CCC Confirmation Inspection Report for Lighting: Annual Supervision Requirements to Maintain Certificate Validity

After obtaining CCC (China Compulsory Certification) for the first time, annual confirmation inspection (annual supervision inspection) is required to maintain the validity of the certificate. This is a key step to ensure the continuous safety and compliance of lighting products.

01 Understanding the Confirmation Inspection Report

The confirmation inspection report, sometimes referred to as the annual supervision inspection report, refers to the verification inspection conducted annually for lighting products after they obtain CCC certification.

According to relevant regulations, the validity period of a CCC certification certificate is 5 years. However, manufacturing enterprises must accept annual supervision audits during the certificate validity period to maintain the certificate's effectiveness.

The main purposes of this annual inspection are to verify that certified products continue to meet certification requirements, check whether the factory's quality assurance capability continues to meet certification requirements, and confirm whether the product has undergone any unapproved design changes by the certification body.

Unlike the comprehensive testing during initial certification, confirmation inspection usually focuses on key safety items and potential change points, serving as a verification mechanism for continuous compliance.

02 Why Do Lighting Products Need Annual Confirmation Inspection?

As lighting equipment included in China's Catalogue of Compulsory Product Certification, lighting products must obtain CCC certification before being sold domestically. The confirmation inspection is a necessary procedure to maintain the validity of this certificate.

Market supervision authorities conduct random inspections on lighting products in the market every year. Non-compliant products face risks of certificate revocation and fines.

Recent market random inspection data shows that lighting products have a relatively high non-compliance rate. Common issues include non-compliant marking, insufficient creepage distance and clearance, poor fire resistance, and non-compliant electromagnetic compatibility.

Main non-compliant items include:

• Marking Items: Lack of necessary information (e.g., no live/neutral wire marking) or insecurely attached labels.
• Structural Items: No protection around terminal blocks, which may cause the shell to become live.
• Creepage Distance and Clearance: Insufficient distance between live parts and accessible parts, posing an electric shock risk.
• Fire Resistance: Insufficient flame retardancy of insulating materials, which may trigger fires.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Excessive disturbance voltage at power terminals, interfering with other equipment.

The annual confirmation inspection is designed to continuously monitor these key safety indicators, ensuring that lighting products remain safe and reliable throughout their lifecycle.

03 Core Contents of the Confirmation Inspection Report

A complete confirmation inspection report for lighting products should include multiple key elements to verify that the product continuously meets the requirements of national mandatory standards.

Confirmation inspection mainly evaluates the product's safety and EMC indicators, including:

• Safety Items: Marking, structure, creepage distance and clearance, grounding requirements, protection against electric shock, etc.
• EMC Items: Harmonic current limits, insertion loss, disturbance voltage, etc.

According to relevant requirements, the confirmation inspection report should also include a review of the factory's quality assurance capability to ensure consistency between the production line and test samples, as well as the effective operation of the quality control system.

A compliant report should not have omissions (e.g., missing test dates, no test results, or lack of necessary identifiers) or information errors (e.g., inconsistencies between report content and original records, or editing errors in key information).

04 How to Obtain a Valid Confirmation Inspection Report

Obtaining a valid confirmation inspection report requires careful preparation and cooperation from the manufacturing enterprise.

Step 1: Select a Designated Certification Body

Enterprises should first choose a certification body designated by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA) to conduct the confirmation inspection.

Step 2: Prepare Submission Materials

Prepare materials including product samples, technical documents, and factory information.

Step 3: On-Site Factory Inspection

The certification body will send auditors for an on-site factory inspection, usually taking 1-2 person-days. Meanwhile, samples will be selected and sent to a laboratory for key item testing.

Step 4: Factory Inspection Focus

The on-site inspection will focus on verifying the consistency between the production line and originally certified samples, control of key components, and the effectiveness of the quality system operation.

Step 5: Sample Testing Focus

Sample testing will verify safety items that may change over time.

Enterprises need to pay attention to the compliance of the report, ensuring it contains sufficient objective evidence to support conclusions, with accurate and complete information free of errors or inconsistencies.

05 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the relationship between the confirmation inspection report and the annual supervision audit?

A: The confirmation inspection report is a core component of the annual supervision audit. In addition to product confirmation inspection, the annual supervision audit also includes an on-site review of the factory's quality assurance capability.

Q: What is the validity period of the confirmation inspection report?

A: The confirmation inspection report itself is a proof of the annual supervision inspection result, with a validity period of one year. Manufacturing enterprises need to conduct a confirmation inspection every year to maintain the continuous validity of the CCC certificate.

Q: What are the consequences of failing the confirmation inspection?

A: Failing the confirmation inspection may lead to the suspension or revocation of the CCC certificate, making the product unavailable for continued sales. Enterprises may also face penalties from market supervision authorities, including fines.

Q: Is re-confirmation inspection required after product design changes?

A: If the product undergoes key design changes (e.g., changes to the circuit or shell material), enterprises must submit a change application to the certification body, which may require supplementary testing or re-confirmation inspection.

Every line of qualified data in the confirmation inspection report is not only a pass for the renewal of the CCC certificate but also a silent commitment to consumer safety. This annual report, like the regular ticking of a clock, reminds producers of the continuity of their responsibilities.