China regulates the use of a unified mark for compulsory product certification, namely “CCC”, that is, ”China Compulsory Certification”. Any product included in the catalog of compulsory certification that has not obtained a certificate issued by a designated certification body and has not affixed a certification mark in accordance with regulations may not be manufactured, sold, imported, or used in other business activities. In March 2018, in order to facilitate the application of certification marks by enterprises, the National Certification and Accreditation Administration reformed the management of the issuance of CCC marks and issued the “Management Requirements for the Application of Compulsory Product Certification Marks”, which regulates the use of CCC marks. Specific provisions are made on the prerequisites, the specification and color of the sign, the location of application, and the timing of application.

On August 10 this year, the National Certification and Accreditation Administration issued the “Announcement on Improving Compulsory Product Certificates and Mark Management” again, which put forward new requirements for the use of the CCC mark. There are mainly the following changes:

• The dimension specifications of the standard CCC mark have been added, and there are now 5 types.
• Cancel the use of non-standard specifications CCC mark (deformation mark).
• Added electronically marked CCC mark: the CCC mark is electronically displayed on the integrated screen of the product (the product cannot be used normally after the screen is disassembled).
• The methods of using the CCC mark are clarified.

Below is a summary of the new version document.

CCC Mark Pattern

The CCC logo pattern is oval. The logo vector image can be downloaded from the compulsory product certification column on the website of the National Certification and Accreditation Administration.

 CCC Mark Types  

1. Standard specification CCC mark: applied at a specified position on the product by pasting. The CCC mark has five outer diameter dimensions of oval long and short axis (unit: mm).

2.Printed/molded CCC mark: directly applied on the specified position of the product using printing, stamping, moulding, silk screen, spray painting, etching, engraving, branding and other technical processes. The size can be enlarged or reduced proportionally.

3.Electronically marked CCC mark: displayed electronically on the integrated screen of the product (the product cannot be used normally after the screen is disassembled), and the size can be enlarged or reduced proportionally.

Labeling requirements for CCC marks

Standard specification CCC mark: should be affixed on an obvious position on the outer surface of the certified product. If the certification rules have clear provisions on the affixing location, such provisions shall prevail. The logo pattern is clear, complete, and resistant to wipes; the logo can be firmly pasted.

Printed/molded CCC mark: designed and produced by the certified organization based on the specific conditions of the product. The mark should be inseparable from the product body or nameplate, and the logo pattern should be clear, complete, and independent. The logo should be affixed to a prominent position on the outer surface of the product or on the nameplate.

Electronically marked CCC mark: only applicable to products with integrated screens and electronic nameplates. It is designed and produced by the certified organization based on the specific conditions of the product. The logo pattern should be clear, complete, and independent. The electronically marked CCC mark is displayed electronically on the integrated screen of the product. The access path for the electronically marked CCC mark should be listed in the product instructions and other accompanying documents. At the same time, the minimum sales package of the product should be stamped with the standard CCC mark or the printed/molded CCC mark.

Exceptions:

1) Use of deformed marks: In principle, the CCC mark shall not be used in deformed form. For special products, if the CCC mark needs to be deformed, it shall be stipulated in the certification rules of the corresponding product.

2) The main body cannot be marked: Due to product shape, size, etc., products that cannot use the above three methods to add the CCC mark should add the standard specification CCC mark or print/ Molded CCC logo.

Summary

The new management requirements complete the size, application method, and deformation requirements of the CCC mark. It will come into effect on January 1, 2024. At the same time, the “Management Requirements for the Application of Compulsory Product Certification Marks” issued in Announcement No. 10 of 2018 will be abolished.