Friends who do cross-border business of charging products have most likely heard of the CB report: if you want to enter the EU, the US, and Japan at the same time, doing three sets of certifications separately will cost a lot and take a long time. I heard that using a CB report for certification conversion can save money and speed up the process?
But many people have also fallen into pitfalls: they spent tens of thousands of yuan on a CB report, but when they applied for US NRTL certification, it was rejected due to mismatched standard versions; or they thought that with a CB report they could sell directly worldwide, only to have their goods detained by customs upon arrival at the port, citing missing local compliance documents or marks.
This guide starts from the most basic concepts, and covers practical scenarios for mainstream charging products such as chargers, power adapters, USB-C charging cables, and charging connectors, so that you can complete feasibility self-checks on your own, prepare application materials, avoid common pitfalls, and even estimate the approximate cost and cycle.
First, let’s set a core principle in stone: **A CB report is not a global market access license.** The target market still needs to complete applicable conformity assessment, technical documentation, declaration and other requirements in accordance with local regulations; whether a third-party body is required and the specific compliance mark depend on the product category and local regulations. A CB report can only serve as part of the technical basis for safety compliance, and cannot automatically replace local requirements such as CE, UKCA, PSE, and NRTL.
1. First, Understand What CB Really Is: Not a Global Pass, But a Mutually Recognized “Safety Exam Transcript”
The full name of the CB system is the IECEE CB System, operated by the International Electrotechnical Commission Conformity Assessment Board for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE). Simply put, it is a mutual recognition system for electrotechnical product safety testing participated by multiple countries and regions: participants usually adopt the IEC series of basic safety standards, accredited laboratories (called CBTLs, CB Testing Laboratories) are responsible for testing, and national certification bodies of member countries (called NCBs, National Certification Bodies) are responsible for issuing CB certificates.
Here are a few easily confused concepts that need to be clarified:
• **CB Test Report**: It is a test result document issued by a CBTL, which contains test data, product information, list of key components, etc. It is an important material for subsequent compliance applications in other markets, but it is not a market access permit in itself.
• **CB Certificate**: It is a certificate issued by an NCB based on the CB test report, used to prove that the report is a compliance document under the CB system. Having only the certificate without the complete report usually cannot complete the subsequent review.
• **CB Certification Conversion**: It is not “directly exchanging a CB certificate for a local certificate”, but submitting an application or technical materials to the target market with the CB report and certificate. The target market may reuse part of the safety test results, but still needs to complete corresponding certification, assessment, self-declaration, registration, or economic operator obligations in accordance with local regulations.
Therefore, the correct understanding of CB is: **It helps different markets reuse part of the basic safety test data, but it is not equivalent to a global pass.**
Why Do Everyone Use CB for Multi-Country Compliance? The Core Is Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement
For charging products, the value of CB is mainly reflected in three aspects.
First, **reduce repeated testing investment**. If multiple target markets accept the corresponding CB safety test results, the applicant can reuse part of the basic safety data, without having to prepare similar tests from scratch in each market. However, the final amount of reuse depends on the regulatory path of the target market, standard version, national differences, product consistency, and certification body policies.
Second, **improve application efficiency**. When the CB report is complete, the standards match, and the product has not changed, the target body can conduct document review based on existing materials, reducing repeated testing. However, some markets still require local difference assessment, sample verification, factory inspection, registration, or other compliance procedures, and CB may not significantly shorten the cycle of all projects.
Third, **reduce repeated preparation of materials**. A complete set of CB reports and technical materials may be used for applications in multiple markets. However, different markets have different requirements for language, labels, responsible entities, EMC, energy efficiency, and environmental protection materials, so it cannot be understood that all documents can be resubmitted unchanged.
A unified ratio cannot be applied to costs and cycles. Whether CB can save costs and how much time it can save should be evaluated and quoted by the specific body, taking into account the target country, standard version, national differences, product consistency, body policies, factory audit, and registration requirements.
Which Products and Scenarios Are Suitable for CB? Don’t Guess by Interface, Judge by Actual Category
Many people get a USB-C product and default that it can be used for CB certification conversion – this is the second common misconception: whether CB can be used cannot be judged only by the interface name, but must first determine the actual category, function, and applicable standards of the product.
First, let’s look at common charging products:
1. **AC-input chargers and power adapters**: For example, mobile phone fast chargers and laptop power adapters usually need to be evaluated in accordance with applicable safety standards for audio/video and information technology equipment. Common standards include IEC 62368-1, but the final decision shall be subject to product classification and target market requirements.
2. **Battery-powered charging products**: For example, power banks with built-in cables and wireless charging products with batteries need to confirm which standards apply to the whole machine, the battery, and the wireless charging function respectively, and whether these standards are part of the relevant CB programs.
3. **Passive USB/USB-C charging cables**: It is necessary to first determine which category of cable products it belongs to, and then verify whether the corresponding safety standards are included in the IECEE CB program. It cannot be judged solely by the name “USB-C cable”.
4. **USB-C cables with E-Marker chips**: E-Marker is usually used to transmit information such as cable capabilities, but it does not automatically correspond to a specific CB safety standard. It must be confirmed whether the entire cable, connectors, chip, and its functions are within the scope of applicable standards and reports.
5. **Active conversion cables or cables with power conversion chips**: For example, USB-C to HDMI, USB-C to Ethernet, or cables with buck-boost functions may involve different product standards and functional requirements, and need to be judged separately.
6. **Charging connectors**: Separate connectors such as USB-C male plugs and female sockets shall be judged for applicable standards according to connector products. Connectors, cables, and finished cables may belong to different categories, and testing or certification of connectors does not automatically cover the entire finished cable.
In other words, for USB-C cables, E-Marker cables, active conversion cables, and connectors, the product category and applicable standards must be determined first, and then it must be verified whether the standards are included in the IECEE CB program. It is impossible to judge whether CB can be obtained or converted solely based on the interface name, whether it transmits data, or whether it has a chip.
