Jean-Louis Evans, Managing Director at TÜV SÜD Product Service, a global product testing and certification organisation, and at its sister company, TÜV SÜD BABT, radio and telecommunications certification body, uncovers how the lack of awareness of the CB product testing passport for testing of electronics products is costing companies valuable time and money
The IECEE (IEC System for Conformity testing and Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment and Components) CB Scheme is said to be the world’s first international system for the mutual acceptance of test reports and certificates for electrical and electronic components, equipment and products.
It offers a single test that gives manufacturers access to international markets for their electronic products, covering both electrical safety and EMC. It encompasses 22 product categories that include electronics/entertainment, household equipment, toys, portable tools and electrical medical equipment.
The main objective of the CB Scheme is to facilitate trade by promoting the harmonisation of individual national standards with international ones. This brings us a step closer to the utopian ideal of ‘one test, one market’ as it reduces the need for duplicate testing, is operational in over 50 countries, and is being used by over 15,000 manufacturers worldwide. It is also widely accepted beyond the countries that formally participate in the scheme.
While the CB Scheme is gaining in popularity, many companies still seem reluctant to take advantage of this testing utopia. Instead they continue to apply for testing and certificates with a plethora of certification bodies to gain access to individual export markets. By not taking the CB Scheme route, development costs are higher and time to market for new products is significantly slowed.
Under the CB Scheme, the National Committee of each member country designates its National Certification Body (NCB) or Bodies, which are responsible for issuing CB Test Certificates. The testing is conducted by CB Test Laboratories (CBTLs) affiliated to the NCBs and is based on the use of international (IEC/CISPR) standards, with the resultant CB Test Certificate proving that a product complies with those standards.
Once the manufacturer has their CB Test Report and Certificate, they can use this to obtain national approvals in many other member countries. The manufacturer is required to submit an application, and may also be required to submit a product sample in the country of destination.
Certification under the CB Scheme
Under the CB Scheme, however, reports and certificates can only be rejected with good technical justification. In fact many countries will now accept and may demand CB Test reports and certificates without the need for local certification. For example, any electrical product exported to South Africa must have a CB test report and certificate.
By considering declared national differences as part of the testing process the CBTL helps the manufacturer to meet all the requirements of its target markets. Such differences include ‘country deviations’, which are national characteristics or practices that cannot be changed, including climatic or electrical earthing conditions. ‘Regulatory Requirements’ also cover the differing restrictions, licenses, and laws imposed by the government or the national authority. CE marking for the European Union is just one such regulatory requirement that the CB Scheme can address.
As an example, let’s take the Information Technology Equipment Safety Standard 60950-1 which has a prefix of EN in Europe, UL in the USA and IEC for the rest of the world. The CB Scheme covers all the ‘harmonised’ requirements of these standards and the associated national differences, meaning that only one set of tests needs to be done and one test report delivered. The report is made up of several parts, the first covering the common requirements across all the standards, and the others comprising report annexes showing tests for the specific country differences such as mains supply voltage.
Because CE marking relies on a manufacturer’s self-declaration that the product complies with the relevant European legislation, there is no guarantee that a product is safe. It is also becoming increasingly common for less scrupulous manufacturers to simply affix the CE marking, sign the declaration of conformity and to not bother testing products.
However, CE marking is still an EU requirement for imported goods and the more responsible manufacturers will want to ensure that their products meet the legislation. The good news is that the CB Scheme encompasses all of the requirements of CE marking regulations, delivering manufacturers the evidence they need to self-declare and prove CE marking compliance.
On an increasingly technologically level playing field, it is brand reputation that sets one product apart from another. A significant part of reputation comes from a positive user experience, created through safe and reliable products that satisfy the intended use, meet consumer expectation and don’t harm anyone.
For those manufacturers wary of the pitfalls of CE marking self-declaration, and looking to ensure that their products are deemed safe, the CB Scheme offers something beyond wider access to international markets. In fact, the CB scheme is gaining in popularity because it is regulated and controlled by a respected organisation, the IECEE.
Relative to the alternative of embarking on the lengthy and expensive approach of conducting multiple tests to satisfy multiple countries, the CB Scheme is a seamless process. Any manufacturer that takes advantage of the scheme can significantly reduce the cost, effort and time involved in obtaining approvals.
The CB Scheme offers obvious advantages and it is the only initiative of its kind that has succeeded where others have failed. For the countries that do recognise it, it would seem that testing utopia for international exports does exist. The ability to carry out one test programme to in effect gain access to many international markets, faster and at a lower cost surely means that more manufacturers should be taking advantage of it.
TÜV SÜD Product Service
