CB Scheme

The IECEE CB scheme, or CB scheme for short, is an international system for the mutual recognition of test results and certificates relating to the safety of electrical and electronic components, operating equipment and products. It is based on a multilateral agreement between participating countries and certification organizations. The primary aim of the IECEE CB scheme is to facilitate international trading of electrotechnical products by offering manufacturers a simpler way to obtain country-specific certificates around the world.

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) uses the term IECEE to describe its "IEC System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical and Electronic Components, Equipment and Products". “CB” simply stands for "Certification Body".

The CB scheme is based on international IEC standards. Where national standards are not fully harmonized with IEC standards, national regulatory requirements and special national conditions can be considered in the CB scheme. This is only possible if they have been formally declared to the IECEE secretariat and submitted in detail for further publication.

Any country that is a member of the IEC can nominate its national certification bodies for the CB scheme. This assumes that the national standards in that country have been harmonized with the IEC standards. Any deviations from or differences to the IEC standards must be publicly declared and submitted to the IECEE secretariat for publication. In addition, every national certification body (NCB) must submit an application for recognition of the specific IEC standards that it wishes to apply as part of the CB scheme. Every applicant is assessed on site by a team consisting of experts employed by members (NCBs and CBTLs) to verify compliance with the requirements stated in ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17025 respectively. IECEE currently has over 50 member bodies and around 500 CB testing laboratories (CBTLs). A CBTL is a test lab that is recognized according to the CB scheme and is therefore permitted to perform testing and issue CB test reports for one or more product categories.

We are represented with four NCBs in Germany, Hungary, the USA and Japan and also have over 60 CBTLs around the world, also close to you.

A manufacturer of electrotechnical products or their representative applies to an NCB for product certification in line with the CB scheme. A CBTL tests product samples for conformity with the applicable IEC standards. If the products comply with the applicable IEC standards, the CBTL issues a test report, and the NCB issues a CB test certificate based on that test report.

Manufacturers can ask the NCB to perform additional product tests in order to obtain the certification marks required by their products in different target markets. If the manufacturer already has CB certificates and test reports, any other NCB that participates in the CB scheme and recognizes these CB certificates can offer further tests on the basis of these certificates if such tests are required before products can be brought to market.

As long-term members of the IECEE CB scheme we have extensive experience and expertise regarding country-specific regulatory requirements.

The CB scheme offers many advantages, particularly to manufacturers that export their products to countries participating in the CB scheme. They can choose an NCB, have a single NCB perform product testing and any additional testing required before products can be launched on additional target markets, and use CB test reports and certificates to obtain country-specific certification marks.

NCBs participating in the CB scheme are also encouraged to give priority to certification applications based on existing CB certificates. Certifications based on the CB scheme therefore cost less time and money.

The CB scheme covers a wide range of products: IT and office equipment, domestic consumer electronics and appliances, lighting systems, measuring equipment and electrical medical devices. We offer CB scheme safety testing and EMC testing for the following electrical product groups as categorized by IECEE.

• IT and office equipment e.g. IEC 60950, IEC 60825, IEC 62368
• Electronics, entertainment e.g. IEC60065, IEC 60950, IEC 62368
• Household and similar equipment e.g. IEC 60335
• Batteries e.g. IEC 62133
• Lighting e.g. IEC 60598, IEC 61347
• Electrical equipment for medical use IEC 60601
• Measurement, Control and Laboratory equipment IEC61010
• Electromagnetic Compatibility e.g. CISPR14, IEC 60601 etc.
• Safety transformers and similar equipment IEC 61558
• Portable tools e.g. IEC 60745
• Miscellaneous e.g. IEC 60825
• Installation accessories and connection devices e.g. IEC 60884, IEC 60309, IEC 61058
• Switches for appliances and automatic controls for electrical household appliances e.g. IEC 60730
• Photovoltaics e.g. IEC 61730
• Installation protective equipment e.g. IEC 60898
• Low voltage, high power switching equipment e.g. IEC 60947
• Cables and Cords
• Industrial Automation e.g. IEC 60204
• Electrical Vehicle
• Capacitors as components
• Energy Efficiency
• Hazardous Substances
• Electric Toys

CE Marking and CB certificates are completely different issues:

The CE marking is a self-declaration of the manufacturer that his products comply with all applicable legal regulations set by the European market. The manufacturer or their registered representative in the European Union applies the CE marking and thereby takes full responsibility declaring that the product complies with all applicable requirements of EU law respectively European Directives.

As part of the CB scheme, an NCB in the role of an independent third party checks that the electrotechnical product complies with the applicable and published IEC standards.

Dealers and importers can provide a copy of the CB certificate. A list of all NCBs participating in the CB scheme can be found on the website of the IECEE.