China electric bicycle certification has new CCC rules to adhere to, as per official announcement (No.18-2023) from the Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) on September 14, 2023. As of the date of announcement, the new CNCA-C11-16: 2023 Detailed Implementation Rules for China Compulsory Certification for Electric Bicycles came into effect, replacing the previous 2021 version.
On October 13, 2023, the China Certification Center for Automotive Products (CCAP) also announced their own CCAP-C11-16: 2023 Detailed Implementation Rules for China Compulsory Certification for Electric Bicycles in accordance with CNCA’s to address the requirements for new applications, transition for existing certificates.
New application requirements for China electric bicycle certification
Starting from September 22, 2023, entities seeking electric bicycle certification must follow the 2023 version of the rules and guidelines, with CCAP and China Quality Certification Centre (CQC) conducting certification assessments and issuing certificates accordingly.
Applicants are required to submit detailed documentation, including production enterprise qualification documents, company profiles, and product information that aligns with Appendix 3 of the CNCA-C11-16: 2023 Structure and Technical Parameters of Electric Bicycle Products.
New requirements have also been introduced for CCC certificates and logos, including the full adoption of electronic certificates.
Type testing reference standards
According to the latest CNCA and CCAP rules, electric bicycle type testing should be carried out as specified in the following GB standards:
- GB 17761-2018 Safety technical specification for electric bicycle
- GB 42295-2022 Safety requirements for electric bicycles electrical
- GB 42296-2022 Safety technical requirements of charger for electric bicycles
On October 18, 2023, China’s CQC also published a notice to clarify the arrangement details for replacing the GB 14023 reference standard in GB 17761-2018. Officially released on October 12, 2022, GB 14023-2022 Vehicles, boats and internal combustion engines—Radio disturbance characteristics—Limits and methods of measurement for the protection of off-board receivers will come into effect on November 1, 2023, to replace GB 14023-2011. Electric bicycle products certified under GB 14023-2011 will be given a 12-month window to obtain new certification under the latest GB 14023-2022 standard.
Exemption for certain type testing items
Applicants may submit proof materials for radio disturbance characteristics, product qualification certificates, user manuals, lead-acid battery packs, and lithium-ion battery packs to exempt corresponding type testing items.
Transition for Existing Certificates
Certificates issued under the 2021 rules will remain valid, and the transition process will occur naturally through certificate expiration, product changes, or standard updates. As certificate conversions should be completed by November 1, 2024, certificates that are not converted by the deadline will be temporarily suspended. Certificates that have not undergone the transition process by February 1, 2025, will be revoked.
Further information
As China continues to promote product safety and quality through stringent certification requirements, it is crucial for all stakeholders in the electric bicycle industry to keep up with the regulatory changes and ensure compliance. Consulting with regulatory affairs experts, such as Cisema, will be instrumental in navigating this evolving landscape.
