What is the IECEE CB Scheme for Products?
Struggling to sell your electronic products in different countries?
The endless loop of local safety testing for each market costs you time and money, delaying your global launch.
The IECEE CB Scheme is an international system for the mutual acceptance of product safety test reports and certificates.
It allows a manufacturer to get their electrical and electronic products certified once to access over 50 member countries, simplifying global market entry.
This system is the key to streamlining your path to international markets.
Keep reading to learn how the CB Scheme can save you resources, get your products to customers faster, and simplify your entire certification process.
What is a CB Certificate and Why Do You Need It?
Are you tired of repeating expensive product tests for every new country you enter?
This duplication of effort creates huge costs and delays, preventing your business from growing internationally.
A CB Test Certificate is proof that your product was successfully tested by an authorized laboratory.
This certificate and its accompanying test report are mutually recognized by over 50 participating countries, forming the foundation for obtaining national safety certifications without re-testing.
The full name of the CB Scheme is the “IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE)”.
It was created by the International Electrotechnical Commission for Electrical Equipment (IECEE) to make global trade easier.
The main goal is to promote the harmonization of national standards with international IEC Standards.
This cooperation brings manufacturers closer to the ideal of “one product, one test, one mark, where applicable”.
It is important to understand what a CB Certificate is not.
The CB Scheme does not have its own separate certification mark that you can put on a product.
Instead, the CB Certificate and Test Report act as a passport.
You take this passport to a National Certification Body (NCB) in a member country, and they can grant you their national certification mark with minimal, if any, additional testing.
This is the core benefit of the scheme.
The Major Advantages for Manufacturers
Using the CB Scheme offers several clear benefits for businesses looking to sell their products worldwide.
- Saves Money: The biggest advantage is avoiding expensive multiple tests for different markets. By testing your product once, you eliminate the costs associated with repetitive testing procedures in each country.
- Saves Time: Because you don’t have to re-test, the time it takes to get national certifications is much shorter. This allows you to access global markets and get your products to customers more quickly.
- Reduces Samples Needed: Testing for multiple certifications often requires you to provide many product samples. The CB Scheme reduces the number of test samples you need to submit, saving you inventory and manufacturing costs.
- Simplified Market Access: The scheme provides a straightforward way to obtain a variety of national and international safety certifications. With a single CB Test Certificate, you gain access to the markets of all member countries. This makes it much easier for manufacturers to place their products on the international market.
Essentially, the CB Certificate is a tool that opens doors to global trade for electrical and electronic products.
How Does the CB Scheme Certification Process Work?
Feeling lost in the complex web of global certification requirements?
The path to getting your product approved in multiple countries can seem confusing, difficult, and full of unknown steps.
The CB Scheme follows a clear, four-step process.
First, you apply to a National Certification Body (NCB).
Next, the NCB has your product tested at a CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL).
Then, you receive a CB Test Certificate and Report.
Finally, you use these documents to get national certification in other countries.
The CB certification process is designed to be systematic and efficient.
It relies on a network of trusted organizations around the world to ensure that a single set of tests is accepted everywhere within the scheme.
It is important to know that you cannot get a CB Certificate with a self-declaration of conformity; an independent, third-party test is required.
Let’s break down each step in more detail.
Step 1: Application to a National Certification Body (NCB)
The process begins when a manufacturer applies to any participating National Certification Body (NCB) for a CB Test Certificate.
An NCB is an organization that the IECEE has approved to operate the CB scheme within a country.
When you apply, you must provide all necessary technical documents for your product.
You also have to list all of the factory locations where the product will be manufactured.
Step 2: Product Testing at a CBTL
After you apply, the NCB will work with an associated CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL) to perform the required tests.
These labs are qualified to test products to determine if they conform with the globally harmonized IEC standards.
You must provide a sample of your product for this testing.
In some cases, if you have a testing facility at your manufacturing site, an authorized CB Testing Engineer can perform or witness the tests there.
Step 3: Issuing the CB Test Certificate and Report
Once the CBTL completes its evaluation, it prepares a detailed test report.
If the product is in full compliance with the relevant standards, the NCB will issue a CB Test Certificate and the CB Test Report to you, the applicant.
These two documents are linked and are essential for the next step.
Step 4: Obtaining National Certifications
With your CB Test Certificate and Report, you can now approach the NCBs in other member countries where you want to sell your product.
You present these documents to them as proof that your product already meets international safety standards.
The recognizing NCB will then grant its national certification with minimal or no re-testing, which greatly simplifies the process.
You just need to tell your original NCB which countries you plan to enter so they can help prepare the necessary documentation.
CB Scheme vs. CE Marking: What’s the Real Difference?
Confused by all the certification acronyms?
Terms like CB and CE sound similar, but using them incorrectly can lead to major compliance issues and blocked market access.
The main difference is geography and function.
The CB Scheme is a truly international system for over 50 countries that helps you get multiple national certifications.
CE marking, on the other hand, is a declaration specifically for showing a product meets safety standards within the European Union (EU).
While both the CB Scheme and CE marking relate to product safety, they operate in fundamentally different ways and serve different purposes.
Understanding these differences is critical for any manufacturer planning to sell electrical or electronic products.
