Qualifications and Compliance

Ensure that your product can be sold and transported in the target market

Assisting You in Overcoming Obstacles to Product Sales

Amazon sellers are well aware that selling products without the necessary certifications can lead to numerous difficulties on the Amazon platform. This includes the risk of having your listing sales privileges temporarily suspended upon detection by Amazon. Additionally, when it comes to shipping, there can be obstacles in customs clearance, along with the potential for your goods to be seized.

EIPEKS has served numerous clients across various product categories, in different regions and on different platforms, ensuring compliance in their sales processes. As a result, we have the confidence to help you swiftly navigate the regulatory requirements for your new products, ensuring that you can bring them to market as quickly as possible.

Product Certification Requirements for Each Country

Products exported to foreign countries need to go through the relevant certification of the importing country. Each country has different certification systems and systems based on their own industry norms. The following will be a detailed introduction to the scope of application of some of the most common certifications in the world:

1. CB Certification (Scope of Application: Global)

IECEE CB system is the first real international system for the mutual recognition of electrical product safety test reports. A multilateral agreement is formed between the National Certification Bodies (NCB) of each country. Manufacturers can rely on a CB test certificate issued by an NCB to obtain national certification of other member states of the CB system. For manufacturers, obtaining CB certificates and CB reports can save the time and cost of applying for other certifications in principle.

2. CE Certification (Scope of Application: EU)

CE mark is a safety mark rather than a quality mark. Is the “main requirement” that forms the core of the European directive. In the EU market, “CE” mark is a mandatory certification mark, whether it is the products produced by enterprises within the EU, or products produced in other countries, if you want to circulate freely in the EU market, you must attach the “CE” mark.

3. FCC Certification (Scope of Application: USA)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government that regulates interstate communications by wire and radio. The FCC Certification refers to the process by which electronic devices are tested and approved to ensure they comply with the FCC’s regulations and standards for electromagnetic interference and radio frequency emissions.

4. A/C - Tick Marks (Scope of Application: Australia)

A/C-Tick is a certification mark issued by the Australian Communications Authority for communications equipment. Sales to consumers A – Tick applies only to communication products, electronic products, mostly apply to C – Tick, electronic products, if apply for A – Tick, however, do not need to apply for the C – other Tick.

5. PSE Certification (Applicable Scope: Japan)

PSE certification is a mandatory safety certification in Japan, used to demonstrate that electrical and electronic products have passed safety standard tests according to Japan’s Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (DENAN Law) or international IEC standards. Japan’s regulations on electrical devices and materials stipulate that 498 types of products entering the Japanese market must undergo safety certification. Among them, 165 Type A products are required to obtain the diamond-shaped PSE mark, while 333 Type B products should obtain the circular PSE mark.

6. ROHS Certification (Scope of Application: EU)

ROHS is a mandatory standard established by the European Union through legislation. It is primarily used to regulate the material and process standards of electronic and electrical products, making them more conducive to human health and environmental protection. The purpose of this standard is to eliminate six substances – lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers – from electrical and electronic products. The standard particularly emphasizes that the lead content must not exceed 0.1%. It encompasses a range of products including household appliances (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, water heaters), consumer electronics (e.g., audio and video products, DVDs, CDs, TV receivers, IT products, digital products, communication products), power tools, electronic torque tools, and medical electronic equipment. Note: When a customer inquires about ROHS certification, it’s important to clarify whether they are referring to finished product ROHS certification or raw material ROHS certification. Some factories cannot achieve finished product ROHS certification, and products with ROHS certification generally cost around 10% to 20% more than ordinary products.

7. UL Certification (Applicable Scope: United States)

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, an abbreviation for a U.S. insurance company testing laboratory. UL Safety Testing Laboratory is one of the most authoritative private institutions in the United States, and globally, engaged in safety testing and certification. It primarily focuses on product safety certification and operational safety proof services, with the ultimate goal of providing the market with products of a significant safety standard, contributing to the assurance of personal health and property safety. It primarily certifies anti-theft and signaling devices, fire and chemical hazard equipment, electrical appliances, fire protection equipment, heating, cooling and air conditioning equipment, water equipment, and more. Note: UL certification is not mandatory for entry into the United States.

8. FDA Certification (Applicable Scope: United States)

The Food and Drug Administration, commonly referred to as FDA, is responsible for ensuring the safety of food, cosmetics, drugs, biologics, medical devices, and radiological products produced or imported for use in the United States. Foreign establishments exporting food to the U.S. must notify the FDA at least 24 hours before arrival at a U.S. port, otherwise, the shipment will be denied entry and held at the port of entry. Note: FDA requires registration, not certification.

