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IECEE CB Scheme

The IECEE CB Scheme is an internationally accepted certification programme for electrical and electronic products.

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Key takeaways

The IECEE CB Scheme is an internationally accepted certification programme for electrical and electronic products, operated within the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) System of Conformity Assessment Schemes.
CB stands for Certification Bodies Scheme. You test a product once against IEC standards and the result is recognised across the participating countries.
An approved CB Testing Laboratory carries out the testing, then issues a CB Test Certificate and a CB Test Report.
Those documents let you apply for national certification in other member countries without repeating the tests.
The scheme is used by manufacturers, exporters and OEM suppliers of consumer electronics, IT equipment, industrial electronics, batteries and components.
It cuts duplicate testing, lowers cost and speeds export approval, while giving buyers recognised proof of safety.

Overview

What is the IECEE CB Scheme?

The IECEE CB Scheme is an internationally accepted certification programme for electrical and electronic products. It is operated within the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) System of Conformity Assessment Schemes, and CB stands for Certification Bodies Scheme.

International markets each set their own rules for safety, voltage and testing, so a product that sells freely in one country can fail approval in another. The CB Scheme removes that friction. A product is tested once against the relevant IEC standards, and the resulting report is recognised by the countries that take part in the scheme.

Under the scheme, an approved CB Testing Laboratory tests the equipment to the applicable IEC standard. On passing, the manufacturer receives a CB Test Certificate and a CB Test Report, which can then be used to apply for national certification in other member countries. The scheme is widely used by manufacturers, exporters and OEM suppliers of consumer electronics, IT and audio-video equipment, industrial electronics, batteries and electrical components.

How the CB Scheme works for you

Test once against IEC standards instead of repeating tests in every market.
Receive a CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report from an approved CB Testing Laboratory.
Use those results to support national certification applications abroad.
Cut duplicate testing cost and shorten export timelines.
Give buyers and regulators recognised proof of safety compliance.

Types of CB Scheme certification

The CB Scheme covers a broad range of product categories and certification outputs. The main category codes and document types are set out below.

Type / category	Description / scope
HOUS	Household and similar electrical appliances
IT/AV	Information technology and audio/video equipment
LITE	Lighting equipment and luminaires
MED	Medical electrical equipment, such as hospital devices and diagnostic tools
BATT	Batteries and battery systems
MEAS	Measuring, control and laboratory equipment
CABL	Cables, cords and wiring products
INST	Installation accessories and connection devices
CONT	Switches, circuit breakers and automatic controls
ELVH	Electric vehicle charging equipment
EMC	Electromagnetic compatibility related testing scope
CBTC	CB Test Certificate, the official certification document
CBTR	CB Test Report, the detailed test documentation
CCP	Component Certification Programme for electrical components
ACP	Aspect Certification Programme, covering specific safety aspects of a product

Who it is for

Who needs CB certification

If you make or export electrical and electronic goods and sell across borders, the CB Scheme is usually the fastest route to multi-market acceptance.

Electrical and electronics manufacturers

Producers of finished electrical goods that need recognised safety testing to sell internationally.

Consumer electronics brands

Brands whose products must clear varied national safety rules in each destination market.

Industrial equipment manufacturers

Makers of industrial electrical equipment supplying customers across multiple countries.

Exporters of electrical goods

Exporters that need a single test report accepted across participating markets.

OEM and component suppliers

Suppliers whose buyers expect certified, traceable components and sub-assemblies.

IT hardware manufacturers

Producers of IT and audio-video hardware placing products in global supply chains.

Battery and power supply makers

Manufacturers of batteries, chargers and power supplies subject to strict safety testing.

Lighting and medical device makers

Lighting product manufacturers, and medical electrical equipment makers where applicable.

Why it matters

Why the CB Scheme is worth it

Global markets follow strict safety and performance regulations. Without recognised certification, products often face delays, retesting or outright rejection at the border. For exporters, CB certification is frequently the first step toward entering Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and it turns a slow, market-by-market approval process into a single, harmonised one.

What the CB Scheme gives you

Faster approvals for products entering multiple countries.
Lower testing cost by avoiding repeat tests in each region.
Global acceptance of a single set of test reports.
Easier export expansion into new markets.
Stronger buyer and OEM confidence in your products.
Less duplication of compliance effort and paperwork.

How it works

The CB certification process

The route runs from an internal review, through laboratory testing, to issuance of the CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report.

Internal assessment and classification
Review the product and confirm which IEC standard and product category apply before any testing begins.
Documentation preparation
Assemble the technical file, specifications and drawings needed for testing. A complete file must be ready before samples go to the laboratory.
Product testing in a CB laboratory
An authorised CB Testing Laboratory conducts the safety and performance tests in line with the IEC requirements.
Technical evaluation
Test results are reviewed together with the technical documentation to confirm full compliance.
Issuance of the CB certificate
Once approved, a CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report are issued, enabling national certification applications in other countries.

