Q&A on GB 31241-2022 Testing and Certification
Q&A on GB 31241-2022 Testing and Certification,
GB 31241-2022,
▍What is CB Certification？
IECEE CB is the first genuine international system for mutual recognition of electrical equipment safety test reports. NCB (National Certification Body) reaches a multilateral agreement, which enables manufacturers to obtain national certification from other member countries under CB scheme on the basis of transferring one of the NCB certificates.
CB certificate is a formal CB scheme document issued by authorized NCB, which is to inform other NCB that the tested product samples conform to present standard requirement.
As a kind of standardized report, CB report lists relevant requirements from IEC standard item by item. CB report not only provides results of all required testing, measurement, verification, inspection and assessment with clearness and non-ambiguity, but also including photos, circuit diagram, pictures and product description. According to the rule of CB scheme, CB report will not take effect until it presents with CB certificate together.
▍Why we need CB Certification?
- Directly recognized or approved by member countries
With CB certificate and CB test report, your products can be exported to some countries directly.
- Convert to other countries certificates
The CB certificate can be directly converted to the certificate of its member countries, by providing the CB certificate, test report and difference test report (when applicable) without repeating the test, which can shorten the lead time of certification.
- Ensure the Safety of Product
The CB certification test considers the product’s reasonable use and foreseeable safety when misused. The certified product proves the satisfactory of the safety requirements.
▍Why MCM?
● Qualification: MCM is the first authorized CBTL of IEC 62133 standard qualification by TUV RH in mainland China.
● Certification and testing capability: MCM is among the first patch of testing and certification third party for IEC62133 standard, and has finished more than 7000 battery IEC62133 testing and CB reports for global clients.
● Technical support: MCM possesses more than 15 technical engineers specialized in testing as per IEC 62133 standard. MCM provides clients with comprehensive, accurate, closed-loop type of technical support and leading-edge information services.
As GB 31241-2022 issued, The CCC certification could start applying since August 1st 2023. There’s a one-year transition, which means from August 1st 2024, all the lithium-ion batteries cannot enter into Chinese market without a CCC certificate. Some manufacturers are preparing for GB 31241-2022 testing and certification. As there are many changes not only on testing details, but also requirements on labels and application documents, MCM has got a lot of relative inquiry. We pick up some important Q&A for your reference.The change on label requirement is one of the most focused issues. Compared to 2014 version, the new one added that battery labels should be marked with rated energy, rated voltage, manufacturing factory and production date (or lot number).The main reason of marking energy is because of UN 38.3, in which the rated energy will be considered for transport safety. Normally energy is calculated by rated voltage * rated capacity. You may mark as real situation, or round the number up. But it’s not allowed to round down the number. It is because in the regulation on transport, the products are categorized into different dangerous level by energy, like 20Wh and 100Wh. If the energy figure is rounded down, it may cause danger.E.g. Rated voltage: 3.7V, rated capacity 4500mAh. The rated energy equals 3.7V * 4.5Ah = 16.65Wh.The rated energy is allowed to label as 16.65Wh, 16.7Wh or 17Wh.
Adding production date is for traceability when products get into market. As lithium-ion batteries are mandatory for CCC certification, there will be market surveillance for these products. Once there are unqualified products, they need to be recalled. The production date can help to trace the lots involved. If manufacturer do not mark production date, or mark blurrily, there will be risk that all your products will be required to recall.
There is no specified template for the date. You may mark in year/month/date, or year/month, or even just mark the lot code. But in the spec there should be an explanation about the lot code, and that code shall contain information of production date. Please be noted if you mark with lot code, then there should not be repetition in 10 years.
