Circular Relevant to the Implementation of
the Compulsory Product Certification System
by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of
the People's Republic of China (CNCA)

December 3, 2001

The Compulsory Product Certification System (CPCS) is jointly announced for statutory implementation by the State General Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ) and the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA). This new system consists of Regulations for Compulsory Product Certification, Regulations for Compulsory Product Certification Mark, and the First Catalogue of Products Subject to Compulsory Certification (hereinafter referred to as the Catalogue), and so on. The Old System, namely, the Safety License System for Import Commodities administered by the former State Administration for Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (CIQ), and the Compulsory Supervision System for Product Safety Certification administered by the former China State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision (CSBTS), will be replaced. The following circular is announced concerning the transition from the Old System to the New System.

1. The time when the New System is implemented and the Old System is annulled

Regulations for Compulsory Product Certification stipulates that the New System be implemented on May 1, 2002 and the Old System be annulled on May 1, 2003 so as to ensure a smooth transition and an effective safeguard of the legitimate rights and interests of all the parties concerned.

2. Supervision of products applicable to either the New System or the Old System

2.1)
Starting from May 1, 2003, the Catalogue products either marketed by domestic manufacturers or imported must obtain the certificate for compulsory product certification (hereinafter referred to as the New Certificate) and be applied China Compulsory Certification mark (hereinafter referred to as the New Mark) before they are imported or marketed.

2.2)
Starting from May 1, 2003, the sales outlets or importers are not permitted to purchase, import or sell the Catalogue products that do not bear the New Certificate and the New Mark. Whereby the Catalogue products that are purchased or imported before April 30, 2003 and bear either the Import Safety License and CCIB Mark or the Safety Certificate and the Great Wall Mark (hereinafter referred to as the Old Certificate and the Old Mark) may still be sold under the supervision of the AQSIQ local branches with which such products are filed.

2.3)
Starting from May 1, 2003, if the Catalogue products that have obtained the New Certificate and the New Mark need continue to use the outer packing applied with the Old Mark, they can be marketed or imported only when the New Mark is applied along with the Old Mark.

2.4)
Prior to April 30, 2003, the Catalogue products for which the Old Certificate and the Old Mark is compulsory can be marketed or imported by either the Old Certificate and the Old Mark or the New Certificate and the New Mark.

2.5)
Starting from May 1, 2002, with regard to products for which the Old Certificate and the Old Mark was compulsory but being no longer covered by the Catalogue this time, the Old Certificate and the Old Mark will not be required when they are marketed or imported.

3. The acceptance of the certification application

3.1)
Starting from May 1, 2002, the certification bodies designated by CNCA (hereinafter referred to as DCBs) begin to accept applications for the New Certificate and the New Mark relevant to the Catalogue products and will no longer accept applications for the Old Certificate and the Old Mark.

3.2)
Prior to April 30, 2002, the Catalogue products for which the Old Certificate and the Old Mark is compulsory may continue to apply for the Old Certificate and the Old Mark.

4. Supplements

4.1)
With regard to the Catalogue products for which the application has already been filed but the Old Certificate is yet to be granted, or for which the Old Certificate has been granted, the New Certificate and the New Mark can be granted upon further application by the applicant and the confirmation of the product's qualification by the DCB.

4.2)
The cost incurred for the New Certificate and the New Mark referred to in 4.1 will be borne by the applicant based on the actual items required according to the fee chart of the New System.