China Tightens CCC Certification Rules and Enforcement
18. August 2026China is strengthening CCC certification oversight as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the effectiveness and integrity of compulsory product certification. On April 16, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced the launch of the “CCC Certification Keep the Bottom Line” special campaign and introduced a new batch of implementation rules covering multiple product categories.
The initiative reinforces supervision throughout the certification process, from initial applications and product testing to factory inspections and post-certification surveillance. The regulatory approach emphasizes stricter controls across the certification chain and increased scrutiny of practices that could undermine certification integrity. Products subject to China Compulsory Certification usually require CCC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in China.
New CCC Rules Strengthen Testing and Factory Inspections
One important aspect of the updated approach concerns factory inspections. Inspection requirements are being tailored more closely to the specific industry, safety risks and production processes associated with individual products. Manufacturers presenting higher risks may consequently face more frequent or stricter inspections.
The rules also strengthen controls over certification-related payments and intermediary involvement. Testing fees must be paid directly by the applicant company to the certification body. Intermediaries are not permitted to participate in factory inspections, and an inspection may be stopped if an intermediary is present.
Another significant change concerns samples used for type testing. Random sampling is being introduced to improve sample authenticity and reduce the possibility that specially prepared samples are submitted instead of products representative of normal production. This approach is intended to ensure that products undergoing CCC conformity assessment more accurately reflect those placed on the Chinese market.
Wider Product Scope and Market Access Implications
The new implementation rules affect a broad range of products. The source identifies 16 categories shifted to third-party certification, including fuse-holders, small-power motors, electric drills, electric grinders, electric hammers, DC arc welders, TIG welders, MIG/MAG welders, plasma cutters, automotive safety glass, seat belts, external lighting and signal devices, indirect vision devices, seats and headrests, tachographs, and retro-reflective markings.
For manufacturers, importers and exporters, the changes make consistent compliance throughout the China Compulsory Certification process increasingly important. Companies should ensure that production facilities, testing arrangements, payment procedures and interactions with certification bodies comply with the applicable CCC implementation rules rather than treating certification as a one-time approval exercise.
The campaign indicates that SAMR intends to maintain oversight from certification application through post-certification surveillance. Companies supplying CCC-regulated products to China should therefore review the implementation rules applicable to their individual product categories and ensure that their certification and production processes remain aligned with the updated requirements.
For more information on how CCC certification, Battery Registration for China, the CCC Self-Declaration and voluntary CCAP or CQC certification may affect your company, or for more information about CCC certification in general, please visit our News Section where you will find current updates twice a week.
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You can also check our free CCC-Brochure, which can be downloaded as a PDF file. The brochure also contains information on the CCC Self-Declaration and the voluntary CQC- and CCAP-Certification).
