1. Introduction to CCC Certification

China Compulsory Certification (CCC Certification for short) is a national-level product safety access system established in accordance with the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Certification and Accreditation". It aims to ensure that products related to personal safety, property safety, environmental protection and public interests meet statutory requirements through unified standards, technical specifications and certification procedures. Since its official implementation in 2002, the system has undergone multiple catalog adjustments, forming a dynamically optimized product supervision system.

Certification Scope: The CCC certification catalog covers 22 categories and 159 types of products, mainly including household appliances, automobiles and parts, medical devices, fire-fighting products, electronic information equipment, lighting equipment, etc. According to Announcement No. 9 of 2024 by the State Administration for Market Regulation, 7 new types of products were added in 2025, including commercial gas-burning appliances (such as cooking stoves, steam ovens), flame-retardant wires and cables, electronic toilets, electric bicycle passenger helmets, combustible gas detection and alarm products, water-based interior wall coatings, explosion-proof lamps and control devices. Among them, electric bicycle passenger helmets, explosion-proof lamps and control devices have officially implemented certification management since May 1, 2025, and the other 5 types of products have required mandatory certification since July 1, 2025. At the same time, the third-party evaluation method for CCC certification of low-voltage components has been restored, and mandatory certification has been fully implemented since November 1, 2024.

Regulatory Authority: It is uniformly managed by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). Designated institutions such as the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) are responsible for specific certification implementation, and testing work is undertaken by qualified designated laboratories.

2. Introduction to CCC Certification Mark

The CCC certification mark is a statutory mark for products that have passed mandatory certification. It is divided into two categories: standard specification marks and non-standard specification marks, which can only be used with the approval of the certification body.

• Standard Mark: It adopts a uniformly designed circular pattern with diameters of 8mm, 15mm, 30mm, 45mm and 60mm. The color is white background and blue pattern. The pattern is composed of three English letters "CCC", representing "China Compulsory Certification".

• Non-standard Mark: Applicable to cases where standard marks cannot be used due to product size or structural limitations. Special approval from the certification body is required, and the pattern proportion must be consistent with the standard mark.

• Usage Requirements: The certification mark shall be affixed to a prominent position of the product, and shall be clear, firm and not easy to fall off; imported products shall be affixed with both Chinese labels and CCC marks on the product or its packaging; certified enterprises shall establish the "Control Procedure for the Storage and Use of Certification Marks" to standardize the process of receiving, registering and writing off marks.

3. Significance of CCC Certification for Enterprises

CCC certification is not only a "pass" for products to enter the Chinese market, but also an important means for enterprises to enhance competitiveness and ensure quality and safety, which is specifically reflected in the following aspects:

1. Premise for Legal Operation: According to the "Regulations on Certification and Accreditation", products in the catalog without CCC certification shall not leave the factory, be sold, imported or used in business activities. Certification is the basic requirement for enterprises to operate in compliance with regulations.

2. Market Access Threshold: Both domestic production enterprises and importers can only enter mainstream Chinese market channels if they pass CCC certification. Especially in e-commerce platforms, large shopping malls and other scenarios, certification certificates are necessary conditions for entry.

3. Quality and Reputation Endorsement: CCC certification proves that products meet national standard requirements through strict type tests and factory inspections, which helps to enhance consumer trust and improve brand reputation.

4. Risk Prevention and Control Guarantee: The quality system audit during the certification process and supervision after certification can help enterprises identify quality hazards in the production process and reduce recall, complaint and legal risks caused by unqualified products.

5. International Trade Facilitation: As an internationally accepted mandatory certification system, some provisions of CCC certification are in line with international standards, which helps enterprises' products gain recognition in international cooperation such as the "Belt and Road Initiative" and promote the expansion of export business.

4. CCC Certification Process

The CCC certification process is divided into six core stages, with a total cycle of usually 3-6 months. The specific duration depends on the complexity of the product and the preparation of the enterprise:

1. 1. Certification ApplicationEnterprises submit a written application to a designated certification body (such as CQC), and need to provide documents such as business license, product technical data (such as specifications and models, technical parameters, circuit diagrams), and manufacturer information. When applying, it is necessary to clearly define the CCC certification catalog and corresponding implementation rules to which the product belongs. For new products, the product description and definition requirements in Announcement No. 9 of 2024 shall be referred to for filling.

