversified system, including national standards (GB series), industry standards, and international standards recognized by CQC. Enterprises can choose applicable standards according to product characteristics and market demands. Common types of certification standards are as follows:

• Safety Standards: Such as the GB 4706 series (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances) and the GB 19212 series (Safety of power transformers, power supplies and similar products), which ensure personal and property safety during product use.

• Performance Standards: Formulated for the functional characteristics of different products, such as the performance parameters of electronic products and the physical and chemical properties of building materials.

• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards: Such as the GB/T 17626 series, which ensure that products work normally in the electromagnetic environment and do not cause electromagnetic interference to other equipment.

• Energy Efficiency Standards: Such as the GB 12021 series (Limited values of energy consumption and energy efficiency grades for household refrigerators), which promote energy conservation and consumption reduction of products and meet the national green development requirements.

When applying for certification, enterprises need to confirm the latest standard version corresponding to specific products with CQC to ensure that the product testing and certification process meets the current requirements.

6. Notes

• Confirmation of Certification Scope: Before applying, be sure to check the latest certification catalog through the CQC official website to confirm whether the product is within the certifiable scope, so as to avoid invalid application due to the product not belonging to the CQC certification category.

• Preparation of Technical Documents: Technical documents must be complete and accurate, including product design drawings, key component lists, test reports, etc. Incomplete documents may cause delays in the review.

• Representativeness of Samples: The submitted samples must be representative and can reflect the quality level of mass-produced products; otherwise, the test results may not pass the review.

• Preparation for Factory Inspection: Organize review materials such as production records, inspection equipment calibration certificates, and quality manuals in advance, standardize the management of the production site, and seek factory audit guidance services from professional institutions if necessary to ensure the inspection passes at one time.

• Certificate Change Management: Changes involving product characteristics such as product design and replacement of key components must be reported to CQC in a timely manner for change review. Product information shall not be changed without approval, otherwise the certificate may become invalid.

• Mark Usage Specifications: Use the certification mark strictly in accordance with CQC requirements, and do not abuse or use it in violation of regulations to avoid legal risks caused by improper use of the mark.

• Post-Certification Maintenance: Participate in the annual supervision audit on time, maintain the effective operation of the quality system, ensure that products continuously meet the certification standards, and avoid the certificate being suspended or revoked.

7. Core Differences Between CQC Certification and CCC Certification