Paperwork

Documents required

Requirements vary by product and standard, but most CB Scheme applications draw on four groups of documents.

Business documents

Company registration certificate
Brand authorisation
GST or VAT certificate, if applicable
Import and export licence

Testing documents

Sample submission form
Previous test reports, if available
Material details
Component datasheets

Product documents

Technical specification sheet
Product drawings
Circuit diagrams, if applicable
User manual
Model list

Manufacturer documents

Factory profile
Quality control procedures
Production process details

Pitfalls

Common mistakes and risks to avoid

Many applications are delayed by avoidable errors, and selling before you are certified carries real commercial risk.

Common mistakes in CB certification

Wrong IEC standard selection, which makes the test report invalid.
Incomplete technical files, with missing diagrams or specifications.
Non-representative samples that cause test failure.
Model mismatches across documents and samples that trigger rejection.
Late compliance planning that leads to shipment delays.

Risks of selling without CB certification

Market rejection in export destinations.
Higher cost from duplicate testing in different regions.
Shipment delays at customs clearance.
Compliance failure, as non-compliant products face regulatory restrictions.
Loss of buyer trust, since OEMs prefer certified suppliers.
Financial loss from rework, retesting and delays.

Timeline

What affects the certification timeline

There is no single fixed duration. The time to certification depends on the product, the standard, and how ready your documentation and samples are. A well-prepared application improves the probability of a smooth, first-time approval.

Factor	Impact on timeline
Product category	Complex products need longer testing time.
IEC standard	Some standards require extended safety testing.
Testing requirements	Electrical safety, thermal and EMC tests all affect duration.
Sample readiness	Delayed samples slow the whole process down.
Documentation quality	Incomplete files increase review cycles.
Lab availability	The testing queue affects processing time.

Compare

CB Scheme vs national certification vs CE marking

The CB Scheme is a supporting test-report system rather than a substitute for a country’s mandatory approval. It works alongside national certification and CE marking, not in place of them.

Aspect	CB Scheme	National certification	CE marking
Meaning	International test report system	Country-specific approval	EU compliance marking
Scope	Global IEC member countries	Individual country	European Union
Purpose	Test harmonisation	Legal market approval	EU product compliance
Issuing body	CB Testing Laboratories	National authorities	EU manufacturer, by self-declaration
Mandatory	No, it is a support system	Yes, where the country requires it	Mandatory for the EU market

CB Scheme vs general product testing

General product testing only evaluates performance under controlled conditions. CB Scheme testing goes further and confirms that the product meets the international IEC safety standards. A product can pass an internal test yet still fall short of CB requirements if the relevant IEC safety standard is not met, which is why CB certification is important for anything you plan to export.

How Diligence Certifications helps

We support manufacturers, exporters and brands with complete CB Scheme compliance, from the first standard check to certification across multiple countries.

IEC standard identification and product classification.
Documentation preparation and technical review.
Sample coordination and CB laboratory testing support.
Certification guidance for multiple countries.

Planning to export electrical or electronic products?

Tell us about your product range and target markets, and we will map the right IEC standards, documents and CB testing steps to keep your global compliance on track.

Get a free assessment

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the IECEE CB Scheme?

The IECEE CB Scheme is an international certification system that lets manufacturers test electrical and electronic products once and use the resulting CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report to support certification in multiple participating countries. It is operated within the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes, and CB stands for Certification Bodies Scheme.

Who needs IECEE CB Scheme certification?

Manufacturers, exporters and OEM suppliers of electrical and electronic goods use the scheme, including makers of consumer electronics, IT and audio-video equipment, industrial equipment, batteries, lighting and components. It is most valuable for anyone selling into more than one international market.

What is the difference between a CB Test Certificate and a CB Test Report?

The CB Test Report contains the detailed test data and results, while the CB Test Certificate is the official document confirming that the product was tested to the relevant IEC standard. Together they are used to support national certification applications in other member countries.

What documents are required for CB Scheme certification?

Typical documents include company registration and brand authorisation, GST or VAT and import-export details, a technical specification sheet, product drawings and circuit diagrams, the user manual and model list, sample submission forms and any previous test reports, plus factory and quality-control information. Exact requirements depend on the product and the applicable IEC standard.

How is the CB Scheme different from CE marking?

The CB Scheme is an international test-report system issued by CB Testing Laboratories and accepted across IEC member countries. CE marking is a compliance marking specific to the European Union, and national certification is a country-specific legal approval. The CB Scheme supports these approvals rather than replacing them.

How long does CB Scheme certification take?

There is no fixed duration. The timeline depends on the product category, the applicable IEC standard, the testing required, sample readiness, documentation quality and laboratory availability. Preparing a complete technical file and representative samples in advance is the best way to avoid delays.

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