CCC: Certification of toys for the Chinese market
7. April 2014The catalogue of mandatory CCC certification (China Compulsory Certification) for products intended for the Chinese market is extensive and includes a broad spectrum of product groups. Automotive parts, IT products, cables and technical devices all require CCC, and so do toys.
Products that need CCC must have the certification before they can be legally imported, traded, used or sold in China.
When determining the need for CCC of toys, age appropriate guidelines typically mandate the need. If a toy is deemed suitable for ages below 14 years of age, then it is very likely that CCC will be required. Nearly every toy that is intended for children under the age of 14 will require certification. Every toy of every type of construction (plastic, metal, wood, fabric, plush, electronic, etc.), regardless of where it is made (Europe, Japan, U.S., China, etc.), will need CCC certification if it is to be legally imported, traded, used or sold in China.
The need for CCC certification is dictated by the Implementation Rules, whereas the required tests are prescribed by the corresponding GB Standards (GB stands for Guobiao, Chinese for “National Standard”). For example, GB Standard 6675-2003 (National Safety Technical Standard for Toys) would directly correspond with Implementation Rule CNCA-13C-070:2006 for the certification of plastic toys. The Implementation rules will define the scope for product testing, as well as the overall process that will need to be completed before CCC certification can be issued.
Applications for the CCC certification of toys are handled by the CQC (China Quality Certification Centre). It is important that the manufacturer complete the application carefully and submit it along with any relevant documents to the CQC. Once accepted, the certifying authority will issue a factory code and a “test sample request.” The test samples will need to be sent to a CNCA (The Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China) accredited test laboratory in China for testing. The tests are made to ensure that the product is safe for the appropriate age group (under 14 years of age).
If the toy passes the product testing, a CCC certificate will be issued. Once issued, a marking permission needs to be obtained for the manufacturer to mark the toy or its packaging with the CCC logo. For the CCC marking of toys there is a separate GB standard, GB 5296.5-1996 (Labeling and Instructions for Toys) that must be followed.
It is important to consider this standard to avoid problems and delays with the importation of product to China. Products that are incorrectly labeled will be found non-compliant and detained by customs.
After receipt of the CCC certificate, the manufacturer will be required to host a factory inspection. This must be done within six months after the issue of CCC certificate. The CCC certification process of toys differs in this aspect to the certification of other products, where a factory inspection happens prior to the issuance of the CCC certificate. This “follow-up inspection” will usually take two days, and will be done by CQC auditors from China.
If the inspection is not done, the CCC certificate and marking permission will be withdrawn.
Information regarding CCC certification, the certification process and the costs can be found on our website. You will also find details regarding our certification package can be found on our website including a general anticipated time frame. Take a look at our references section for a list of some of our clients and what they are saying about us. For more detailed information please download our free booklet “CCC Made Easy” here. You may also consider our book “A Brief Guide to CCC: China Compulsory Certification”, which can be ordered directly on Amazon here.
Please do not hesitate to call or email with any questions you may have.
