IECEE CB Test

IECEE CB Test - CB Certification

The test provides an excellent conformity assessment platform for manufacturers wanting to trade in global markets and whose products need to demonstrate third party conformity to relevant standards.

IECEE CB Test

The organisation that runs the CB Test is the International Electrotechnical Commission or IEC.  Participating members of the Scheme must adhere to the rules of the IECEE or IEC System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment.  The official name of the CB Scheme is "Scheme of the IECEE for Mutual Recognition of Test Certificates for Electrical Equipment" and the commonly used acronym CB Test simply means "Certification Bodies' Test".

Therefore the CB Test is a multilateral agreement amongst participant countries and certification organisations that utilises a CB Test Certificate and Report issued by one of the member organisations.  It covers electrical and electronic products under IEC Standards that have been accepted by IECEE for use within the Scheme.  The products are tested to these standards and often also to the declared national differences of the various member countries.  National deviations are special requirements that the IECEE allows each country to adopt in order to address local safety concerns.

International CB Test network

Currently, the CB Test network comprises of approximately 60 product certification organisations, known as National Certification Bodies (NCBs) and over 140 Certification Body Testing Laboratories (CBTLs) in 43 countries. These are spread throughout America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa.  Additionally CB Certificates are accepted in most regions, even in many non-member countries.

After successful testing, TRaC customers can obtain the CB Test Certificates and Reports which are the basis for getting the national certification marks in the different member countries.

Certification Body Testing Laboratories (CBTLs) in 43 countries participating in the CB Scheme as follows:

Australia, France, Netherlands, South Africa, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Belarus, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, India, Portugal, Thailand, Brazil, Ireland, Republic of Korea, Turkey, Canada, Israel, Romania, Ukraine, China, Italy, Russia, United States, Czech Republic, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, Denmark, Malaysia, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, Mexico, Slovenia

A single submission provides multiple rewards

Expertise

Being a CBTL as well as an NCB, TRaC may participate in the meetings organised by the Committee of Testing Laboratories (CTL).  The CTL covers test procedures, interpretations of requirements / specifications and specification of test equipment.  It also embraces comparison testing or proficiency testing, with the purpose of promoting technical confidence and consistency to facilitate acceptance of test results amongst the CB members.

With our access to these meetings and in other committee activities (e.g. European LVD Notified Body Forum) the know-how of TRaC's staff is continually being updated.

Benefits

Time reduction:

The CB Test rules of procedure allows for the testing to be conducted at a single location and these results to then be accepted by the receiving body.  If you choose TRaC as your primary testing laboratory and certifier, in general no further testing will be required once TRaC has issued a CB Test Certificate. 

Reduced hassle:

The process for obtaining certification marks in foreign countries becomes straightforward, as the CB Test Certificate and Report allows you to deal directly with the NCBs of all participating countries.

Bespoke solutions:

TRaC can offer you combined services for testing and certification based on the CB Test procedures (IEC Standards), European standards (EN and European Directives) and the UL Standards (leading to NRTL Certification by MET Labs).

Flexibility:

The CB Test Certificate does not require a specific factory inspection to be a part of the certification as many other schemes do.  Although, should you wish it can be used as the basis for obtaining the TRaC Certification Mark and in this case, an annual factory inspection will apply.

Product categories covered by TRaC

• IT and office equipment
• Measuring instruments and laboratory equipment
• Safety transformers and similar equipment        
• Audio and visual entertainment equipment    

How the CB certification works

Step 1, Apply in the UK

The applicant (manufacturer or authorised representative) approaches TRaC and submits a representative sample of a product and its related documentation. Next the testing takes place. Upon successful completion of the testing, the CB Report and Certificate are issued. TRaC also offers the applicant the option of a factory inspection to ensure continuous compliance.  Where this option is selected the TRaC Mark may also be affixed to the product (TRaC Scheme rules apply).

Step 2, For other countries

In order to obtain a national certification mark in a second country, the applicant submits both the CB Certificate and Report to the NCB in the target country.  This National Certification Body may request a product sample.  Upon successful review of the documentation and/or product the NCB will issue the applicant with the national certification mark.

Important facts

The Test Report and Certificate received from TRaC will dramatically minimise the need for additional testing.  TRaC will perform the tests of your products according to the applicable IEC Standard including any national differences that may be required for the countries in which you want to market your product.

A CB Test Certificate always accompanies a CB Test Report.  Both documents must be used when applying to different National Certification Bodies for the use of their national certification marks.

How to get started with CB Certification

Initiating the process is simple, you will need:

• A description of your product including illustrations, schematics, wiring diagrams, a copy of the marking plate and any relevant product information.
• A list of the countries that you want to market your product in, together with the name and address of the company responsible for the product and a list of manufacturing locations.

TRaC will provide you with necessary contracts and test your products according to the applicable IEC Standards and national differences, if required.