In terms of specific products, mobile phone chargers, USB-C PD fast chargers, etc. are usually common evaluation objects in the CB system; for powered USB-C cables, data cables, and charging connectors, the results of product classification and applicable program verification shall prevail.
Now let’s look at applicable scenarios:
• **Simultaneously deploying 2 or more overseas markets that accept relevant CB programs**: This is a scenario with relatively high reuse value, but the acceptance scope still needs to be confirmed country by country.
• **Cross-border bulk procurement with finalized products**: If the product is finalized and its structure and parameters will not be changed frequently in the future, preparing CB materials in advance is conducive to expanding into different markets.
Scenarios that are not applicable or have low reuse value include:
• **Only targeting a single market**: If local regulations allow direct self-declaration or have a more direct certification path, doing CB first additionally may not be cost-effective.
• **Products are not within the scope of relevant CB programs**: Whether it is within the CB scope must be judged based on product category, applicable IEC standards, and IECEE program scope, and conclusions cannot be drawn solely based on names such as “pure data cable”, “low voltage”, or “connector”.
• **Only needing non-safety compliance such as EMC, energy efficiency, and environmental protection**: CB usually mainly solves the problem of mutual recognition of safety tests. Requirements such as electromagnetic compatibility, energy efficiency, RoHS, and WEEE must be verified separately and cannot be replaced by CB at one time.
4 Most Common CB Misconception Pitfalls, Don’t Wait Until Your Goods Are Detained
We have sorted out 4 most common mistakes made by beginners, and avoiding them in advance can reduce unnecessary losses:
1. **”CB report = global universal”**: Wrong. A CB report is only the basis for mutual recognition of part of the safety test results. Each country or region still has its own compliance requirements, and it is necessary to complete locally applicable assessment, technical documentation, declaration, registration, or marking requirements.
2. **”All CB reports can be used for certification conversion”**: Wrong. Only CB reports issued by CBTLs with valid qualifications and issued by NCBs, with standard versions, product scopes, and structural parameters matching the requirements of the target market, have the possibility of reuse.
3. **”No testing is required when applying with CB”**: Wrong. The target market may require supplementary local differences, sample verification, factory inspection, or re-completion of assessment in accordance with local regulations. Only when the materials and standards are highly matched may the review be mainly document-based.
4. **”Ordinary test report = CB report”**: Wrong. A CB report must be issued by an IECEE-accredited CBTL and accompanied by a CB certificate issued by the corresponding NCB. Test reports from ordinary third-party laboratories, even if the test items are similar, cannot be directly used as CB reports.
2. 3-Step Self-Check: Can Your Product and CB Report Be Used to Apply for Multi-Country Compliance?
After understanding the basic concepts, you don’t have to rush to find a body. You can first do a 3-step self-check to filter out obviously infeasible situations and avoid wasting time.
Step 1: First Verify the Actual Form of the Product to Avoid Model and Structure Mismatch
The number one reason many people get rejected when applying with a CB report is that the product is different from the product in the report. You need to verify this information one by one:
• **Product type**: Is it a charger, adapter, charging cable, data cable, connector, or cable with conversion function? The judgment conclusions of different product categories cannot be mixed.
• **Structural details**: Are the pins US standard or European standard? How many output ports are there? Which fast charging protocols are supported? Does it have a battery, wireless charging, or other conversion functions? These differences may affect applicable standards and test conclusions.
• **Plug and power cord**: Verify the plug type, grounding, polarity, interchangeable plug structure, pin fuse, and power cord specifications. British plugs shall comply with BS 1363 and applicable fuse requirements, and the fuse rating shall match the product and plug design. Non-British standard plugs usually need to be replaced with compliant configurations, and the body shall assess whether supplementary testing or document update is required.
• **Parameter confirmation**: Rated input and output voltage, current, and power shall be consistent with the report; if it is a cable, information such as cable structure, rated current, and rated voltage shall also be verified.
A special boundary reminder here: if it is a separate CB certification for charging connectors, it does not mean that the entire finished cable is covered; if it is a set of charger plus cable, it is necessary to confirm whether the cable is within the scope of the report, otherwise the cable may need a separate compliance assessment.
Step 2: Check the Compliance of the CB Report Itself
After confirming the product form, you also need to check whether the CB report you have is authentic, complete, and can be used in the target market. You can first query in the IECEE certificate database, and then verify with the issuing NCB, focusing on the following contents:
• **Qualification validity**: Whether the CBTL that issued the report and the NCB that issued the certificate are in the valid IECEE list and have the qualifications for the corresponding product category.
• **Report and certificate information**: Verify the report number, certificate number, version, and revision records.
• **Entity and scope**: Whether the names and addresses of the manufacturer and factory are consistent with the actual situation, and whether the model scope covered by the report includes the product to be applied for.
• **Standards and appendices**: Verify the applicable IEC standard version, national difference appendices, and the scope of application in the report.
• **Test materials**: Confirm whether the complete test data, test attachments, and list of key safety components are complete, and whether core safety items such as rated parameters, insulation, and temperature rise are qualified.
Special attention should also be paid to the status judgment of CB documents. The status, version, and revision records of CB certificates and test reports need to be verified separately. The existence of revocation, revision, maintenance, or scope changes shall be confirmed in the IECEE database and with the issuing NCB. Do not use only a fixed “validity period” to judge whether CB documents can be used.
In addition to authenticity, two more verifications are required:
• **Consistency verification**: The product model, brand, factory, structure, and parameters to be applied for shall all be within the scope covered by the CB report.
• **Standard adaptability verification**: The versions of IEC, EN, BS EN, UL, CSA or other national standards adopted by the target market, as well as the transition period and mandatory implementation date, must be verified country by country. It is impossible to judge whether the report can be converted solely based on the year of IEC 62368-1; different versions of the same standard may have different acceptance policies in different countries.
