How Do I Get My Product Tested Against GB Standards in China?
Getting your product tested against Chinese national standards (GB standards, 国家标准, Guójiā Biāozhǔn) is a multi-step process that requires understanding which standards apply to your product, selecting the right accredited testing laboratory, preparing samples and documentation, and interpreting the test results within the context of your larger China market access strategy. This guide provides a complete walkthrough of the GB testing process — from standards identification to obtaining a formal test report — for foreign manufacturers entering the Chinese market.
Step 1: Identify Which GB Standards Apply to Your Product
Before any testing can begin, you must determine which GB standards govern your product category. China’s standards system has three tiers relevant to product certification:
| Standard Type | Prefix | Mandatory Status | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory National Standard | GB (强制性国家标准, Qiángzhìxìng Guójiā Biāozhǔn) | Mandatory — compliance is legally required | GB 4943.1-2022 (Safety of IT equipment) |
| Recommended National Standard | GB/T (推荐性国家标准, Tuījiànxìng Guójiā Biāozhǔn) | Voluntary unless referenced by a mandatory standard or regulation | GB/T 9254.1-2021 (EMC emissions) |
| Compulsory Certification Standard | Referenced by CCC catalogue | Mandatory — part of the CCC implementation rules | GB 7000.1-2015 (Luminaires — general safety) |
How to find the right GB standards for your product:
- Check the CCC Product Catalogue (强制性产品认证目录描述与界定表, published by CNCA) — if your product is in the CCC scope, the associated implementation rules (实施规则, shíshī guīzé) specify exactly which GB standards apply
- Use the National Standards Information Service — openstd.samr.gov.cn (SAC’s official database, 国家标准化管理委员会, Guójiā Biāozhǔnhuà Guǎnlǐ Wěiyuánhuì). Search by product name in Chinese or English keywords
- Consult a testing lab — CNCA-designated laboratories (listed at www.cnca.gov.cn) provide preliminary standards identification services, often free of charge as part of their sales process
- Use the CQC Product Standards Portal — www.cqc.com.cn lists the standards matrix for common product categories, cross-referenced to IEC standards
Step 2: Select a CNCA-Designated Testing Laboratory
Testing must be performed by a laboratory designated by CNCA (CNCA-designated lab, 指定实验室, zhǐdìng shíyànshì). Accreditation by ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) alone is insufficient — the lab must hold specific CNCA designation for your product category. There are approximately 200 CNCA-designated labs across 31 provinces in China. The major categories include:
| Lab Name | Location | Key Product Specializations |
|---|---|---|
| CQC Testing Laboratory (中国质量认证中心检测实验室) | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou | Electrical products, home appliances, lighting, IT equipment, cables, automotive |
| CESI (中国电子技术标准化研究院) | Beijing, Shenzhen | Information technology, electronic components, AV equipment, EMC |
| CCIC (中国检验认证集团) | Multiple cities + overseas offices | Consumer goods, food contact, toys, chemicals |
| CTI (华测检测认证集团, Huá Cè Jiǎncè Rènzhèng Jítuán) | Shenzhen (HQ) + 50+ branches | Wide scope: electronics, chemicals, textiles, food, cosmetics, machinery |
| Intertek China (天祥集团, Tiānxiáng Jítuán) | Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin | Electrical safety, EMC, toys, textiles, chemicals — Intertek is also an IECEE NCB |
| TÜV Rheinland China (莱茵技术, Láiyīn Jìshù) | Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing | Industrial machinery, automotive, PV, medical devices, EMC |
| SGS China (通标标准技术服务) | Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Dalian | Consumer goods, food, chemicals, textiles, electrical, automotive |
For foreign manufacturers, labs with international branches (CCIC, TÜV Rheinland, Intertek, SGS, Bureau Veritas) offer the advantage of sample handling at local offices — you can drop samples at their overseas location for consolidated shipment to their Chinese testing facilities.
Step 3: Prepare Samples and Documentation
Product testing typically requires the following:
Samples:
- Minimum 3–5 production-representative samples (more if the product has multiple variants or configurations)
- Samples must be from the current production line, not hand-built prototypes — the lab checks for production consistency
- Provide a Bill of Materials (BOM) listing all components, materials, and their suppliers
Required documentation:
- Product specification sheet (user manual, technical datasheet) in Chinese or English
- Circuit diagrams and PCB layout (for electrical/electronic products)
- Component certifications (e.g., UL, VDE, CB certificates for critical components like power cords, switches, relays)
- Factory quality system certificate (ISO 9001 preferred, though not mandatory)
- Labeling and marking details — product labels must include the manufacturer’s name, model number, and technical parameters per GB standard requirements
Shipping samples to China:
Samples can be shipped directly to the Chinese laboratory via international courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS). Most major labs have dedicated customs clearance procedures for test samples — the samples should be marked “Test Samples — No Commercial Value, For Certification Purpose Only” (测试样品 — 无商业价值, 仅用于认证目的, Cèshì Yàngpǐn — Wú Shāngyè Jiàzhí, Jǐn Yòng Yú Rènzhèng Mùdì). Some labs also accept samples dropped at their overseas branches for consolidated shipment to China.
