China Compulsory Certification (CCC Certification) is a market access system implemented in China in accordance with market-oriented and international principles for products involving personal health, safety, and environmental protection. According to the Regulations on Certification and Accreditation, any product included in the CCC certification catalog must undergo certification and be labeled with the certification mark before it can be manufactured, sold, imported, or used in other business activities.

Lithium-ion batteries, which generally use flammable organic electrolytes, pose certain potential risks. During transportation, storage, use, and recycling, they are susceptible to overheating, fire, or even explosion due to external factors (such as high temperature, overcharging, over-discharging, short circuits) and internal factors (such as dendrites, impurities causing internal short circuits). These risks directly threaten personal safety, leading lithium-ion batteries to be gradually included in the CCC certification catalog.

I. Relevant Policy Documents

The inclusion of lithium-ion batteries in CCC certification is supported by a series of national policy documents, clarifying the timeline and scope of mandatory compliance:

1. On September 17, 2022, the State Council issued the Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Deepening the Reform of the Management System for the Electronic and Electrical Industry (Guobanfa 〔2022〕 No. 31). It proposed: "Reform and improve the mandatory product certification system for electronic and electrical products. Dynamically adjust the mandatory product certification catalog based on the actual development of technology and products. Include lithium-ion batteries and power adapters/chargers with high safety risks in mandatory certification management."

2. In accordance with relevant requirements, on March 16, 2023, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released the Announcement of the State Administration for Market Regulation on Implementing Mandatory Product Certification Management for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Other Products (2023 No. 10). It decided to first implement CCC certification for lithium-ion batteries and battery packs used in portable electronic products. Starting from August 1, 2024, products without a CCC certification certificate and certification mark shall not be manufactured, sold, imported, or used in other business activities.

3. On June 25, 2024, SAMR issued the Announcement of the State Administration for Market Regulation on Implementing Mandatory Product Certification Management for Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles and Chargers for Electric Bicycles (2024 No. 26). It decided to implement CCC certification management for lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles and chargers for electric bicycles. Starting from November 1, 2025, these products must undergo CCC certification and be labeled with the CCC mark before they can be manufactured, sold, imported, or used in other business activities.

II. Categories of Lithium-Ion Batteries Included in the CCC Certification Catalog

CCC certification applies not only to products produced and sold domestically in China but also to imported products. Currently, three categories of lithium-ion batteries or lithium-ion battery-containing electronic products are included in the CCC certification catalog:

Specific Applicable Product Scenarios

Products involving the following scenarios, and their internal lithium-ion batteries or lithium-ion batteries used for these products, require CCC certification:

• Electric bicycles (compliance to be mandatory soon) and their supporting batteries;
• Power banks, portable energy storage power supplies, and camping mobile power supplies;
• Mobile electronic products weighing no more than 18 kg and designed for frequent carrying by users, including:
  (a) Portable office products: Laptops, tablets, etc.;
  (b) Mobile communication products: Mobile phones, cordless phones, walkie-talkies, etc.;
  (c) Portable audio/video products: Portable TVs, portable audio/video players, cameras, camcorders, voice recorders, Bluetooth headsets, portable speakers, etc.;
  (d) Other portable products: Electronic navigators, digital photo frames, game consoles, e-readers, portable projectors, wearable devices, etc.

III. Key Notes for Enterprises

(1) CCC Certification Bodies

Certification bodies engaged in CCC certification activities and laboratories related to certification are designated by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA). The list of designated certification bodies, laboratories, and their contact information can be found in the "Mandatory Product Certification Column" on the CNCA official website.

(2) CCC Certification Modes

Different CCC product categories adopt slightly different certification modes, with key differences in sample sources and inspection focuses:

(3) CCC Certification Timeframe

The CCC certification cycle for products in categories 0914, 0915, and 1121 is generally within 90 days from the acceptance of the certification application. Enterprises requiring CCC certification for their products should reserve sufficient time for the certification process.

ESTL’s Support for CCC Certification

ESTL has a strong technical service team. Our certification engineers are familiar with China’s CCC certification standards and can help major battery manufacturers and clients quickly obtain certification certificates, facilitating the rapid launch of products in the Chinese market!