Step 3: Determine Whether the Target Market Accepts CB
The target country’s participation in IECEE-related CB programs does not mean that the country will accept CB reports for all products, all standard versions, or all regulatory paths. It is necessary to confirm:
1. Whether the target country participates in relevant CB programs.
2. Whether the target country accepts CB reports for this product category and corresponding standards.
3. Whether the IEC standard used in the CB report can correspond to the national standards or regulatory requirements adopted by the target market.
4. Whether it is necessary to supplement national differences, sample verification, factory inspection, local registration, or economic operator performance of duties.
Membership itself does not constitute automatic acceptance. Ultimately, it shall be confirmed with the competent authority of the target country, the accredited certification body, or the body actually responsible for the assessment whether the product, standard version, and CB report can be used for local compliance.
According to the actual situation, there are three common results:
• **Mainly document review**: The report standards, models, structures are highly matched with the requirements of the target market, and there are no additional mandatory tests locally.
• **Need to supplement national differences, sample verification, or factory inspection**: This is a relatively common situation, especially when there are differences in plugs, national standards, structures, and local mandatory test items.
• **CB can only be used as a reference**: Some product categories or regulatory paths may not accept this CB result, and basic tests or other assessments still need to be completed in accordance with local requirements.
Quick Prediction of Whether Supplementary Testing Is Needed
You can make a quick prediction according to this logic:
**Product category → Regulatory standards → CB report scope → National differences → EMC/energy efficiency/environmental protection → Entity and registration requirements**
Situations that are highly likely to require further testing or supplementary assessment include:
• Plugs, pins, or power cords do not meet the target country’s specifications.
• The CB report lacks the difference items required by the target country.
• The product has added functions not covered by the report, such as fast charging and multi-port output.
• The standard version used in the report is inconsistent with the current requirements of the target country.
• The product model, rating, structure, or key components are inconsistent with the report.
Situations that may mainly involve document review include:
• The standards of the CB report fully match the requirements of the target market.
• The product structure, parameters, and key components are completely consistent with the report.
• The target market has no additional mandatory testing, registration, or factory audit requirements.
Finally, it is emphasized that these are only preliminary predictions, and the final results shall be subject to the regulations of the target market and the formal assessment of the specific body.
3. What to Prepare Before Applying? Materials, Products, Entities, and Contracts Are All Indispensable
If the self-check shows it is feasible, you can start preparing application materials. Preparing everything in advance helps reduce repeated corrections.
1. CB-Related Documents: A Complete Set Is Required, Not Just the Certificate
The core material is the complete CB test report, and the certificate is the supporting proof. Usually, you need to prepare:
• **Complete CB test report**: Including test data, test attachments, list of key safety components, and national difference appendices.
• **Scanned copy of the CB certificate**.
• **Report revisions, supplementary explanations, or change documents**, if any, shall be provided together.
If you do not have a CB report yet, when choosing a laboratory, you should confirm whether it is an IECEE-accredited CBTL and state the target market in advance. In this way, the corresponding standards, report scope, and possible national differences can be confirmed during the testing phase, reducing subsequent repeated work.
2. General Technical Document Package: Reusable for Multiple Countries
These materials can usually be used as the basis for applications in multiple markets:
• Product specifications and manuals, which will be translated according to the requirements of the target market later.
• Circuit schematic diagrams, product structure diagrams, and nameplate drafts.
• Certification materials for key safety components, such as transformers, fuses, safety capacitors, etc.
• Actual product photos, including clear photos of internal and external structures, labels, plugs, and ports.
3. Pre-Adjustment of Products: Key Attention for Charging Products
Many problems with charging products come from mismatched plugs, labels, and parameters. Pre-adjustment can reduce rework:
• **Plugs and power cords**: Configure specifications recognized by the target market, and verify the type, grounding, polarity, fuse, and cable requirements.
• **Nameplates and manuals**: Add safety warnings, rated parameters, manufacturer, and applicable responsible entity information required by the target market.
• **USB-C cables**: Confirm that the rated current and voltage of the cable are consistent with the product marking; for cables with E-Marker, test or technical materials related to their functions shall also be prepared.
• **Fast charging products**: Confirm whether the protocol versions such as PD and QC, load combination of multi-port simultaneous output, power reduction mode, and firmware status are within the scope of the report.
4. Preparation of Qualifications and Responsible Entities
Compliance depends not only on the product, but also on the applicant entity and the sales chain:
• **Basic qualification documents**: Business qualification of the applicant, trademark authorization documents (if the product uses others’ trademarks), basic information of the manufacturing factory, and quality system certificates required by some markets.
• **Sorting out the relationship of responsible entities**: A product may involve the certificate holder, brand owner, manufacturer, importer, platform seller, and the responsible entity in the target market. Different entities have different obligations. For example, the manufacturer is responsible for product design and production conformity, and the importer needs to perform obligations such as market entry verification.
• **Report authorization**: If the same CB report is to be used for different brands, models, or factories, authorization from the report owner must be obtained, and the target body shall confirm whether it is acceptable.
• **Economic operators in the target country**: Some markets require manufacturers, importers, authorized representatives, or other local economic operators to perform specific obligations. The entity requirements of the EU, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand are not the same, and shall be confirmed separately, and a set of conclusions cannot be applied universally.
5. Do Pre-Assessment in Advance to Reduce Rework
Before formally submitting the application, you can send the CB report and product information to the actual certification body or assessment body in the target market, and ask:
• What national differences or local tests need to be supplemented.
• Whether it is necessary to send samples, conduct factory inspections, or register.
• Whether the existing report can be accepted.
• Approximate cost, cycle, and material requirements.
Pre-assessment cannot replace formal assessment, but it helps to identify problems in standards, product scope, or entities in advance.
