How to Get a Cheap 3C Certification?

China Compulsory Certification (CCC) is a mandatory product certification system issued by the Chinese government in 2001 to fulfill its commitments upon joining the WTO. The 3C certification aims to protect consumer safety, national security, and enhance product quality. The main purpose of CCC certification is to ensure the safety and health of consumers, protect the environment, and maintain national security. It serves as a market entry pass, guarantees product quality, and strengthens consumer confidence through the certification process.

Detailed Classification of 3C Certification Directory

The 3C certification directory was updated in September 2022. On September 23, 2022, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) adjusted the CCC directory to add:

1. Lithium-ion batteries and battery packs used in electronic and electrical products, portable power sources.

2. Power adapters/chargers for telecommunication terminal products.

These two newly added products are currently not eligible for CCC certification. The optimized mandatory product certification directory now includes 17 categories of 96 products.

Cables and Wires (3 types)

- 0101: Wire components

- 0104: Rubber-insulated cables with a rated voltage of 450/750V and below

- 0105: Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables with a rated voltage of 450/750V and below

Circuit Switches and Protective or Connecting Devices (5 types)

- 0201: Household and similar use plugs and sockets

- 0202: Switches for fixed electrical installations for household and similar uses

- 0204: Couplers for household and similar uses

- 0205: Thermal fuses

- 0206: Enclosures for fixed electrical installations

- 0207: Tubular fuses for miniature fuses

Low-Voltage Electrical Appliances (9 types)

- 0301: Low-voltage switchgear assemblies

- 0302: Low-voltage switches (isolators, isolating switches, fuse-combined switches)

- 0303: Relays (36V < voltage ≤ 1000V)

- 0304: Other devices (contactors, motor starters, signal lamps, auxiliary contact assemblies, control controllers, AC motor control starters)

- 0305: Other switches (electric switches, vacuum switches, pressure switches, proximity switches, foot switches, thermosensitive switches, liquid level switches, button switches, limit switches, micro switches, reverse switches, temperature switches, travel switches, changeover switches, automatic changeover switches, knife switches)

- 0306: Residual current devices (RCD)

- 0307: Circuit breakers

- 0308: Fuses

- 0309: Other circuit protection devices

Small-Power Motors (1 type)

- 0401: Small power motors

Power Tools (3 types)

- 0501: Electric drills

- 0503: Electric grinders

- 0506: Electric hammers

Welding Machines (4 types)

- 0603: DC arc welding machines

- 0604: TIG arc welding machines

- 0605: MIG/MAG arc welding machines

- 0607: Plasma arc cutting machines

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances (19 types)

- Household refrigerators and freezers, electric fans, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, rice cookers, electric blankets, etc.

Electronic Products and Safety Accessories (18 types)

- Personal computers, printers, scanners, servers, mobile devices, audio-visual equipment, and more.

Lighting Equipment (2 types)

- Embedded lamps, portable general-purpose lamps, aquarium lamps, etc.

Motor Vehicles and Safety Accessories (13 types)

- Motor vehicles, motorcycles, helmets, seatbelts, safety glass, etc.

Agricultural Machinery (2 types)

- Plant protection machinery, wheeled tractors.

Firefighting Products (3 types)

- Fire alarms, fire extinguishers, escape products.

Safety Technology Prevention Products (2 types)

Construction Materials (3 types)

- Solvent-based wood coatings, porcelain tiles, building safety glass.

Toys (7 types)

- Children's bicycles, electric toy cars, plush toys, metal toys, etc.

Explosion-Proof Electrical Equipment (17 types)

- Explosion-proof motors, pumps, transformers, monitoring products, etc.

Household Gas Appliances (3 types)

- Gas stoves, gas water heaters, gas heating water boilers.

Note: Some products under CCC certification are eligible for a self-declaration certification method, which does not require factory inspections. Enterprises can declare their products meet CCC requirements through two self-declaration programs (A and B). The "A" program allows self-selected lab type testing + self-declaration, while the "B" program requires designated lab testing + self-declaration.

Documents Required for 3C Certification

For initial applications or information changes:

- Compulsory product certification application form

- Copies of the applicant's business license

- Organizational structure of the manufacturing plant

- Process flow chart for the certified product

- Key equipment list for routine testing

- Product assembly and wiring diagrams

- Chinese labels, warning signs, and instructions

- Other relevant documents (e.g., CB test reports, if applicable)

For re-applying for similar products:

- Certification application form

- Product assembly and wiring diagrams

- Chinese labels, warning signs, and instructions

- Other necessary documents (e.g., CB test reports)

Special Notes:

- Products in the 3C directory must have the CCC certificate before they can be imported, sold, or used in business.

- Non-3C products, if listed in the HS code for mandatory certification, require a self-declaration.

- Some products are exempt from 3C certification, including personal items, research and testing products, parts for production lines, and goods for export only.