The document provides information about product certification requirements in China. It discusses who is in charge of certification, the process for obtaining certification, how to determine if a product requires certification, tips for navigating the application process, and details about audits. The certification, known as the CCC mark, is overseen by multiple agencies and involves testing, factory inspections, annual follow-up inspections, and can take 6-12 months and cost several thousand dollars to complete. Negotiation and developing relationships with Chinese agencies is important for successful certification.

1. CHINA PRODUCT CERTIFICATION
Kim Kirkendall, CPA
International Resource Development, Inc.
Email: virtualoutsource@hotmail.com
www.intlresource.com www.chinaresourcenetwork.com
With 29 years of doing business in China and clients that range from SME to multi-
nationals we are the resource to improve your business!

2. TOPICS
Ò Who Is In Charge?
Ò What is the Process For Certification
Ò How Do You Know If Your Product Is Included?
Ò How To Go Through Application Process
Ò Audits….who, why, how, when
Ò Discussion

3. WHO IS IN CHARGE?
Ò Overall Agency – CNCA
Ò The CCC mark is administered by the CNCA (
Certification and Accreditation Administration). The
China Quality Certification Centre (CQC) is designated by CNCA to
process CCC mark applications and defines the products that need
CCC.
Ò Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
(SAC) was established in April 2001 and authorized by the State
Council to exercise administrative responsibilities by undertaking
unified management, supervision and overall coordination of
standardization works in China. (ISO)
Ò Other product categories have their own agencies (future slide).

4. State Council
(PRC)
CNCA
AQSIQ
SAC
Compulsory
Certification & Lab
Accreditation
Marketplace
Surveillance
Border Control
(Inspection &
Quarantine)
Standard Setting
CNCA: Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China
AQSIQ: State General Administration of the People’s Republic of China
SAC: Standardization Administration of China
Provincial Branches

5. CQC – WHO ARE THEY???

6. CCC – WHO ARE THEY???

7. 7
Operations
Recent List of Products Needing CCC
• No localized Supply Chain
• No process documentation
• No MRP
• No Established stable team
1. Electrical wires and cables
2. Circuit switches, electrical devices for protection or connection
3. Low-voltage Electrical Apparatus
4. Low power motors
5. Electrical tools
6. Welding machines
7. Household and similar electrical appliances
8. Audio and video apparatus
9. Information technology equipment
10. Lighting apparatus
11. Telecommunication terminal equipment
12. Motor Vehicles
13. Motor vehicle types
14. Safety glasses
15. Agricultural Machinery
16. Latex Products
17. Medical Devices
18. Fire Fighting equipment
19. Safety protection products
20. Home décor and remodeling products
21. Safety parts and accessories of vehicles and motorcycles
22. Toy products
23. IT Products
24. WHATEVER ELSE THE GOVERNMENT DECIDES!

9. OTHER AGENCIES
Ò China Food and Drug Administration – regulates the imported
medical device registration, drug/health food registration,
pharmaceutical packaging. Went through a re-organization last year
Ò Certification and Accreditation Administration – regulates a large
group of products, for example, Electrical wires and cables, Circuit
switches, electric devices for protection or connection, Low-voltage
Electrical Apparatus, Low power motors, Electric tools, Welding
machines, Household and similar electrical appliances and more
Ò National Nuclear Safety Authority– regulates the certificate for
nuclear products
Ò Ministry of Industry and Information Technology – regulates a lot of
electronic information products, the network access license for
telecommunication products, SRRC license for radio frequency (RF)
and satellite products.
Ò AQSIQ – Production Licensing Industrial Products
Ò Standardization Administration China – ISO Related

10. WHAT IS THE PROCESS
There are five major steps in the CCC mark application process. If your
company elects to handle the application process, your first step should be
to visit the website of the China Quality Certification Center (CQC), which
administers the CCC mark application process.
At the website, click on the "Application Process", a document giving step-by-
step instructions on how to apply for the CCC mark. The five-step application
process includes:
1. Submission of an application and supporting materials, including user
guides, CB reports, EMC reports, regulatory labels and other information.
2. Type Testing. A CNCA-designated test laboratory in China will test product
samples.
(more)

11. PROCESS (CONTINUED)
3. Factory Inspection. CQC will send representatives to inspect the
manufacturing facilities for your product. They will inspect each
factory producing your product (e.g. If your company manufactures
Product Z in five separate factories, all of which ship product to
China, you will need to have five separate factory inspections).
Please note: Chinese inspectors will need U.S. visas to visit U.S.-based facilities. The U.S.
State Department is now subjecting visa applications to a greater degree of scrutiny
than in the past, and visa applicants are being advised to expect delays. These visa
delays may slow your CCC mark application.
4. Evaluation of certification results, and approval (or failure or
retesting).
5. Follow-up Factory Inspection.
Manufacturing facilities for the product will be re-inspected by
Chinese officials every 12-18 months.