6. Must-Read for Cross-Border Procurement: These Should Be Clearly Stated in the Contract with Suppliers
If you purchase products from suppliers, it is recommended to clarify CB-related responsibilities in the procurement contract:
• Clarify the ownership and authorized use scope of the CB report, including brand, model, and target market.
• Agree on the obligation of product change notification. When suppliers replace key components, change structures, adjust parameters, or change factories, they shall notify in advance and cooperate with the assessment.
• Clarify the bearer of certificate maintenance fees, standard upgrade fees, supplementary testing fees, and change assessment fees.
• Agree on the responsibility for rectification, recall, and loss bearing when the product fails random inspection due to compliance issues, is removed from the platform, or is recalled.
4. Practical Operation of CB Multi-Country Compliance Application: Choose the Path According to the Market
CB certification conversion is not a globally unified certificate replacement process. Different markets may adopt third-party certification, manufacturer self-declaration, registration and filing, or a combination of multiple. Therefore, the specific path of the target market must be determined before formal application.
Step 1: Clarify the Boundary of Requirements
First, list all requirements clearly:
• Target countries and sales regions.
• Type of compliance: mandatory certification, self-declaration, registration and filing, or voluntary certification.
• Coverage requirements: safety, EMC, energy efficiency, environmental protection, or all of them.
• Responsible entities and label usage rules for each market.
Key check: CB usually mainly solves the problem of reusing safety test results. EMC, energy efficiency, environmental protection, recycling registration, and platform material requirements need to be confirmed separately.
Step 2: Choose a Suitable Application or Assessment Body
The choice of body depends on:
• Whether it has experience in charging products.
• Whether it can handle the actual regulatory path of the target market.
• If it is third-party certification, whether it has the qualifications recognized by the target market.
• Whether it can handle the corresponding standard version, national differences, factory inspection, and registration requirements.
For paths that allow self-assessment of some products, such as the EU and the UK, you should not simply look for a “certificate-issuing body in the target country”. The manufacturer can establish technical documents and sign a declaration of conformity, or choose a third-party testing, certification, or technical service body according to customer or market needs.
Pitfall reminder: Don’t just look at the “fast certification conversion” advertised by intermediaries. You should confirm who issues the final documents, based on what regulations, and whether they are accepted by the competent authorities, platforms, or customers of the target market.
Step 3: Submit Materials and Preliminary Review
Submit materials according to the actual path of the target market. If there are multiple models in the same series, clearly state the differences in power, pins, number of ports, color, shell structure, and key components.
If the body points out missing materials or contradictory information, corrections shall be made in a timely manner. The submitted product model, rating, brand, factory, structure, and key component information must be consistent with the CB report.
Step 4: Supplementary Testing and Verification
After the preliminary review, the actual body may require:
• National difference or local standard testing.
• Sample verification.
• Factory inspection.
• Supplementary materials for key components.
• Re-conduct part or all of the assessment.
If it is sample verification, the sent samples shall be consistent with the product in the report. If the supplementary test fails, the product rectification shall be completed first, and then the materials or samples shall be resubmitted.
Step 5: Complete the Corresponding Assessment, Declaration, or Certification, and Verify Before Launch
After completing the process, the result may be a local certification certificate, test report, declaration of conformity, registration record, or a combination of these documents. Not every market will issue a “conversion certificate”.
Before going on the market, the following shall be verified:
• Model, brand, parameters, and factory information in the certificate, report, or declaration of conformity.
• Markings and safety information on nameplates, packaging, and manuals.
• The size, position, color of the marking, and whether filing is required.
• Local registration, import documents, and economic operator information.
• Whether the e-commerce sales page exceeds the scope covered by the certification or declaration.
Step 6: Post-Compliance Maintenance
Continuous maintenance is required after launch:
• Keep certificates, reports, declarations of conformity, rectification records, and test materials.
• When the product changes, assess its impact on technical documents, declarations, and CB certificates.
• Pay attention to changes in standards, regulations, and transition periods of the target market, and upgrade reports or update declarations when necessary.
• For changes in key components, factories, rated parameters, number of ports, fast charging protocols, etc., consult the NCB or certification body in a timely manner.
5. Compliance Differences of 7 Popular Charging Product Markets: No Need to Memorize by Rote, Compare Them
The compliance paths of different markets vary greatly. The following is a summary of 7 common markets for cross-border sellers, but specific requirements still need to be confirmed according to product categories and current regulations.
EU (CE Compliance)
• **Applicability and path**: AC-input chargers, power adapters, etc. may involve the Low Voltage Directive, EMC Directive, RoHS, and other applicable regulations. For most common low-voltage products, the manufacturer can complete the conformity assessment, prepare technical documents, sign the EU DoC, and affix the CE mark; whether a Notified Body (NB) is required depends on the specific regulations and product category.
• **CB applicability**: The CB report can be used as an important basis for safety assessment and technical documents, but it cannot automatically replace the manufacturer’s conformity assessment of applicable regulations. It shall be confirmed whether the standard used is the applicable EN harmonized standard and whether other tests are required.
• **Supplementary requirements**: Verify EMC, RoHS, applicable ecodesign or external power supply energy efficiency requirements, as well as WEEE producer registration and recycling obligations of each sales member state separately. WEEE is usually not a unified EU “certification”.
• **Plug/label/entity**: Use plugs and power cords that meet the requirements of the target market; the label shall include the CE mark, rated parameters, and applicable manufacturer and economic operator information; the manual shall be provided in the corresponding language according to the requirements of the sales member state.
• **Economic operators**: The EU economic operator requirements shall be fulfilled in accordance with applicable regulations. Overseas manufacturers usually need an importer or other applicable economic operator within the EU; whether an authorized representative must be established and its responsibilities shall be determined according to specific regulations.
