Previous articles repeatedly mentioned "checking whether a mutual recognition mechanism like the CB Scheme can reduce duplicate testing." This article expands on exactly how the CB Scheme works and what value companies can actually get from it.
What Is the CB Scheme
The CB Scheme (also known as the IECEE CB System) is an international mutual recognition system established by the IEC System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment (IECEE). The core logic: once a product completes testing at a CB testing lab in one member country, the resulting CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report can be accepted by certification bodies in other member countries as the technical basis for applying for local certification — avoiding a full retest in every single target market.
The Core Problem the CB Scheme Solves
If a company's product needs to export to a dozen or more countries at once, in theory each country's certification body might require a separate submission for testing — meaning the same product could go through a dozen nearly-identical testing processes, an unsustainable amount of time and cost. The CB Scheme's value lies in the "test once, mutually recognized across countries" mechanism, compressing those dozen tests into "one core test completed within the CB system, plus supplementary testing for each country's National Differences" — substantially cutting duplicate investment.
National Differences: The Key Limitation
The CB Scheme isn't "one certificate universally valid everywhere" — each member country retains a set of "National Differences" clauses based on its own grid standards, climate conditions, language requirements, and so on. After obtaining a CB certificate, a company still needs supplementary testing or documentation adjustments addressing the target country's National Differences before finally exchanging it for a local certification certificate. Understanding this is important, to avoid the mistaken assumption that a CB certificate fully bypasses local certification.
Applicable Product Scope
The CB Scheme mainly covers electrical/electronic products, including but not limited to household appliances, IT equipment, lighting products, and power adapters — whether a specific product category applies needs to be checked against IECEE's officially published category list.
How Companies Can Actually Use the CB Scheme
- When planning export markets, first check whether the target country is an IECEE CB Scheme member
- Choose a testing body with CBTL (CB Testing Laboratory) accreditation for the initial core test
- After obtaining the CB certificate, assess each target country's National Differences checklist to determine what supplementary testing is needed
- When expanding into new target markets later, the existing CB certificate can again serve as the basis for application, reducing testing investment for the new market
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Once I have a CB certificate, do I no longer need any local certification? A: No — the CB certificate is one piece of technical basis for applying for local certification, but supplementary testing or certificate exchange procedures addressing local National Differences are typically still needed, with the specific process varying by destination country.
Q: Are all countries CB Scheme members? A: No — the CB Scheme is a voluntary international mutual recognition system. Which countries are members and which product categories are covered should be confirmed against IECEE's officially published information.
If you're planning to export to multiple markets at once, send us your target country list and we can help assess whether the CB Scheme can reduce your duplicate testing investment.