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.
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.
There are 17 categories of electrical products covered by the CB Scheme, which include:
There is also another category, in which the products fall under the term ‘miscellaneous’. These products are:
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 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.
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.