• **Easily misjudged boundaries**: Most common charging products do not require NB certification, but technical documents and EU DoC cannot be omitted as a result. Passive USB cables with a rated voltage lower than 50V may not be within the scope of the Low Voltage Directive, but other applicable regulations still need to be verified. A CB report cannot replace the CE mark and declaration of conformity.
UK (UKCA Compliance)
• **Applicability and path**: Chargers, power adapters, etc. sold in England, Scotland, and Wales need to complete compliance in accordance with applicable UK product regulations. Most related products can be self-assessed by the manufacturer, but specific requirements depend on the product category and regulations.
• **CB applicability**: CB materials can be used as part of the safety technical documents, but it is necessary to confirm the standard version adopted by the UK, BS or BS EN requirements, and whether the product requires other tests or assessments.
• **Supplementary requirements**: Verify EMC, RoHS, WEEE, external power supply energy efficiency, and other applicable requirements separately. These are independent regulatory obligations and are not part of the UKCA mark itself.
• **Plug/label/entity**: The plug shall comply with applicable UK plug standards, and the fuse rating shall be determined according to the product configuration; labels and manuals shall comply with UK regulatory requirements, and provide rated parameters and applicable economic operator information; manuals usually need to be in English.
• **Compliance mark**: The UK’s Great Britain region currently still recognizes the CE mark for many regulated products, and UKCA can also be used. The specific recognition period, product regulation category, and marking requirements shall be subject to the current guidelines of the UK government. The conditions for applying CE or CE+UKNI in Northern Ireland shall also be judged separately according to whether a third-party body is required.
• **Economic operators**: The responsibilities of UK manufacturers, importers, authorized representatives, or other economic operators shall be determined according to product regulations and the location of the manufacturer. “UK responsible person” cannot be regarded as a completely identical requirement for all products and all paths.
US (NRTL Certification)
• **Applicability and path**: Safety requirements for electrotechnical products such as chargers and power adapters may come from OSHA, state or local electrical codes, customer and retailer requirements. OSHA’s NRTL requirements apply to specific products and work scenarios, and do not require NRTL certification for all electrotechnical products. Common NRTLs will conduct assessments based on applicable UL, ANSI, or other recognized standards, and the specifics shall be confirmed by the target NRTL.
• **CB applicability**: CB materials can be submitted to NRTL for evaluation, but whether they are adopted depends on NRTL program policies, standard versions, product structure, and national differences.
• **Supplementary requirements**: The specific NRTL shall determine whether US national difference testing, sample verification, and follow-up factory inspection are required. The FCC shall determine the applicable compliance method according to the equipment category. Many charger-related devices may be subject to Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), and FCC Certification is not always required. DOE external power supply energy efficiency requirements only apply to products covered by the regulations.
• **Plug/label/entity**: Use plugs that meet US requirements, and verify polarity, grounding, and rated parameters; if NRTL certification is involved, use the corresponding certification mark according to the requirements of the certification body, and provide manufacturer and product information. Whether a US local entity is required depends on specific regulations, certification programs, and sales channels, but product information shall be traceable.
• **Easily misjudged boundaries**: A CB report cannot directly replace the NRTL assessment or other applicable regulations required by the US. UL is one of the NRTL bodies, not the only legal body, and a certain UL standard cannot be understood as a unified mandatory certification path for all products in the US.
Canada (SCC Accredited Certification)
• **Applicability and path**: Products such as chargers and power adapters shall apply for corresponding Canadian electrical safety certification from an SCC-accredited certification body according to the sales province, product category, and applicable electrical codes. SCC is mainly responsible for accrediting certification bodies, and specific product certification is implemented by accredited bodies.
• **CB applicability**: CB materials can be submitted to Canadian certification bodies for evaluation. Whether they are adopted and whether difference testing, sample verification, and factory inspection are required shall be determined by the specific body.
• **Supplementary requirements**: Safety requirements are affected by Canadian national and provincial rules. For EMC, the ICES compliance method shall be determined according to ISED requirements, which usually involves corresponding testing, labeling, and compliance records, and cannot be generally referred to as a unified “ICES EMC certification”. The energy efficiency of external power supplies shall also be verified according to applicable NRCan regulations.
• **Plug/label/entity**: Use plugs and power cords that meet Canadian requirements; if the product requires electrical safety certification, the mark recognized by the corresponding certification body shall be used. The English and French requirements for labels and manuals shall be verified in combination with federal and provincial regulations.
• **Easily misjudged boundaries**: US NRTL certification cannot automatically replace Canadian electrical safety certification, and usually still needs to be evaluated by a Canadian accredited body and use the applicable Canadian certification mark.
Japan (PSE Certification)
• **Applicability and path**: Japan classifies regulated electrical appliances in accordance with the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law. Specified electrical appliances usually require third-party certification and use the diamond-shaped PSE mark; non-specified electrical appliances shall meet the conformity requirements in accordance with the corresponding system and use the circular PSE mark. Whether chargers, power adapters, and some high-power USB-C products are within the regulated scope shall be subject to the current catalog and product classification of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
• **CB applicability**: Basic safety test materials may be reused, but they need to be submitted to relevant Japanese certification or assessment bodies for confirmation. CB reports cannot be directly regarded as PSE compliance documents.
• **Supplementary requirements**: According to the category of the product being specified or non-specified electrical appliances, complete the corresponding conformity certificate, third-party certification, or enterprise inspection, and perform legal obligations such as business operator, importer, and business notification. Do not generally refer to it as product “METI filing”.
• **Plug/label/entity**: First, determine whether the finished product is a regulated electrical appliance according to the METI catalog, and then configure the plug, label, and PSE mark according to the corresponding requirements. Information on manufacturers, importers, or relevant business operators in Japan shall be provided according to specific categories and regulatory requirements. The language requirements for manuals and nameplates shall also be verified in accordance with Japanese sales regulations.
