China Compulsory Certification (CCC): A Complete Guide
Certification (CCC)
CCC (China Compulsory Certification) is the statutory conformity assessment system administered by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Certification and Accreditation and the Administrative Provisions on Compulsory Product Certification. It protects national security, personal safety and the environment by requiring certification of specified products. Products listed in the compulsory catalogue may not leave the factory, be sold, be imported or be used in business activities without certification.
The Administrative Provisions on Compulsory Product Certification were promulgated as Order No. 117 of the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine in 2009 and revised by Order No. 61 of SAMR in 2022.
Since March 2026, a pilot reform of the CCC mark has been rolled out for 3 categories and 11 product types of high-risk products, including power banks, electric bicycles and gas-burning appliances: a traceability QR code is added to the right of the CCC mark. The public and regulators can scan the code to check:
- Certificate validity and certificate number
- Manufacturer name and product model
- Issuing certification body and other key information
From March 2027, all newly produced models of the pilot products must carry the QR code. The reform is based on Announcement No. 27 of 2025 of the National Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA); the traceability QR code is provided free of charge by the certification body when the certificate is issued. Pilot products already marked and shipped under the current requirements before 1 March 2027 are not required to change their marking.
Conventional products keep the existing mark style. The mark must be clearly affixed to the product body or the minimum packaging, with a minimum height of 5 mm.
The catalogue covers 22 major categories and more than 160 products. Key additions and adjustments are as follows:
| Product Category | New / Key Products | Effective Date |
| Wires and cables | Flame-retardant wires and cables (rated voltage 450/750 V and below) | 2025-07-01 |
| Household and similar appliances | Electronic bidets | 2025-07-01 |
| Household gas appliances | Commercial gas-burning appliances | 2025-07-01 |
| Fire protection products | Combustible gas detection and alarm products (control units, detectors, etc.) | 2025-07-01 |
| Building materials | Water-based interior wall coatings | 2025-07-01 |
| Vehicles and safety accessories | Helmets for electric bicycle riders | 2025-05-01 |
| Explosion-proof electrical equipment | Explosion-proof lamps and control devices | 2025-05-01 |
| Household gas appliances | Gas connecting hoses, gas emergency shut-off valves | 2025-10-01 |
| Vehicles and safety accessories | Lithium-ion batteries and chargers for electric bicycles | 2025-11-01 |
| Low-voltage apparatus | Low-voltage components (third-party CCC evaluation restored) | 2024-11-01 |
| Traditional key categories | Household appliances, IT equipment, automotive parts, toys, safety glass, etc. (continued regulation) | Long-term |
Basis: Announcements No. 9, No. 26 and No. 28 of 2024 of SAMR.
Exemptions: products for export only do not require certification; samples for military or scientific research use (subject to filing) do not require certification.
In addition, under Announcement No. 57 of 2025 of SAMR, 16 categories of products previously covered by supplier self-declaration — including circuit switching and protective devices, small motors, power tools, welding machines, and automotive safety glass and seat belts — are transitioning to third-party certification: certification bodies begin accepting applications from 1 July 2026, and all certificate conversions must be completed before 31 December 2026.
- Copy of the business license with a unified social credit code (applicant, manufacturer and production site)
- Compulsory product certification application form (filled in per the business license)
- Registered trademark certificate (if any)
- Product specification, general assembly drawing, electrical schematic
- Description of model differences, list of critical components (with CCC/CB certification certificates where applicable)
- Chinese nameplate, warning labels and user manual
- ISO 9001 certificate (or product process flow chart)
- Factory survey form (for initial applications)
- 2–5 mass-production sample units (adjusted by product complexity)
The factory must establish and operate the 11 key requirements set out in the Implementation Rules for Compulsory Product Certification — Factory Quality Assurance Capability Requirements (CNCA-00C-005):
Shenzhen UNT Technology Co., Ltd. (UNT) is a third-party laboratory specializing in children’s product safety testing. It is accredited by the U.S. CPSC (laboratory registration number 1901) and by IAS (TL-1374, under ISO/IEC 17025:2017), with testing capabilities covering toys, durable infant products, food contact materials, electrical and electronic products, and textiles.
This article is an informational summary of the CCC system. For binding requirements, please refer to the latest announcements and implementation rules issued by SAMR and the designated certification bodies.