A CB Certificate is not the same as a CE mark, but it can be used to support the technical file for a CE declaration.
| Feature | IECEE CB Scheme | CE Marking |
| Geographic Scope | International, with over 50 member countries worldwide including the USA, China, Japan, and others. | Primarily used for market access to the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area. |
| What It Is | A mutual acceptance system for test reports and certificates. It is a product certification that shows your product meets specific international safety standards. | A marking that indicates a product meets the EU’s electrical safety, health, and environmental protection standards. It is a marking certification, not a test certificate. |
| How It’s Obtained | Requires testing by an authorized third-party National Certification Body (NCB) and its CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL). Self-declaration is not allowed. | Often based on a manufacturer’s self-declaration of conformity, though some products require third-party assessment. |
| Visual Mark | There is no separate CB mark to put on a product. The output is a certificate and a test report. | Has its own distinct “CE” logo that must be placed on the product. |
| Legal Status | The scheme itself is generally voluntary, not legally mandatory unless required by a specific government or industry. It facilitates obtaining mandatory national marks. | CE marking is mandatory for most products covered by EU directives that are sold within the EU. |
Key Takeaways from the Comparison
If your business goal is to sell products in many countries around the world, you will need to engage with the CB Scheme.
It provides the foundation for efficient access to global markets.
If you only plan to sell goods in Europe, then CE marking is your primary focus.
The CB Scheme can still be helpful, as a CB Test Report can be used as a basis to show compliance with the European standards needed for CE marking, especially under the Low Voltage Directive (LVD).
The two systems are not mutually exclusive; they are different tools for different regulatory landscapes.
What Products and Countries Are Covered by the CB Scheme?
Is your specific product eligible for the CB Scheme?
You might worry that this process only applies to a narrow range of items or that your target countries aren’t included.
The CB Scheme is very broad.
It covers many categories of electrical and electronic products, from household appliances and IT equipment to medical devices and batteries.
It is also recognized in over 50 countries across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and Australia.
The strength of the CB Scheme comes from its wide scope, both in terms of the products it covers and its global reach.
This makes it a highly valuable program for manufacturers of almost any electrical or electronic device.
However, a key part of using the scheme effectively is understanding the concept of “national deviations.”
Covered Product Categories
The scheme is comprehensive, covering dozens of product categories.
While the exact number of categories may evolve, the scope is designed to include most common types of electrotechnical equipment.
Some of the major product groups include:
- Household Appliances (HOUS): Products used in the home like vacuums, kitchen appliances, and more.
- Information Technology and Audio/Video (ITAV): This includes computers, communication technology, and entertainment electronics.
- Medical Equipment (MED): The scheme is very useful for exporting medical electrical devices, which have complex approval requirements.
- Lighting (LITE): Includes luminaires and other lighting equipment.
- Batteries (BATT): Covers various types of batteries and power sources.
- Cables and Cords (CABL): Wires and cords used to power electrical equipment.
- Tools (TOOL): Portable and stationary power tools.
The scheme also includes many other categories like switches, capacitors, and safety transformers.
Participating Countries
The CB Scheme is a truly global program.
More than 50 countries currently participate as members.
This allows manufacturers to use one certification process to access markets on nearly every continent.
Examples of member countries include:
- Americas: USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina
- Europe: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Austria, Sweden, Belarus
- Asia: China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain
- Africa & Oceania: Australia, South Africa, Kenya
Understanding National Deviations
While the CB Scheme is based on harmonized international IEC standards, some countries have specific national differences in their technical requirements.
These are known as national deviations.
For example, a country might have different rules for plug types, voltage, or specific safety warnings.
These national deviations must be evaluated to get final approval in that country.
This can be done by the NCB in the target country.
However, the best practice is to have the original NCB and CBTL that issue your CB Certificate also test for the national deviations of all your target countries at the same time.
The more markets you plan to enter, the more national deviations you will need to consider, which can affect the timeline.
Addressing these deviations upfront prevents delays, the need for additional test samples, and possible extra testing later on.
Conclusion
The IECEE CB Scheme simplifies global trade for electronic products.
It saves manufacturers time and money by using one test to access over 50 countries worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full form of the CB Scheme?
The official name is the “IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components,” which is often shortened to IECEE.
“CB” refers to Certification Body.
Who can issue a CB Test Certificate?
Only a National Certification Body (NCB) that is recognized within the IECEE CB Scheme can issue a CB Test Certificate after successful product testing by a CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL).
Is CB certification mandatory?
No, CB certification is generally not legally mandatory.
It is a voluntary international scheme that facilitates obtaining the mandatory national safety certifications required by different countries.
Does the CB Scheme have its own certification mark?
No, the CB Scheme does not have its own separate CB mark that can be placed on a product.
The scheme provides a CB Test Certificate and Report, which are then used to obtain national marks.
Can a CB Certificate be used for medical devices?
Yes, the CB Scheme is often used for medical electrical devices.
It helps manufacturers of these complex products navigate the different regulatory requirements of international markets like the USA and Asia.
What is the difference between IEC and IECEE?
IEC stands for the International Electrotechnical Commission, which develops and publishes international standards.
The IECEE is the part of the IEC that operates conformity assessment systems, including the CB Scheme.
What are the main benefits of the CB Scheme?
The main benefits are saving time and money by avoiding multiple product tests.
It provides a simplified way to obtain multiple national certifications, allowing for faster access to global markets.