Step 4: The Testing Process
Once the lab receives your samples and documentation, the testing process follows a standard workflow:
- Document review (1–2 weeks) — the lab checks your documentation for completeness. Missing component certifications or incomplete BOM are the most common delays at this stage
- Sample inspection (2–3 days) — physical inspection of samples: marking, labeling, construction, dimensions
- Type testing (3–8 weeks) — the core testing phase. Duration depends on the number of standards and test items. Electrical safety testing typically takes 3–4 weeks; EMC testing adds 2–3 weeks; chemical testing (for toys, food contact) adds 2–4 weeks
- Deviation notification (if applicable) — if the product fails certain test items, the lab issues a deviation report and you may need to modify the product and submit revised samples for retesting
- Test report issuance (1–2 weeks) — the formal GB test report (型式试验报告, xíngshì shìyàn bàogào) is issued in both Chinese and English. The report is valid for 2–5 years depending on the standard
Testing costs (typical ranges):
| Product Category | Estimated Testing Cost (RMB) | Estimated Timeline (weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Small household appliance (e.g., coffee maker) | 25,000–45,000 | 6–8 |
| IT/AV equipment (e.g., power adapter) | 30,000–55,000 | 6–10 |
| Lighting product (LED lamp, luminaire) | 28,000–50,000 | 6–8 |
| Toys (chemical + mechanical testing) | 35,000–70,000 | 8–12 |
| Automotive component (e.g., seat belt) | 60,000–150,000 | 10–16 |
| Industrial machinery | 80,000–200,000 | 12–20 |
Step 5: Using the Test Report for Certification
The GB test report serves different purposes depending on your product’s certification pathway:
- For CCC certification — the GB test report is submitted to the certification body (e.g., CQC) together with the factory audit documentation. The CB reviews the report and issues the CCC certificate
- For voluntary certification (自愿认证, zìyuàn rènzhèng) — GB/T testing supports voluntary certification marks (CQC mark, China Energy Label (中国能效标识, Zhōngguó Néngxiào Biāoshì)) that differentiate your product in the market
- For customs clearance only — some products require GB testing documentation for customs release even when they do not fall under the CCC catalogue. Customs verifies the report against the declared tariff code
Pitfalls to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
Can GB testing be done at an overseas lab?
Only for a limited scope. CNCA recognizes specific overseas labs for specific product categories under the CB Scheme (see FAQ-016 for details). For most products, testing against GB standards must be performed in China by a CNCA-designated lab.
How do I know if my product needs GB testing or full CCC certification?
Check the CCC Product Catalogue. If your product category is listed, you need CCC certification (which requires GB testing). If it is not listed, GB testing is still advisable for customs clearance and liability protection, through voluntary certification pathways.
How long is a GB test report valid?
Typically 3 years, but validity depends on the specific GB standard. If the standard is revised during the test report’s validity period, the report becomes obsolete when a mandatory transition date passes. Check the standard’s effective date and transition period when the report is issued.
Can I use a test report from one lab to apply to different certification bodies?
Yes. A GB test report from any CNCA-designated lab is accepted by all CCC certification bodies. However, some certification bodies may request supplementary testing if their internal procedures require specific test parameters not covered in the original report.
What if my product fails GB testing?
You receive a deviation report listing the non-conforming items. You have two options: (1) modify the product design to meet the standard and submit revised samples for retesting of the failed items only (cost: 30–50% of full testing), or (2) accept the deviation and apply for a certificate with restricted scope (not applicable for CCC).
Do I need to send samples to China for every product variant?
No. A single “parent model” can be tested and certified, with “series models” (系列型号, xìliè xínghào) covered under the same test report if the differences are non-safety-critical (color, packaging, labeling). This can save 40–60% on testing costs for product families.
What language should the test documentation be in?
Test documentation can be in Chinese or English. Most CNCA-designated labs accept English documentation for the technical review. The formal test report is issued in both Chinese and English (bilingual format).
Can I observe the testing process?
Most labs allow the applicant or their authorized representative to observe critical test items, particularly those where the product’s performance is uncertain. Witness testing (目击测试, mùjī cèshì) typically requires a signed confidentiality agreement and advance scheduling. Some labs charge a RMB 1,000–3,000 witness fee per test day.
Is GB testing the same as CCC testing?
No. GB testing produces a test report verifying compliance with specific GB standards. CCC certification is the broader conformity assessment procedure that includes GB testing PLUS factory inspection PLUS ongoing surveillance. GB testing is a necessary but not sufficient condition for CCC certification.
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