2. 2. Type TestAfter the certification body reviews the application materials and passes them, it entrusts a designated laboratory to conduct sampling testing on the products. The test items are implemented in accordance with the national standards corresponding to the products. Enterprises need to provide representative samples (usually 2-5 units) as required and cooperate with the laboratory to complete the testing. If the test is unqualified, the enterprise needs to rectify and re-submit the samples for testing.

3. 3. Factory InspectionFactory inspections are divided into three types: initial inspection, supervision inspection and special supervision inspection (unannounced inspection). The core reviews two elements: "factory quality assurance capability" and "product consistency". The initial inspection needs to cover 10 elements of quality assurance capability, including:Responsibilities and resources (job descriptions, equipment lists, personnel training records)

4. Documents and records (quality plans, 12 core procedure documents, 11 types of necessary records)

5. Procurement and incoming inspection (supplier management, key component inspection)

6. Production process control and process inspection (key process identification, special process parameter records)

7. Routine inspection and confirmation inspection (100% factory inspection, regular sampling verification)

8. Inspection and test instruments and equipment (calibration plan, operation inspection records)

9. Non-conforming product control (identification, isolation, rework records)

10. Internal quality audit (annual plan, rectification of non-conformities)

11. Consistency of certified products (change declaration process)

12. Packaging, handling and storage (environmental requirements, protective measures)

13. 4. Evaluation and Approval of Certification ResultsThe certification body comprehensively evaluates the type test report and factory inspection results. If both meet the requirements, the CCC certification certificate will be issued; if there are minor non-conformities, the enterprise needs to complete the rectification within the specified time limit and obtain the certificate after verification.

14. 5. Supervision After CertificationCertified enterprises need to accept regular supervision inspections (usually once every 12 months) and irregular unannounced inspections by the certification body. The supervision content includes product consistency verification, quality system operation, etc. Enterprises need to keep records for at least 24 months for inspection.

15. 6. Certificate Change and ExpansionIf changes occur in product specifications, manufacturer address, key component suppliers, etc., the enterprise shall submit a change application to the certification body. After review and necessary testing/inspection, the certificate change procedures shall be handled; if it is necessary to add certified product models, an application for certificate expansion shall be made.

5. Relevant Standards and Directives

The standards for CCC certification are divided into national standards (GB) and industry standards. Directives mainly include announcements and management regulations issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation. The core documents are as follows:

6. Precautions

Key Points for Preparation Before Certification: Enterprises shall ensure that the business scope of the business license includes the certified product category; the quality system documents (such as ISO 9001 certificate) shall cover the scope of certified products; sort out the list of key components in advance and confirm that the suppliers have corresponding qualifications (such as CCC certification or other qualification certificates).

Key Points for Factory Inspection: Product consistency is the core of the inspection. It is necessary to ensure that the product identification, structure and components are consistent with the type test samples and reports; key production processes shall have work instructions and parameter records; inspection equipment shall be calibrated regularly and operation inspection records shall be kept; non-conforming products shall be marked separately and the disposal process shall be recorded.

Post-Certification Management Requirements: It is forbidden to change product design or key component suppliers without authorization. All changes shall be approved by the certification body; the certification mark shall be kept by a special person and registered before use; accept annual supervision inspections and unannounced inspections as required. Unannounced inspections have no prior notice, and enterprises shall maintain compliance status continuously.

Risk Prevention Tips: Be alert to scams such as "false certification" or "quick certification", and recognize the certification bodies designated by the state; pay attention to the standard update dynamics in a timely manner, such as new products in 2025 shall complete certification within the transition period; imported products shall obtain CCC certificates before customs clearance to avoid goods detention due to lack of certificates.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the validity period of the CCC certification certificate?A1: The CCC certification certificate is valid for a long time, but it is necessary to maintain its validity through regular supervision inspections; if the product standard is updated or the certification implementation rules are adjusted, the enterprise shall complete the certificate conversion as required.

Q2: How to convert the self-declaration of low-voltage components to CCC certificate?A2: According to Announcement No. 9 of 2024, before November 1, 2024, enterprises with valid CCC self-declarations for low-voltage components can apply to designated certification bodies for direct certificate replacement without re-testing; after November 1, 2024, the original self-declarations in the system will be uniformly cancelled.

Q3: Do enterprises need to re-certify if their address changes?A3: Changes in the manufacturer's address shall require a change application to the certification body. The certification body will decide whether to conduct a factory inspection according to the change situation. After the inspection is passed, a new certificate will be issued, and there is no need to re-conduct the type test.