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.