• **Easily misjudged boundaries**: The PSE mark is not a certification granted separately to all Japanese standard plugs; not all chargers require diamond-shaped PSE; JIS standards do not mean that PSE requirements are automatically met. Whether ordinary low-power USB cables are within the scope of electrical appliances shall be judged according to the actual structure of the product and the METI catalog.
Australia/New Zealand (RCM Compliance)
• **Applicability and path**: Both Australia and New Zealand may use the RCM mark, but the specific regulatory systems of the two countries are not exactly the same. For Australia, EESS, electrical safety, EMC, and energy efficiency requirements shall be verified separately, and whether responsible supplier registration, safety certification, or other procedures are required shall be judged according to product classification. New Zealand shall handle it in accordance with its own electrical safety, EMC, and energy efficiency rules, and cannot directly copy the conclusions of Australia’s EESS.
• **CB applicability**: Safety test materials may be reused, but the local applicable body or responsible entity shall confirm whether the standards, national differences, and product categories match.
• **Supplementary requirements**: Verify Australia’s safety certification level, EMC, external power supply energy efficiency, and responsible supplier requirements, as well as New Zealand’s own safety, EMC, energy efficiency, and supply chain obligations separately. Not all charging products require the same level of safety certification, EESS registration, or so-called “Australia-New Zealand national difference testing”.
• **Plug/label/entity**: Use plugs and power cords that meet local requirements, and the label shall be configured with RCM, rated parameters, and responsible entity information according to applicable rules. Manuals are usually in English.
• **Easily misjudged boundaries**: RCM is a mark used to indicate that applicable regulatory requirements have been met, not a unified certification certificate. Whether safety certification, EMC assessment, or responsible supplier registration is required shall be judged separately according to the respective rules of Australia and New Zealand.
South Korea (KC Certification)
• **Applicability and path**: For products such as chargers and power adapters, the applicable electrical appliance safety system and EMC system shall be judged according to the catalog of the Korean competent authority and rated parameters.
• **CB applicability**: Basic safety test materials may be reused, but they need to be submitted to relevant Korean institutions for evaluation to confirm whether the standard version, product classification, and national differences meet the requirements.
• **Supplementary requirements**: Verify the categories of safety certification, safety confirmation, and supplier self-declaration in the Korean electrical appliance safety management system, as well as the scope of application and declaration requirements of KC EMC separately. Safety and EMC cannot be simply summarized as a unified “KC certification”.
• **Plug/label/entity**: Use plugs that meet South Korean requirements, and the label shall provide applicable marks, rated parameters, and manufacturer information; the Korean language requirements for manuals and nameplates shall be confirmed according to product categories, and some categories may also require a local Korean representative or business operator.
• **Easily misjudged boundaries**: Whether self-declaration is allowed cannot be judged only by “low risk”, but depends on the product catalog and applicable system classification. Safety compliance and EMC compliance shall be confirmed separately.
For quick comparison, here is a qualitative reference table:
| Market | Core Compliance Path | CB Safety Reusability | Commonness of Local Difference or Supplementary Assessment | Factory Audit Requirements | Local Entity/Registration Requirements |
| EU CE | Mostly self-declaration + EU DoC | May be high, but EN standards and regulations need to be confirmed | Depends on applicable standards and other tests | Most products do not require third-party factory audits | Fulfill economic operator and member state registration obligations in accordance with regulations |
| UK UKCA/CE | Many products can be self-declared | Depends on current UK standards and regulations | Depends on product category and regulations | Determined by specific path | Determine UK economic operator according to product regulations |
| US NRTL | Third-party certification required for specific scenarios or customers | Depends on NRTL policies | Relatively common | Determined by specific NRTL program | Usually requires traceable manufacturer or importer information |
| Canada | Electrical safety certification implemented by SCC-accredited bodies | Depends on the certification body | Relatively common | Determined by the body and provincial requirements | Determined by sales province and product rules |
| Japan PSE | Third-party certification for specified categories / corresponding compliance for non-specified categories | Part of the safety materials may be reused | Depends on product classification | May be required for specified categories | Relevant business operators in Japan and notification obligations are determined by category |
| Australia-New Zealand RCM | Complete respective safety, EMC, energy efficiency, and registration requirements separately | Depends on the country and product classification | Determined by product category | Determined by local system | Australian responsible supplier registration is only required within the applicable scope |
| South Korea | Safety certification / safety confirmation / supplier self-declaration and KC EMC judged separately | Depends on the system and body | Determined by product classification | May be required for safety certification categories | Some categories require local Korean business operators or representatives |
Note: The above is a qualitative reference. Specific costs, cycles, testing, and entity requirements shall be subject to the regulations of the target market and the formal assessment of relevant bodies.
Common Limitations of Sharing CB Reports Among Multiple Countries
Although CB can reuse part of the safety test data, it is not omnipotent. There are several limitations to know in advance:
1. The same CB report may not cover the differences in plugs, rated parameters, labels, and manuals of different countries, and separate assessment is required.
2. Different rated parameter versions of the same product can only be shared if they are listed in the report or have obtained accredited expansion.
3. Some countries require local testing, third-party certification, registration, or economic operator performance of duties, and all compliance cannot be completed solely by CB.
4. When the standard version is updated, the adoption time and transition period of different countries may be different, and the conclusion of one country cannot replace the judgment of other countries.
6. Exclusive Judgment for Charging Products: Chargers and USB-C Cables Have Their Own Key Points
The structures and functions of charging products vary greatly. Especially for chargers and USB-C cables, the key points of compliance judgment are completely different and cannot be confused.
Key Verification Items for Chargers/Power Adapters
For chargers and power adapters, these points directly affect whether CB materials can be reused and whether supplementary assessment is required:
1. **Grid matching**: If the rated input of the product does not cover the grid voltage and frequency of the target market, it usually cannot be used directly locally or sold with the existing configuration, and needs to be redesigned, configured with conversion equipment, and re-evaluated. The grid and socket conditions of the target market shall be subject to local electrical codes and product standards.
