Magazine • An overview on Chinese GB standards
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An overview on Chinese GB standards

To enter and grow in the Chinese market, testing and certification standards can be very important. An overview of Chinese GB standards.

As the world's second-largest economy, China is currently one of the most sought-after markets, especially for Western companies. In order to enter this market effectively, manufacturers need to be aware of relevant testing standards required for their products. One of the most important standards groups is the GB standards.

What are Chinese GB standards?

The Standards Administration of China (SAC), which is part of the Chinese ISO and IEC committee, develops Chinese GB (Guobiao standards) or GB/T standards, where 'T' means 'recommended'. It is important to mention that obligatory standards are prefixed with 'GB'. Recommended standards are prefixed with 'GB/T'.

Why is it important to comply with GB standards?

No matter if the product is domestic or imported, all products in China are required to comply with GB standards; any product sold in China must be tested to ensure compliance with GB standards. For exporting your products or services to the Chinese market, you need to understand and be alert to the complexities and requirements under the vast range of GB standards. You need to make sure they meet the requirements of GB China national standards. A failure to comply with GB standards can lead to either the rejection of products during importation or the seizure of those products in stores, affecting the reputation and costs of retailers and manufacturers.

What are the main organizations of the GB Standards System?

In China, it is administered at the top by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and headed primarily by the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC). A significant amount of additional input is provided by public and private sector organizations as well. According to the official GB standards website, the main relevant organizations include:

  • Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC)
  • China Association of Standardization (CAS)
  • China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS)
  • General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ)
  • Standards Press of China (SPC)

Where can you find reliable sources for information about GB standards?

China's Standard Press (SPC) is the official publisher of Chinese national standards, industrial standards, standard compilations, as well as scientific and technical publications concerning standardization, quality control, and quality supervision. All the standards have English titles and Chinese (Mandarin) content. You can either access the database of GB standards on the ANSI Webstore or at the official website of the China National Standards Service Centre. You can also browse selected standards pages on testxchange, which may offer you a direct link to the respective standard purchase page of SPC. This is made possible by an official cooperation agreement between testxchange and SPC.

GB standards and CCC

In addition to GB standards, the CCC system is another important factor in conformity. Mandatory certification in China applies to both domestic and imported products. The CCC mark of quality has been in effect since 2003 and is a combination of two inspection systems and their procedures - CCIB (in effect since 1989, covering 47 product categories) and CCEE (covering 7 types of electrical goods). As a way of putting things into perspective, the CE marking on European products is similar to the CCC marking in China. Find more details about CCC and other relevant certifications for the Chinese market here, as well as an interview with the Managing Director of CCIC Europe-Testing S.L. in Barcelona.

How do you get started with the testing process?

Once you have completed your initial research and found out which GB standards apply to your products, you can simply submit a free request using the testxchange online platform to get advice from experts about Chinese testing, certification, and type approval. testxchange can support you to get the necessary reports and certificates according to your product features.