CB Scheme

Obtain access with your electrical products to the International Market 

CB Scheme
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CB certification: Obtain access to the International market

To be able to access International markets, the Certification Body (CB) scheme was developed. It was created by the International Electrotechnical Commission for Electrical Equipment (IECEE) to help manufacturers streamline the process of obtaining national safety certifications for their products in different markets. This is an international scheme for mutual acceptance of test reports and certificates covering the safety of electrical and electronic equipment, devices and components. 

What is CB certification?

CB is an abbreviation for Certification Body. A CB certification is considered to be the equivalent of the CE mark which is used in the European Union. CB Scheme is certified by IECEE (international committee for electrical and electrotechnical equipment). Herein, they offer certification for electrical and electronic equipment, devices and components. 

CB certification, meaning under the CB Scheme, indicates that your product is certified for multiple international markets, and in the process this also eliminates the need for duplicate certifications. However, the CB certification is not legally mandatory, unless legislated by the government or mandated by industry or trade associations. 

Contrary to the CE marking, the CB scheme does not have its own separate CB mark. However, CB certification provides the opportunity to obtain conformity markings valid in participating countries worldwide.

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Which products need a CB Certification?

There are 17 categories of electrical products covered by the CB Scheme, which include:

  • Batteries
  • Cables and Cords
  • Capacitors as components
  • Switches for appliances and automatic controls for electrical household appliances
  • Household and similar equipment
  • Hazardous Substances Testing Service
  • Installation accessories and connection devices
  • Luminaires
  • Measurement, Control and Laboratory equipment
  • Electrical equipment for medical use
  • IT and office equipment
  • Low voltage, high power switching equipment
  • Installation protective equipment
  • Photovoltaics
  • Safety transformers and similar equipment
  • Portable tools
  • Electric Toys & Electronic Equipment

There is also another category, in which the products fall under the term ‘miscellaneous’. These products are:

  • Railway equipment
  • Instrumentation for nuclear power plants
  • Heating cables
  • Lasers
  • Radiation protection
  • Insulated tools
  • Fixed inductors for electromagnetic interference suppression

How can you obtain a CB certificate?

CB certificate meaning a certificate that confirms compliance with CB standards. In order to obtain such a CB certificate, a National Certification Body (NCB) must approve an independent third-party test assessment. A NCB is an organisation that has been granted permission to operate the Certification Bodies (CBs) scheme within their country. Through an NCB appointed Certification Body Test Laboratory (CBTL), this can be achieved. In the case you have a testing facility at your manufacturing site, an authorised CB Testing Engineer known as a Local Technical Representative (LTR) can perform or witness your product testing. This means that you cannot obtain a CB certificate with a self-declaration of conformity.

Additionally, each participating country has one or more organisations that are accepted by the IECEE as National Certification Bodies (NCBs), which can carry out the necessary CB certification testing.

Contrary to the CE marking, the CB scheme does not have its own separate CB mark or CB certification mark. However, CB certification provides the opportunity to obtain conformity markings valid in participating countries worldwide.

CB Certification Countries include:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • Korea, Rep. of
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Pakistan
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russian Federation
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia Rep. of
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vietnam

National Deviations

CB scheme can be used as a base for certifying electrical and electronic equipment, devices and components, however certain countries have national differences. This means that the compliance process is different. These national differences may therefore be evaluated either by the National Certification Body (NCB) and Certification Body Test Laboratory (CBTL) issuing the CB Test Certificate and Test Reports, or by the recognizing NCB, to whom the CB Test Certificate and Test Reports are presented with national certification. CB scheme does not have its own separate CB mark. In order to prevent possible additional testing as well as required additional test samples that the applicant requests, country deviations must be addressed by the original issuing NCB and CBTL.

What Certification Experts can offer?

Certification Experts can guide manufacturers through the CB scheme. Our services encompass comprehensive support in obtaining CB certification for electrical and electronic equipment, devices, and components. Our experienced team of experts assists manufacturers throughout the entire certification process, collaborating closely to ensure that products meet the required CB standards. From initial advice to application submissions and obtaining the final certificate, we strive to provide a smooth and efficient certification experience for our clients.

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Frequently asked questions

All the answers you might need!

The time required to obtain CB Scheme certification varies based on factors like product complexity, certification body efficiency, and documentation completeness. The process typically involves application submission, evaluation, testing, possible factory inspection, and certification decision. The specific timeline depends on the chosen certification body and any expedited services offered.

In order to obtain a CB certification, it is also important to consider what product you want to bring onto the market and how many different international markets you want to bring your product onto. This is because the more markets you want to enter the more national deviations you will need to consider, the more time is will take.

It is recommended to consult with your consultant (such as Certification Experts), the selected certification body for accurate information on the certification timeline.

CB VS CE certification: Unlike the CE mark, the CB scheme does not have its own independent mark. In CB certification, internationally recognized standards and test reports are used, but no specific CB mark is assigned to the product. However, CB certification facilitates the application for national certifications in CB scheme member countries. The CE mark, on the other hand, is specific to the European Union and indicates compliance with regulations applicable there.

CB is an abbreviation for Certification Body. CB Certification refers to the CB scheme. The CB scheme is the world’s first international system for the mutual acceptance of product safety test reports and certificates for electrical and electronic equipment, devices, and components. This is a certification that allows you to gain access for the trade of your product in international markets.

The CB scheme is the world’s first international system for the mutual acceptance of product safety test reports and certificates for electrical and electronic equipment, devices and components. Based on the use of internationally accepted product standards, the CB scheme relies on a global network of CB testing laboratories. Product test results are then submitted to national certification bodies in CB scheme member countries. This means that CB test report allows manufacturers to apply faster for the respective national certification marks for various target markets.

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Markus Solbach Director Sales & Marketing
Certification Experts offers great service with high flexibility and a fast response time. Their technical understanding and detailed feedback to our complex test solution in a short timeframe is impressive!

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Kurt Spiegel Vice President of Engineering
Certification Experts has been our partner for over 10 years and the relationship is outstanding. They’ve completed CE Marking, UKCA Marking, and act as our Authorized Representative. The face-to-face meetings are really important and save us a lot of time!

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Collaboration with the Certification team has been very helpful, professional, fast and flexible. It is always good to have a partner at hand who can help with profound expertise whenever required. We look forward to collaborating for our future endeavors!

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Melanie Ter Meulen Trade Comissioner
Certification Experts is a valuable partner to us. The collaboration runs smooth and if Dutch companies require specific technical information, Certification Experts is able to provide this.

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