2. **Plugs and power cords**: The plug type, grounding, polarity, fuse, and cable specifications shall all meet the requirements of the target country.
3. **Safety design**: The insulation structure, grounding design, and key safety components must be consistent with the CB report, and cannot be replaced at will without assessment.
4. **Output characteristics**: Output power, number of ports, and load combination, such as power distribution during multi-port simultaneous output, shall be consistent with the scope covered by the report.
5. **Fast charging function**: Supported protocol versions such as PD and QC, power reduction mode, and firmware version shall be consistent with the report and technical documents.
6. **Materials and temperature rise**: The shell flame-retardant materials and temperature rise test results shall comply with applicable standards.
7. **Abnormal working conditions**: Abnormal tests such as short circuit, overload, and overvoltage shall meet applicable requirements.
USB-C Cables/Data Cables: Classify First, Then Assess
The categories of USB-C cables are particularly complex. Different types of cables may have completely different applicable standards, so they must be classified first:
• **Passive charging cables**: Usually have no active conversion function, but the applicable standards still need to be judged according to the cable, connector, and rated capacity. It cannot be assumed that they belong to a certain CB program just because they are “passive”.
• **USB-C cables with E-Marker chips**: E-Marker is used to transmit information such as cable capabilities. It is necessary to confirm whether the rated current, voltage, connectors, chip functions, and applicable standards of the entire cable are within the scope of the report.
• **Active conversion cables or cables with signal conversion chips**: For example, USB-C to VGA, USB-C to Ethernet cables, which involve signal conversion functions, may require additional functional or safety standards, and shall be judged separately.
• **Cables with power conversion functions**: For example, products with boost or buck functions may be assessed as power products, and cannot be simply treated as ordinary cables.
Core verification items for USB-C cables:
• The cross-sectional area of the cable, rated current, voltage, and terminal structure will affect the safety conclusion, and must be consistent with the report and the actual product.
• Separate USB-C connector testing or certification does not automatically cover the entire finished cable.
• If sold as a set with a charger, it is necessary to confirm whether the cable is included in the certification or technical documents of the main product, otherwise a separate assessment may be required.
Impact of Product Changes on Compliance: Establish Change Control and Handle by Risk
Many people think “it’s just a change of shell color, the circuit hasn’t been changed, so there’s no need to update the certification”. A more prudent approach is to establish change control and assess the impact of changes on technical documents, declarations of conformity, and CB certificates, rather than mechanically submitting all changes to a third-party body.
It can be initially classified by risk:
1. **Low-risk changes**: For example, changes in appearance silk screen or shell color, with safety materials and structure completely unchanged. The manufacturer can complete internal assessment and recording in accordance with applicable regulations; if a CB certificate is involved, it shall be confirmed whether the NCB requires filing or update.
2. **Medium-risk changes**: Changes in suppliers or part numbers of key safety components, such as replacement of transformers, fuses, and safety capacitors, require key verification of component certification, parameters, and test conclusions.
3. **High-risk changes**: Changes in electrical parameters, number of interfaces, fast charging protocols, insulation structure, shell materials, or plug specifications may directly affect safety testing.
4. **Production-related changes**: Changes in production factories or key production processes may affect product consistency and certification maintenance, and shall also be assessed in a timely manner.
Changes involving safety-critical components, structures, parameters, factories, or applicable standards shall be submitted to the NCB or certification body for confirmation. For paths that allow manufacturer self-assessment, such as the EU, low-risk changes can be recorded and self-assessed by the manufacturer in accordance with applicable rules, but technical documents and declarations must still be updated in a timely manner.
Conditions for Sharing CB Reports for Series Models
If the product has multiple models in the same series, such as chargers with different powers or different pins, it cannot be assumed that they can be shared just because they “belong to the same series”. Sharing is only possible if the following conditions are confirmed by the report and the certification body:
1. The core structure, key safety components, and safety design remain consistent.
2. The differences will not affect the safety conclusions under applicable standards.
3. All ratings, plug configurations, and models have been included in the report or have obtained accredited expansion.
4. The difference description is clear, which can explain the safety risks and test coverage of different models.
5. The target market accepts this type of series model coverage method.
Special attention should be paid that changes in power and pins may affect temperature rise, protection, creepage distance, mechanical strength, and abnormal testing, and should not be directly treated as non-core differences.
7. Cost, Cycle, and Decision: Whether to Use CB, Calculate According to the Actual Project
Many people are most concerned about: can applying for multi-country compliance with CB really save money and speed up the process? The answer depends on the specific project and cannot be judged by a unified ratio.
Compliance Cost Composition (Excluding the Testing Fee of CB Itself)
The conversion cost mentioned here refers to the cost of applying for compliance in the target market after having a CB report, excluding the testing fee of CB itself. Common costs include:
**Total cost = Body application and review fee + national difference or local testing fee + sample shipping fee + translation and labeling fee + registration/entity service fee + subsequent maintenance fee**
By cost type:
• **Fixed fees**: Application fee, certificate or assessment fee, document review fee.
• **Variable fees**: National difference testing, translation, local services, sample shipping, factory inspection, and other fees.
• **Subsequent fees**: Maintenance fees, standard update fees, change assessment fees, and possible retesting fees.
For actual projects, it is also necessary to consider whether the target market is self-declaration or third-party certification, whether registration is required, whether a local economic operator is required, and whether the sales platform has additional requirements.
Cost and Cycle Reference: Do Not Apply a Fixed Percentage
CB reuse may reduce repeated testing, but the actual cost and cycle must be calculated based on the following factors:
• Product category and complexity.
• Completeness and standard version of the CB report.
