China prepares to implement mandatory certifications

China will start to implement mandatory certification for lithium-ion battery products starting from August 1 this year, despite calls from South Korea to defer such applications for South Korean companies.

According to an announcement provided by the State Administration for Market Regulation to China Daily, China will implement CCC certification management for lithium-ion batteries, battery packs, and mobile power supplies from August 1, 2023.

CCC stands for China Compulsory Certificate. Certain product groups must have a CCC certificate before they can be exported to China.

Starting from August 1, 2024, those who have not obtained the CCC certification are not allowed to leave the factory, sell, import or use in any business activity, the market regulator said.

The move came as the South Korea Agency for Technology and Standards, which is under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, called on China to give a grace period to South Korean companies regarding such certifications.

South Korea has made the request to help its companies better adjust to the changing rules during a committee meeting on technical batteries to trade under the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) held in Beijing in May, the Korea Times reported.

China also asked the Seoul government to ease the South Korea certification regulations on its electric items, the report quoting the ministry said.