The Concept

As national economies become global, it’s increasingly important that countries work together to facilitate international trade. The IECEE CB Scheme, established by the International Electrotechnical Committee for Conformity Testing to Standards for Electrical Equipment (IECEE), provides a means for the mutual acceptance of test reports among participating safety certification organisations in certain product categories. The “CB Scheme” is an international network made up of product certification organisations in more than 38 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

The main objective of the Scheme is to facilitate trade by promoting harmonisation of the national Standards with international Standards and cooperation among product certifiers worldwide in order to bring product manufacturers a step closer to the ideal concept of “one product, one test”.

Each participating country has one or more organisations accepted by the IECEE as National Certification Bodies (NCBs). A manufacturer utilizing a CB test report issued by one of these organisations can obtain national product certification in all other member countries of the CB Scheme.

The Scheme is based on the use of international (IEC) Standards. If some members’ national Standards are not yet completely harmonized with IEC Standards, national differences are permitted if clearly declared to all other members.

The CB Scheme utilizes CB Test Certificates to attest that product samples have successfully passed the appropriate tests and are in compliance with the requirements of the relevant IEC Standard and with the published national differences of various member countries.

The CB Scheme helps you receive international product recognition and national product safety certifications, even in non-CB member countries!
Because you work through only one NCB, the CB Scheme offers you an efficient way of having your products investigated according to IEC standards and National Differences of participating countries in which you intend to market your products.

Here’s how it works
UL will test your product to the applicable IEC harmonized standard(s) and to any National Differences required for the countries in which you want to market your product. UL will then issue a CB Test Certificate and a CB Test Report that your can use to obtain national certifications. You must still apply to the NCBs in your target countries for national certifications. Please note that NCBs have the right to request product samples or ask manufacturers to develop additional data. The CB Test Certificate and associated CB Test Report you receive from UL will minimize the need for additional testing.

National Differences are special requirements that the IECEE CB Scheme permits each country to adopt to address local safety concerns. UL keeps up to date with the National Differences of CB Scheme member countries so your products are evaluated to the most current requirements of the countries you target. Additional information can be found on the CB Scheme Web site at www.cbscheme.org and also in a publication titled the "CB Bulletin," issued by the IECEE. To order, contact Global Engineering Documents.

How to apply for CB Scheme evaluation
Initiating the process is simple. You’ll need to provide UL with three basic pieces of information:

• A description of your product, including illustrations, schematics, wiring diagrams, a copy of the marking plate and any appropriate product information.
• A list of countries where you want to market your product.
• The name and address of the company responsible for the product, and a list of manufacturing locations.

Please send this information your nearest UL office. Our staff will then provide you with the necessary contracts and an estimate of the total cost.

Once we receive the signed contracts, any additional requested information and samples, your product will be evaluated to the applicable IEC standard and the National Differences of the countries of your choice. Once UL has complete our evaluation, UL will issue a CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report.