Lighting CCC Confirmation Inspection Report: Core Test Items & Compliance Process

To sell lighting products in the Chinese market, obtaining a CCC (China Compulsory Certification) certificate is a statutory market access prerequisite. However, certification is not a one-time effort. To ensure that mass-produced products continue to meet national safety standards after certification, Chinese regulatory requirements mandate a mandatory supervision link—confirmation inspection. For lighting manufacturers, regularly completing and holding valid CCC confirmation inspection reports is the cornerstone of maintaining certificate validity, mitigating market risks, and building brand credibility. This article details the core points and standard processes of confirmation inspection.

I. Confirmation Inspection: A "Regular Health Check" for Production Consistency

Confirmation inspection specifically refers to periodic sampling inspections conducted by manufacturers to verify that their certified products can continuously meet certification standards during subsequent production. Its core lies in "continuous verification."

Key Attributes:

• Inspection Nature: It is a verification test conducted on randomly selected samples from qualified products that have passed the enterprise’s own routine inspection (factory inspection). Samples are sent to qualified independent third-party laboratories for testing in accordance with standards.
• Legal Basis: Explicitly required for certified enterprises under China’s compulsory product certification rules, it is an indispensable part of the enterprise’s quality assurance system.
• Report Types: Mainly divided into CCC confirmation inspection reports (for compulsory certification) and CQC confirmation inspection reports (for voluntary certification). This article focuses on the former.
• Implementation Frequency: Enterprises can conduct inspections based on production batches or fixed time intervals (e.g., quarterly, semi-annually, or annually) according to their quality control plans, but certification rules generally require at least once a year.

In short, confirmation inspection is the key bridge connecting "initial certification compliance" and "long-term production compliance," directly reflecting legal requirements and corporate responsibilities.

II. Detailed Explanation of Six Core Test Items for Lighting CCC Confirmation Inspection

In accordance with the national standard GB/T 7000.1 "Luminaires - Part 1: General Requirements and Tests", confirmation inspection for lighting products typically focuses on the following six core items related to safety and structural consistency:

1. Earthing Continuity (GB/T 7000.1 Clause 7)

• Purpose: Verify a reliable, low-resistance electrical connection between accessible metal parts (e.g., housing) of the luminaire and the earthing terminal. It is the final critical line of defense against electric shock in case of basic insulation failure.
• Test Points: Use an earth resistance tester to apply a specified current between the earthing terminal and each test point, measuring whether the resistance value is below the safety limit specified in the standard (usually 0.5Ω or stricter).

2. Dielectric Strength & Insulation Resistance (GB/T 7000.1 Clause 9.3 & Clause 10)

• Purpose: Comprehensively assess the reliability of the luminaire’s insulation system. Dielectric strength (withstand voltage test) checks the insulation material’s ability to withstand high-voltage shocks; insulation resistance test measures its insulation performance under operating voltage.
• Test Points: Conduct sequentially. For insulation resistance testing, apply a 500V DC voltage between live parts and the housing to measure resistance. For dielectric strength testing, apply a higher AC voltage (e.g., 2U+1000V) for a specified duration—no breakdown or flashover is allowed during the test.

3. Compliance Check of Marking (GB/T 7000.1 Clause 3)

• Purpose: Ensure that markings on the product are durable, clear, accurate, and fully consistent with information in the certified type test report and CCC certificate.
• Test Points: Compare with photos and data in the type test report to verify rated parameters, model number, manufacturer, warning labels, CCC mark, etc., on the product one by one. Check if markings are firmly attached and remain legible after a rub test.

4. Tensile Test (For Luminaires with Cable Glands, GB/T 7000.1 Clause 5.2.10.3)

• Purpose: Evaluate whether the cable gland can effectively absorb tension and torsion on the power cord, preventing loosening of internal wire connections and ensuring long-term electrical connection safety.
• Test Points: Apply tension of specified magnitude, direction, and duration to the power cord using a dynamometer. After the test, the wire displacement within the terminal shall not exceed the limit, and the cable gland shall not loosen.

5. Distance Check Between Ballast/Driver and Mounting Surface (GB/T 7000.1 Clause 4.16.1)

• Purpose: Prevent excessive heat accumulation from key heat-generating components (e.g., ballasts, LED drivers) on the mounting surface, which could ignite flammable supporting materials (e.g., wooden ceilings).
• Test Points: Measure the minimum clearance between the housing of heat-generating components and the luminaire’s mounting surface (or marked mounting surface) to confirm compliance with the minimum gap requirement for thermal protection in the standard.

6. Heat Resistance & Fire Resistance Test (GB/T 7000.1 Clause 13)

• Purpose: Test the high-temperature resistance and flame retardancy of non-metallic materials used in the luminaire (e.g., lampshades, insulating housings, fixing brackets).
• Test Points: Mainly include the ball pressure test (pressing a steel ball at a specified temperature onto the material to test its deformation resistance) and needle flame test (burning the material with a small flame to evaluate its flame retardancy and flame spread). Ensure materials do not pose hazards under abnormal thermal conditions.

III. Standard Application Process: Seven Steps to Obtain a Compliant Report

To efficiently complete confirmation inspection, enterprises can follow this clear process:

1. Test Consultation: Provide product information and confirm inspection standards and items.
2. Business Quotation: The testing institution provides a detailed quotation for fees and cycle based on product models and test items.
3. Submit Application & Materials: Fill out the test application form and provide necessary technical documents, a copy of the CCC certificate, and the type test report.
4. Sample Submission: Randomly select the specified number of samples from qualified products of the current batch and send them to the testing laboratory.
5. Case Initiation: The laboratory verifies samples and materials, formally accepts the application, and initiates the case.
6. Testing Execution: Laboratory engineers conduct complete tests on the samples in accordance with the standard.
7. Report Issuance: After passing the test, the laboratory issues an authoritative CCC Confirmation Inspection Report. If individual items fail, a rectification notice will be issued, and retesting of relevant items will be conducted after the enterprise makes improvements.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can the confirmation inspection report be issued by the enterprise’s own laboratory?

A: No. According to certification rules, confirmation inspection must be completed by an independent third-party testing institution with corresponding qualifications and capabilities to ensure the impartiality and authority of the results.

Q: What are the consequences of missing or failing to conduct confirmation inspection?

A: This directly violates compulsory product certification regulations, potentially leading to the suspension or revocation of the CCC certificate by the certification body. The enterprise will no longer be legally allowed to use the CCC mark, and products will face the risk of being removed from the market.

Q: What is the difference between confirmation inspection and annual factory inspection?

A: Both are post-certification supervision methods but focus on different aspects. Factory inspection mainly reviews quality assurance capabilities and system operation; confirmation inspection directly conducts sampling tests on physical products, serving as direct proof of system effectiveness. The two are complementary.

Conclusion

Ensuring full-cycle compliance of products from initial certification to continuous production is fundamental to stable enterprise operations. Choosing a professional partner can make the compliance journey more efficient and smooth.

GTG Testing Group, as a testing and certification service provider specializing in the lighting industry, not only deeply understands the technical requirements of CCC confirmation inspection but also leverages its comprehensive testing platform and rich project experience to provide enterprises with end-to-end efficient support—from consultation and sample submission to report acquisition. We assist enterprises in solidifying quality foundations and winning market trust.