Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT DOES "CB" (IN THE CB SCHEME) AND "NCB" STAND FOR?
CB stands for Certification Body or Bodies
Another term used in the CB Scheme is NCB which stands for National Certification Body. Within the IECEE, an NCB can operate in a participating country but can have more than one testing laboratory located anywhere in the world.
WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE CB SCHEME?
The IECEE is represented world-wide by IECEE Member Bodies and designated National Certification Bodies within each participating country that will be responsible for recognizing and issuing CB Test Reports and Certificates. Membership in the IECEE is open to certification bodies anywhere in the world that fulfills the requirements of the IECEE Scheme. A full list of IECEE members, NCBs and associated testing laboratories can be found at http://members.iecee.org/
WHAT IS A CB TEST CERTIFICATE?
A CB Test Certificate (CBTC) is a document used in the CB Scheme to provide evidence that representative samples of a product were fully tested for compliance with the requirements of the relevant IEC standards accepted for use in the IECEE, and were found to be in conformity with those standards.
A CBTC in conjunction with a CB Test Report is used as the means for mutual recognition of test results. A CB Test Certificate is valid only when the relevant CB Test Report (in agreed harmonized form) is attached.
WHAT IS A TRF AND WHAT IS A CB TEST REPORT?
A TRF is a blank test report template used in the preparation of a CB Test Report that must be provided together with each CB Test Certificate. The TRF provides an outline of the requirements in the IEC product standard that must be covered in the Test Report, and includes provisions for reporting the results of tests and examinations.
A completed Test Report also contains the information necessary for identification of the product, such as type designation, ratings, description and photographs.
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN TEST REPORT FORMS (TRFs)?
IECEE Members can download the overall TRFs from the IECEE Restricted Area under: http://www.iecee.org/cbscheme/html/cbtrep.htm
Non-IECEE Members can purchase the TRFs through the IEC Webstore at: http://webstore.iec.ch/
WHAT IS A CB SCHEME PRODUCT CATEGORY?
The IEC System for Conformity Testing to Standards for Safety of Electrical Equipment (referred to as the IECEE) is based on the use of specific IEC standards for electrical equipment, accepted for use in the IECEE Scheme. These standards are grouped into 22 product categories, such as OFF (office equipment) or HOUS (household appliances).
WHAT STANDARDS ARE USED IN THE CB SCHEME?
Product categories and specific standard within each category can be accessed at http://members.iecee.org/iecee/ieceemembers.nsf/IECEEScopeInStandard
HOW DO I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IEC STANDARDS?
Information on IEC standards can be obtained by visiting the IEC website and going into the search function.
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN IEC STANDARDS?
IEC standards can be purchased from the IEC Webstore: http://webstore.iec.ch/
Note: Editions of standards that have been superseded by a new edition or that have been withdrawn cannot be ordered on-line. If you still need to obtain a withdrawn or replaced standard, paper copies may still be obtained by contacting the IEC Customer Service at custserv@iec.ch
HOW LONG IS A CB TEST CERTIFICATE VALID?
CB Test Certificates are valid as long as the certified products remain confirm with the initial certification, unless cancelled on the Applicant's request or when the standard used is no longer in use by the country where the Certificate is being presented.
Note: The NCB may challenge the CB Test Certificate when it is more than three years old or when the standard according to which it was issued is no longer in force in the country of the NCB.
WHAT IS THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ONE STANDARD EDITION TO THE NEXT EDITION?
From the IEC point of view, a new edition replaces the old one as soon as it is published.
From the IECEE CB Scheme prospective, where certification of a product is concerned, the testing and certification carried out for the older edition remains valid as long as no changes are made to the product and as long as there are member countries still accepting that edition for their National Certification.
The Manufacturer may at any time, have the product tested and certified for the newer edition.
HOW CAN I IDENTIFY AN ELECTRICAL PRODUCT THAT IS CB SCHEME CERTIFIED?
The Retailer may be asked to provide a copy of the Certificate or ask the Organization (the NCB) that appears on the Rating Plate identified by the certification mark. A list of all NCBs participating in the CB Scheme, as well as their contact information can be found on the IECEE website.
HOW CAN I VERIFY THAT A VALID CB TEST CERTIFICATE WAS PRESENTED BY THE MANUFACTURER?
This can be accomplished by visiting IECEE on-line certificate system
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CE MARK AND A CB TEST CERTIFICATE?
A CB Test Certificate is issued based on third-party testing of products against a published IEC standard, while the CE marking is a regulatory marking required to enter the European market and which constitutes a manufacturer's declaration that the product complies with the "essential requirements" of the relevant European Directives.
HOW CAN A MANUFACTURER OPERATE IN THE CB SCHEME?
Currently, there are several ways for manufacturers to operate in the CB Scheme:
- Supervised Manufacturers' Testing (SMT), for details refer to (CB Scheme Operational Document) OD-2030
- Testing at Manufacturers' Premises (TMP), for details refer to OD-2028
- Witnessed Manufacturer's Testing (WMT), for details refer to OD-2029
An additional general procedure related to the above-mentioned programs is:
- Use of Manufacturers' Test Laboratories: General Principles, OD-CB2027
For Assessment of Manufacturers Test Laboratories, please refer to OD-CB2032
All above documents can be accessed at IECEE Website.
The Manufacturer's Testing Program is currently transitioning to an update program called Third Party Utilization of Customers' Testing Facilities described in OD 2048.
MAY I PRINT THE IECEE LOGO AND/OR NAME, CB SCHEME LOGO AND/OR NAME ON MY PRODUCT?
It is not permitted to make reference to the IECEE or CB Scheme or print the IECEE logo on your product.