• Whether the target market accepts the report.
• Number of national differences and local tests.
• Whether sample verification or factory inspection is required.
• Whether translation, registration, and local entity are required.
• Body scheduling, sample shipping, and number of rectifications.
Therefore, it is impossible to generally promise “only 30%-60% of new certification”, “completed in 2-4 weeks”, or “only 70%-90% after supplementary testing”. These figures are not the unified range stipulated by the CB system or regulations. Whether it is more economical and has a shorter cycle than applying separately shall be subject to the written quotation, test scope, and scheduling of the target market body.
Whether to Use CB? 3 Judgment Criteria
You can use these three questions to make a preliminary judgment:
1. **Are you simultaneously deploying two or more overseas markets that accept relevant CB programs?**
If yes, CB usually has greater data reuse value; if you only target one market, you should compare the total cost of the local direct compliance path and the CB path.
2. **Does the existing CB report meet the qualification, standard, and product scope requirements of the target market?**
If the report version is too old, the product is not within the scope, or the key parameters are inconsistent, direct use may increase rework costs.
3. **Is the product already finalized?**
If the product will still have changes in structure, components, ports, or power, subsequent changes may lead to updates of reports and technical documents. It is best to proceed after the main design is confirmed.
Cost and Efficiency Optimization Tips
To reduce repeated investment, the following methods can be adopted:
1. Plan multiple target countries at one time, and compare which markets can reuse the same batch of safety materials.
2. Consider the input range, plug configuration, and general IEC standards of different markets in the product design stage.
3. Do pre-assessment in advance to confirm what needs to be supplemented and how much it will cost, then decide whether to apply formally.
4. Clarify CB qualifications, authorization scope, change responsibilities, and cost bearers in the procurement contract.
5. Choose a professional body that can handle multiple target markets to reduce repeated communication.
Reference for Common Decision Cases
• **Single market**: For example, if you only target the US market, you should compare the cost and cycle of directly applying for NRTL versus doing CB first and then submitting to NRTL. You cannot default that CB is definitely more cost-effective.
• **Dual markets**: For example, the EU and the US. CB reports may help reuse part of the safety test data, but EU CE may adopt manufacturer self-declaration, while the US may require NRTL. The two cannot be simply compared as two sets of completely identical certifications.
• **Multi-model series products**: If the core structure is consistent, and all ratings, plug configurations, and models are covered by the report or expansion scope, repeated testing may be reduced through the series method, but it must be confirmed by the applicable body or NCB.
8. Common Failure Reasons and Pitfall Avoidance: Avoid Unnecessary Rework in Advance
We have sorted out the common failure reasons in the process of CB conversion and the corresponding pitfall avoidance methods.
Classification of Common Failure Reasons
1. Problems with the CB Report Itself
• Not a document issued by an IECEE-accredited CBTL and issued by an NCB.
• Only the report summary, no complete test data and attachments.
• The standard version, report status, or revision records do not meet the requirements of the target market.
• Product information is inconsistent with the report, such as different models, factories, or structures.
2. Product and National Difference Issues
• The plug does not meet the target country’s specifications.
• Labels and manuals lack information required by local authorities.
• The supplementary tests, assessments, or registrations required by the target market have not been completed.
• CB documents, technical documents, or declarations of conformity have not been updated after product revision.
3. Process and Material Issues
• The application materials are contradictory, and the parameters of the specification are inconsistent with the report.
• The sent samples are inconsistent with the product in the report.
• Only the CB certificate is submitted, without the complete test report.
• Choosing an intermediary without corresponding qualifications or experience, resulting in the final documents not being accepted by the target market.
4. Regulatory and Platform Issues
• Incorrect use of compliance marks.
• Sales page information exceeds the scope of certification or declaration.
• Applicable local registration or producer responsibility obligations have not been completed.
• The responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, authorized representatives, or other economic operators have not been implemented.
3-Step Quick Pitfall Avoidance Self-Check List Before Application
Before formally submitting the application, take some time to go through these 3 steps:
1. **Check the CB report**: Is the qualification valid? Are the status and revision records clear? Does the standard version match? Is the product within the scope covered by the report?
2. **Check the target market**: Does the target country accept CB materials for this type of product and corresponding standards? What are the supplementary testing, registration, economic operator, or labeling requirements?
3. **Check the product itself**: Do the plugs, markings, parameters, structure, and responsible entity meet the requirements of the target market?
Remedial Methods for Failed Applications
In case the application fails, it can be handled according to the reason:
• **Report issues**: Replace with a compliant CB report, supplement missing tests, or upgrade the standard version according to the requirements of the target market.
• **Product issues**: Replace compliant plugs, adjust labels and manuals, rectify the structure, and then re-evaluate or retest.
• **Process issues**: Replace with a qualified application body, supplement materials, and improve entity and authorization documents.
• **Platform or regulatory random inspection issues**: Submit complete compliance certificates, correct sales pages and product markings, and re-complete assessment or certification as required.
Post-Launch Compliance Maintenance and Random Inspection Response
After obtaining the certificate, completing the declaration, or launching the product, maintenance cannot be stopped:
• **File retention**: Keep technical documents, declarations of conformity, certificates, test records, rectification records, and batch traceability materials according to each target market and applicable regulations. Many product regulations in the EU and the UK usually require relevant documents to be kept for at least 10 years, and the specific period shall be subject to applicable regulations.
• **Random inspection response**: When encountering random inspections by customs, regulatory authorities, or platforms, provide complete compliance documents in a timely manner and cooperate with the investigation.
• **Abnormal handling**: If the product is judged unqualified, recalled, or the certificate is suspended, rectify it in a timely manner, and update compliance documents and sales materials simultaneously.
• **Dynamic update**: Pay attention to changes in standards, regulations, and transition periods of the target country, and complete report upgrades, certificate maintenance, or declaration updates in advance