The CB certification of electrical products: CB Scheme, or "CB Scheme" or "Certification Body Scheme", also called OC System for Certification Body in French, is an international certification system set up by the IECEE (IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components).
It is managed by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

Its principle is the mutual acceptance between its members of test reports and certificates related to the safety of electrical and electronic components, equipment, and products.

The CB Scheme / OC System therefore makes it possible to validate the conformity of a product to the requirements of international standards relating to electrical and electronic products.

A true passport for product conformity, it makes the various international markets accessible by obtaining several international certification marks by carrying out only one test campaign (reduction of associated costs and deadlines, pooling of tests): one-stop-shop.

This certification is therefore aimed at any manufacturer of electrical / electronic equipment wishing to export internationally.
Without the CB Scheme, the manufacturer would generally have to carry out a test campaign for each targeted market.

CB Scheme Certification: how does it work?

To be issued an international OC/CB Scheme certificate for its electrical or electronic products, the applicant must be certified by a certification body registered by the IECEE (IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components).

This certification body (NCB: National Certification Body) is authorized to issue CB / OC test reports and certificates of conformity for electrical and electronic products, recognized by all members of the IECEE (main global markets).

These CB certificates constitute true passports for CB Scheme certified products on international markets.

Steps and process

Here are the details of the CB Scheme certificate application process step by step:

1. Preparation of an application file with Apave Certification: it generally takes the form of a technical questionnaire that will be sent to you by the commercial department of Apave Certification.
It includes information on the applicant, the manufacturer of the electrical or electronic products, the standards applicable to the products concerned, and the list of countries where you wish to market said products.

2. Return of the quote and test planning

3. Carrying out tests and evaluations by the CBTL (Certification Body Testing Laboratory)

4. Submission of the test report (Test Report Form) and CB Scheme certification decision

5. Issuance of the CB certificate by the NCB Apave Certification

Specific cases of evolution of an existing CB certificate :

There are 3 cases in which a CB Scheme certificate can undergo an evolution:

A new edition or an amendment to the applicable standard that leads to the issuance of a new CB certificate

If your administrative information has changed (address, company name, product designation, etc.), then you must request a modification of your CB certification from Apave Certification.

The modified certificate will then be issued to you again with the same reference number and a revision index.

If the product has undergone technical modifications (3 modifications maximum), then you must also request a modification of your CB Scheme certificate. If the number of technical modifications exceeds 3, a new CB certificate with a new reference number must be issued.