China electric bicycle charger and Lithium-ion battery CCC Certification rules were released by the National Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) on July 29, 2024, to strengthen quality and safety supervision of electric bicycles. They will come into effect on October 15, 2024.
Requirements for the implementation of Electric Bicycle charger and Lithium-ion battery CCC Certification
Implementation of CCC Certification for Lithium-ion Batteries:
- As of October 15, 2024, designated Certification Bodies will begin accepting applications for China Compulsory Certification (CCC) for lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles and electric bicycles with chargers. The certification process will follow the mandatory product certification implementation rules and applicable standards.
- Certification Bodies (CB) are encouraged to utilize existing conformity assessment results to control certification risks and ensure quality. This approach aims to reduce the burden on enterprises and facilitate the certification process.
Mandatory Certification Requirement Starting November 1, 2025:
- From November 1, 2025, all lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles and electric bicycles with chargers must have CCC certification and display the CCC certification mark before they can be manufactured, sold, imported, or used in China.
Designation of Certification Bodies and Testing Laboratories:
- The CCC certification process and testing for lithium-ion batteries and chargers for electric bicycles will be handled by separately designated Certification Bodies and testing laboratories.
CCC Implementation rules for Electric Bicycle Chargers – CNCA-C11-22：2024
- Scope of Application:
- These rules apply to chargers for electric bicycles in accordance with the GB 17761 standard.
- Certification Standards:
- Certification is based on the GB 42296 standard, which outlines the safety technical requirements for electric bicycle chargers. The latest version of the standard, as issued by the national standardization administrative department, is typically used for certification.
- Certification Model:
- The certification process follows a basic model that includes type testing, quality assurance, product consistency inspection (initial factory inspection), and post-certification supervision.
- Post-certification supervision involves tracking, testing, or inspecting samples from production sites, market samples, or a combination of these methods. Certification Bodies are required to classify production enterprises and determine the appropriate certification mode based on this classification.
- Maintenance of Certification:
- Certification Validity: Certification is valid for 5 years. To maintain validity, post-certification supervision by the Certification Body is required. If certification needs to be extended beyond 5 years, the principal must submit a request within 90 days before the certificate expires. If the latest supervision evaluation is successful, a new certificate will be issued directly.
- Changes/Extension of Certification: If changes to the certificate, product characteristics, or other relevant aspects occur, or if the scope of products needs to be extended, the principal must submit a request for change or extension to the Certification Body. Changes or extensions are subject to approval and must meet the requirements specified by the C B, including risk control measures, documentation, testing, and evaluation. The CB will issue an updated certificate indicating the version number of the change or extension.
CCC Implementation rules for Electric Bicycle Lithium-ion Batteries – CNCA-C11-21：2024
- Scope of Application:
- These rules apply to lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles, including both single batteries and battery packs, in accordance with the GB 17761 standard.
- Certification Standards:
- Certification is based on the GB 43854 standard, which outlines the safety specifications for lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles. The specific standards and type test items required for certification are detailed in the original announcement Annex 1 of the rules.
- Certification Model:
- The mandatory certification process includes type testing, quality assurance, product consistency inspection (initial factory inspection), and post-certification supervision.
- Post-certification supervision can involve tracking and inspection, testing or inspecting samples from production sites, or market sampling, conducted either individually or in combination.
- Certification Units Segmentation:
- Products from different producers or manufacturers are treated as separate certification units.
- Single-cell Batteries: Certification units are determined based on factors such as materials (positive/negative materials, diaphragm, electrolyte), safety design, shape and size, assembly method (winding, stacking), nominal voltage, and rated capacity (with a 20% downward coverage).
- Battery Packs: Certification units are defined by factors like nominal voltage, rated capacity (with a 20% downward coverage), configuration (series/parallel connection of cells), and protection circuit design.
- Battery packs under a Charging Mutual Recognition Cooperative Agreement are divided into different certification units.
Type Test Items:
- All applicable test items as stipulated in the GB 43854 standard must be conducted during the type test. Certification Bodies, in coordination with laboratories, will confirm the specific test items based on the product’s structure and technical parameters as specified by the client.
Impact for Electric Bicycle Manufacturers
- Increased Compliance Requirements:
- Manufacturers will need to ensure that their lithium-ion batteries and chargers meet the stringent safety standards specified in GB 43854 and GB 42296. This includes mandatory type testing, quality assurance processes, and product consistency inspections.
- Certification Process Costs and Time:
- The need to obtain CCC certification for each product unit, including single-cell batteries and battery packs, could increase both the financial burden and time required to bring products to market. The certification process involves type testing, initial factory inspections, and ongoing post-certification supervision, which can be resource-intensive.
- Product Design Adjustments:
- Manufacturers may need to make design changes to their products to comply with certification standards. This could include modifications to the materials, safety design, assembly methods, and protection circuits to ensure they meet the certification criteria.
- Market Entry Restrictions:
- Products that do not have CCC certification by the deadlines (e.g., November 1, 2025, for lithium-ion batteries and chargers) cannot be legally manufactured, sold, imported, or used in business activities in China. This places pressure on manufacturers to achieve certification in a timely manner to avoid market exclusion.
- Ongoing Compliance and Recertification:
- Manufacturers will need to maintain compliance with certification standards over time, including undergoing post-certification supervision. This could involve regular testing, inspections, and potentially recertification if changes are made to the product or if the certification expires after five years.
- Risk of Delays and Non-compliance Penalties:
- Delays in obtaining certification or failure to comply with the certification requirements could lead to penalties, product recalls, or bans from the market. Manufacturers must manage these risks carefully to avoid disruptions to their business operations.
Further information
Read the original announcement on China electric bicycle charger and Lithium-ion battery CCC Certification implementation Rules
Read our previous article on China Electric Bicycle Battery Certification CCAP Rules Revised.
Discover our services for China Compulsory Certification or contact Cisema if you would like to learn more about CCC.
GET IN TOUCH
