On January 7, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China (SAMR) issued the Notice on Adjustment of Certification Models of Several Product Categories in the CCC Catalogue (hereinafter referred to as “the Notice”) to announce a significant switch in China Compulsory Certification (CCC) scheme, requiring the certification model for several product categories should change from self-declaration to third-party certification since 2027.

CCC scheme is one of the most significant market access measures of China, if not the most significant, as its overage ranges from a variety of electronic and electrical products (EEP) to automotive and its components etc. therefore is connected with a wide range of sectors. CCC has been known to have three certification models, namely third-party certification, self-declaration model A (apply to the products with stable quality and low safety risks) and self-declaration model B (to the products with high safety risks), and each of the product categories covered in the CCC catalogue is assigned to one of the three models. The product categories that are announced in the Notice include a total of 16 types under 5 major categories (hereinafter referred to as “the 16 product types”) for the switch to third-party certification, and specifically:

The mark “*” means the category used to subject to self-declaration model A, and those with “**” means it used to subject to self-declaration model B.

The Notice also provides a clear timetable for the certification switch:

·         From July 1, 2026, the accredited certification bodies (which will be announced later time) will start the CCC certification service of the aforementioned 16 types of products, and self-declarations for these products are not allowed anymore.

·         Before December 31, 2026 (December 31 of 2026 is included), the manufacturers/relevant parties of the 16 product types must finish the switch and ensure all products are certified by third party. More implementation details, including the final version implementation rules (a notification draft was shared in the WTO TBT platform), the list of certification bodies that are qualified to deliver certification services, and the detailed requirements for such certification, are expected to be disclosed in the first half of 2026. Relevant stakeholders, especially manufacturers, are advised to closely follow up the future announcements and updates from relevant regulators, and it is also necessary to be in touch with top certification bodies in China as they are likely to obtain and develop the latest information on practical requirements and arrangements.