CB Scheme (IECEE)

The CB Scheme is the world's first truly international system for the mutual acceptance of product safety test reports. Managed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it streamlines the path to local certification.

• Global Reach: Recognized by major economies including USA, EU, China, and Japan.

• Uniform Standards: Based on harmonized IEC International Standards.

• Operational Efficiency: Eliminates redundant testing across jurisdictions.

• Risk Mitigation: Ensures high-level product safety and consumer protection.

Always send both to the body in the target country.

CB test certificates are published in the IECEE online certificates database on iecee.org. Search by the certificate number, the holder or the manufacturer, and check that the standard edition, models and ratings match the product you are buying or certifying. A certificate missing from the database, or with different details, should be confirmed with the issuing NCB.

A CB certificate is evidence that a product passed tests to an IEC standard. CE marking is a legal declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets EU law. They are often linked: a CB report that includes the European group differences is commonly used as test evidence for the Low Voltage Directive. But CE also needs EMC, RoHS, a technical file and a Declaration of Conformity, which a CB report does not cover. See CE certification.

• EU (CE) and Great Britain (UKCA): used as safety test evidence in the technical file. See UKCA certification.

• Gulf, Africa and Asia: many national schemes accept or require a CB report for safety approval, sometimes with local tests for plugs, voltage or climate.

• USA and Canada: certification bodies can use CB results to reduce testing for their own marks.

• India: BIS registration generally still needs testing at a BIS-recognised lab in India, but a CB report against IS/IEC 62368-1 or a similar standard reduces design surprises.

The CB Scheme is the world’s first truly international system for the mutual acceptance of product safety test reports. Managed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it streamlines the path to local certification.

• Global Reach: Recognized by major economies including the USA, EU, China, and Japan.

• Uniform Standards: Based on harmonized IEC International Standards.

• Operational Efficiency: Eliminates redundant testing across different jurisdictions.

• Risk Mitigation: Ensures high-level product safety and consumer protection.

In the modern supply chain, time-to-market is everything. Without a CB Certificate, a manufacturer must apply separately to every national body, often shipping samples to labs worldwide and paying for identical tests multiple times.

The CB Scheme is required because it provides legal and commercial certainty. It acts as a "technical passport," significantly reducing the barriers to entry for international trade. If you intend to scale your brand beyond a single border, this isn't just an option—it’s your most vital logistics tool.

In the modern supply chain, time-to-market is everything. Without a CB Certificate, a manufacturer must apply separately to every national body.

The CB Scheme is required because it provides legal and commercial certainty. It acts as a 'technical passport,' significantly reducing barriers to entry for international trade.

The CB Scheme is run by the IECEE, the IEC’s system for conformity assessment of electrical equipment. Member countries agree to accept each other’s test results to IEC standards, so a product tested once by a CB Testing Laboratory and certified by a National Certification Body can use that report to get national approvals elsewhere, often without full retesting. Our guide CB test certificate and the IECEE CB Scheme explained covers it in more detail.

To initiate the process, you must provide a comprehensive technical file. Based on my experience, organized documentation is the difference between a 4-week and a 4-month approval.

• Technical Specifications: Detailed datasheets and user manuals.

• Circuit Diagrams: Schematics, PCB layouts, and wiring diagrams.

• Bill of Materials (BOM): A list of all critical components (many must be pre-certified).

• Product Photos: Internal and external high-resolution images.

• Trademark/Brand Info: Legal documentation of the brand owner.

• Sample Units: Physically representative units for destructive and non-destructive testing.

The journey from lab to market follows a structured five-step path:

1. Selection: Choose an accredited NCB (National Certification Body) and a CBTL (CB Testing Laboratory).

2. Submission: Submit the application form along with the technical dossier mentioned above.

3. Type Testing: The lab subjects the product to rigorous testing against the relevant IEC standard.

4. Reporting: Upon success, the lab issues a CB Test Report detailing every test result.

5. Issuance: The NCB reviews the report and issues the CB Test Certificate, registering it in the global database.

Timeline variability is usually dictated by the complexity of the product and the readiness of the manufacturer.

• Standard Products: Typically 4 to 8 weeks from the time samples arrive at the lab.

• Complex/New Technologies: May take 10 to 14 weeks if additional safety evaluations are required.

• Expedited Paths: Some NCBs offer "Fast-track" services if all components used are already IEC-certified.

The scheme is comprehensive, covering virtually everything that plugs in or uses a battery. Key categories include:

• IT & Office Equipment: Laptops, servers, and peripherals.

• Electronics & Entertainment: Televisions and audio systems.

• Household Appliances: Kitchen electronics, HVAC, and laundry units.

• Medical Devices: Diagnostic equipment and therapeutic tools.

• Lighting: LED drivers, luminaires, and smart lighting systems.

• Batteries & Photovoltaics: Lithium-ion cells and solar components.

• Electric Vehicle Components: Charging stations and onboard chargers.

Certification is an investment in market expansion. Costs are generally broken down into:

• Administrative Fees: Paid to the NCB for certificate issuance and registration.

• Laboratory Testing Fees: The bulk of the cost, covering engineering hours and equipment use.

• Sample Handling: Shipping and customs duties for international labs.

• National Deviations: Small additional fees if you need testing for specific country-specific requirements (e.g., specific plug types or voltages).

The CB Certificate itself does not technically "expire" as long as the product design and the underlying IEC standard remain unchanged. However, there are nuances:

• Standard Updates: If the IEC releases a "New Edition" of a safety standard, you must usually re-test or bridge the gap to the new version within a specific transition period (usually 3 years).

• Product Modifications: Any change to critical components (like a power supply) requires a Technical Amendment to the report.

• Market-Specific Rules: While the CB report is valid, the national marks you obtain using it (like the GS mark) may require annual factory inspections or renewals.