9. CCC Certification (Applicable Scope: China)

The full name of 3C certification is “China Compulsory Certification,” abbreviated as CCC in English. It is a product conformity assessment system implemented by the Chinese government to protect consumer safety and national security, strengthen product quality management, and comply with laws and regulations. It is also a fundamental practice widely adopted internationally to protect consumer rights and ensure the safety of consumers’ lives and property. It covers 20 categories of products, including household appliances, automobiles, safety glass, medical devices, wires and cables, toys, and more.

10. CSA Certification (Applicable Scope: Canada)

CSA is an abbreviation for the Canadian Standards Association. CSA is Canada’s largest safety certification organization and one of the world’s most renowned safety certification bodies. It provides safety certification for all types of products, including machinery, construction materials, electrical appliances, computer equipment, office equipment, environmental protection, medical fire safety, sports, and entertainment. CSA has provided certification services for thousands of manufacturers worldwide, and millions of products bearing the CSA mark are sold in the North American market each year.

11. DIN (Applicable Scope: Germany)

DIN is the German Institute for Standardization, serving as the national standardization authority and participating in international and regional non-governmental standardization bodies. The standards developed by DIN cover almost every field including construction, mining, metallurgy, chemistry, electrical engineering, safety technology, environmental protection, health, fire prevention, transportation, household management, and more.

12. BSI (Applicable Scope: United Kingdom)

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is an international standards service provider that integrates five complementary services: standard development, provision of standard technical information, product testing, system certification, and commercial inspection. Certification mainly includes the ‘Kitemark’ certification or BS certification mark, as well as safety certification.

13. EMC = EMI + EMS (Applicable in Certain Countries)

EMC refers to the ability of devices or systems to operate within specified limits in their electromagnetic environment without causing intolerable electromagnetic interference to other devices in that environment. Thus, EMC encompasses two aspects of requirements: on one hand, it signifies that the electromagnetic interference generated by the device during normal operation must not exceed certain prescribed limits in its environment; on the other hand, it indicates that the device must possess a certain level of immunity to the electromagnetic interference present in its environment, known as electromagnetic susceptibility. EMC comprises two major categories: EMI (interference) and EMS (sensitivity, immunity). The following are countries with mandatory certifications: European Union EMC compliance, United States EMI compliance, Australia EMI compliance, South Korea EMI compliance, Canada EMI compliance, and Japan EMI compliance.

14. GS (Applicable Country: Germany)

GS certification is based on the German Product Safety Act (GPGS) and is a voluntary certification conducted according to European Union unified standards EN or German industrial standard DIN. It is a recognized German safety certification mark in the European market. Generally, products with GS certification have a higher selling price and are more popular. This certification applies to a range of products including household appliances, household machinery, sports equipment, home electronics such as audio-visual devices, electrical and electronic office equipment like photocopiers, fax machines, shredders, computers, printers, etc., industrial machinery, experimental measurement equipment, and other safety-related products like bicycles, helmets, ladders, furniture, and more.

15. HACCP (Applicable Countries: Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Denmark, Brazil, etc.)

HACCP, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, is a systematic and rational approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards to ensure the safety of food during production, processing, manufacturing, preparation, and consumption. It is widely adopted in industries such as seafood, poultry, canned foods, frozen vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, cosmetics, and catering. Most of the mentioned countries have mandatory HACCP implementation.

16. GMP (Applicable Countries: Worldwide)

GMP requirements stipulate that pharmaceutical and food production companies should possess proper production equipment, rational manufacturing processes, comprehensive quality management, and rigorous testing systems to ensure the final product quality, including food safety and hygiene, aligns with regulatory standards.

Countries Requiring AMS Application:

USA, Canada, Mexico, Philippines AMS Chinese name 24-hour manifest system/USA Anti-Terrorist Manifest System refers to the cost during foreign trade export and is an international trade expense payment method. AMS must be provided to US Customs 48 hours before the ship’s departure, otherwise, there will be a fine of USD 5000. The AMS fee is 25 USD per ticket, and for modifications, it is 40 USD per ticket. All goods imported to the Philippines must be declared in advance with AMS. In addition to the existing EBS and CIC, the Philippines will also have an additional AMS surcharge.

Ountries Requiring ENS Declaration

ENS, the English abbreviation for ‘Entry Summary Declaration,’ refers to the EU Customs’ Advance Cargo Declaration rule. This rule applies to all 28 EU member states. For all ports of call within the EU, the ENS must be declared whenever a ship docks. ENS fees range from $25 to $35 per bill of lading.

Countries Requiring A Certificate of Origin

Cambodia, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Doha, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Countries Requiring Fumigation and Disinfection for Wooden Packaging

Australia, United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Israel, Brazil, Chile, Panama