12. PROCESS - OVERVIEW
The application process for the CCC mark:
Ò 1. can take sixty to ninety days or longer (their estimate);
Ò 2. requires testing at accredited laboratories in China;
Ò 3. generally does not permit self certification or third-party testing
results – they focus on China’s GB (national standards);
Ò 4. requires submission of numerous technical documents;
Ò 5. requires submission of a product sample to a Chinese testing
laboratory, usually two pieces;
Ò 6. requires a factory inspection by Chinese officials at the applicant's
expense for every factory that will make this product;
Ò 7. requires follow-up inspections every twelve to eighteen months;
and
Ò 8. can cost several thousand dollars.

13. WHAT? YOU WANT US TO DO WHAT?

14. 14
Operations
Unofficial CCC Process
Process
• No localized Supply Chain
• No process documentation
• No MRP
• No Established stable team
1. Preparation of application material and submission to
the Chinese authority
a) Appoint a local team member as the CCC project head
b) Submit the Product Safety Material Application
c) Research testing centers and choose based on location and
testing appointment time (NOT Beijing or Shanghai)
d) Communicate frequently with CQC while writing application
e) Negotiate with CQC
f) Submit all the material needed in the Prepare section
2. Receive the CCC Factory code and requirements of
the test products
a) Review the testing criteria
b) Negotiate with CQC on testing requirements
c) Negotiate on the number of types of test samples
d) Build test samples and send to lab
Prepare

15. 15
Operations
Unofficial CCC Process
Process
• No localized Supply Chain
• No process documentation
• No MRP
• No Established stable team
3. Product testing in a CNCA-designated Chinese
laboratory
a) The CCC project head should check in with CQC weekly
b) Send testing support for each schedule test
c) Negotiate testing techniques and failures
d) Try not to have your units put back in the queue
4. Factory Audit/Inspection (2 Days)
a) Start and complete the factory form early
b) Initial inspection always by CQC
c) Note all comments made by inspectors and correct
immediately
Test Inspect

16. 16
Operations
Unofficial CCC Process
Process
• No localized Supply Chain
• No process documentation
• No MRP
• No Established stable team
5. Approval of CCC Certificate
a) Testing is complete with payment is required
b) Certificate may not arrive for months after completed testing
6. Receive the printing or purchasing permission of China
marks
a) Immediately save a copy of your completed permission form
to purchase or print CCC labels for future inspections
b) NOTE: The entire process can take more like 12-18 months!
7. Annual follow-up certification (4-8 hours)
a) Local inspectors will give you a 2-week window
b) Complete the factory form
c) Ensure a sample is ready for inspection
Approve &
Follow-up

17. 17
Operations
Application/testing approval tips
Process
• No localized Supply Chain
• No process documentation
• No MRP
• No Established stable team
• Focus on Steps 1 and 2, PREPARE
o MOST important part of the process
o Binding agreement between your company and CQC
o If done correct, will save a lot of time and money
• Less details in application file
o Ambiguity is an asset in descriptions
o Only add details if requested by CQC
• Critical Component List
o Least number possible (by CQC)
o List many alternate suppliers
• Include all options
• Testing proposal is negotiable

18. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR INCLUDED?
Ò Like many countries, China has multiple certification schemes. Though the
CCC mark is the widest-ranging certification requirement, your product may
have to meet other requirements as well.
Ò Try the US website www.export.gov which has links to Chinese certification
sites and download materials w/ lists for product categories.
Ò CNCA has published 47 "Implementation Rules for Compulsory
Certification." The booklets are available on the Web, in English, at
http://www.cnca.gov.cn/20040420/column/227.htm . The booklets outline
detailed technical application requirements for each of the product
categories.
Ò CNCA's Implementation Rules cite numerous "GB Standards," which are
mandatory standards. Information on mandatory standards can be
requested from China through the U.S. WTO/TBT National Enquiry Point.
Ò Don’t rely on U.S. based sources as to whether you need CCC or Customs
Codes, the code can indicate “no” but your product is still is “yes”

19. GOING THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Ò The greatest challenge you will face in completing an application will not be
meeting the product standards, but rather dealing with the bureaucratic
nature of the process. It will be important that whatever documents you are
required to submit for the application match exactly with the requirements of
the Chinese regulatory agency.
Ò It is important that either you or your representative develop a good working
relationship with the agency responsible for your product’s certification. This
is critical, it’s a negotiation – what tests are performed, how they are
performed, etc
Ò It is also important to anticipate that not every step of the application will go
as planned and that there may be sudden changes in application
requirements. Reversals, different staff at the agency interpret differently, etc.
Ò Remember, its not about what is right, its about what the person who wrote
the test expects to get as an answer.

20. AUDITS – WHO, WHEN, WHY & HOW
Ò The agency or its licensed “agents” perform the
audits
Ò Done annually (or could be waived)
Ò They are generally done onsite at your facility,
by inspectors flown in (tips for managing this)
Ò The staff change, the rules change, the audit
changes – how do you prepare??

21. FOLLOW UP SURVEILLANCE AUDITS
• After the Initial Factory Inspection, which is typically completed
by the registrar . . .
• Surveillance Audits are required annually for most product
categories
• Some products categories require two audits per year
• They include a review of the factory’s QA abilities
(documents, control, testing, etc), product
consistency checking (markings, production sample,
components, etc) and onsite appointed testing (test a
component off the line)
• Certificates are typically valid for five years provided:
• Surveillance Audits are successfully completed
• Standards Referenced on the CCC Certificate are NOT
updated.

22. Its Not How Well You Stand Out…Its How Well You Fit In

23. We Approach Business VERY Differently – And That’s OK

24. IN SUMMARY
The regulations change frequently, are often
issued without implementation details, can be
implemented differently by region/office, and
the individuals you work with can have a
significant effect on the process & outcome.
It is NOT like the process you go through in the
U.S. or Europe. Adjust your expectations.

25. 25
Operations
CCC Waiver
Overview
• No localized Supply Chain
• No process documentation
• No MRP
• No Established stable team
1. Products imported for scientific research and test
2. Product parts imported for technology examination
3. Products imported for end users’ repair service directly
4. Equipment/parts imported to form a manufacturing
production line
5. Products imported for commercial exhibits only
6. Products imported temporarily and will be exported back out
of China
7. Product parts imported in regular trading for the purpose to
export the entire system
8. Product parts imported for processing materials for the
purpose of exporting the entire system

26. 1. Application form (two copies);
2. Applicant’s company registration document (first time
only);
3. Manufacture’s company registration document (first time
only);
4. Power of Attorney if using an agent;
5. If applicant is distributor or importer, a copy of the relative
contract between distributor and manufacture, or a copy
of the relative contract between importer and
manufacturer;
6. Product Safety Certification Questionnaire for Factory
Inspection;
7. CB testing certificate / testing report (if any);
REFERENCE: LIST OF DOCUMENTS

27. 8. Trademark registration document;
9. Product electric circuit diagram, wiring diagram and
schematic assembly drawing;
10. List of components, copy of approval certificates for
critical components;
11. List of main materials;
12. Explanation of differences for each specific model in the
same application unit;
13. Declaration of Conformity;
14. Copy of the latest factory inspection report or follow up
inspection report; and
15. Product photos (exterior, internal structure)
REFERENCE: LIST OF DOCUMENTS

28. INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, INC.
For over ten years we have been helping companies improve their operations in
China. The founder, Kim Kirkendall moved to China in 1986 living there 5
years. She has manufacturing / operations management experience in
China and has spent the last 28 years focused in this field.
Recent projects include;
É guiding a company through re-submission and approval of their CCC certification
for products made in their US and Chinese plants
É assessment of the effectiveness of a Rep Office and its staff – reviewing the
cost/benefit of changing to a trading company format,
É establishing a distribution network in China – creation of the distributor
structure, identifying master distributors, leading the development of a local
website, advice on pitching Chinese online retail outlets,
É resolution of a clients customer (GE) complaints & managing the preparation for
their audit of the local supplier
www.intlresource.com www.chinaresourcenetwork.com
TEL: 330-573-5518 EMAIL: virtualoutsource@hotmail.com