What is the IECEE CB Scheme?
Operated by the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechical Equipment and Components (IECEE), the IECEE CB Scheme is an international system for mutual acceptance of test reports and certificates dealing with the safety of electrical and electronic components, equipment and products.
It is a multilateral agreement among participating countries and certification organizations, which aims to facilitate trade by promoting harmonization of national standards with International Standards and cooperation among accepted National Certification Bodies (NCBs) worldwide. By achieving this, it brings product manufacturers a step closer to the ideal concept of "one product, one test, one mark, where applicable'.
Why is it important?
- Safety: manufacturers/suppliers must ensure that their products comply with relevant safety standards, while government regulations are generally intended to protect populations from potential risks associated with products.
- Quality: buyers/wholesalers want to ensure the quality of products purchased and unhindered market access. Interoperability: product manufacturers and end users want to be sure their products work and can interact with other products, services and installations.
- Consistency: manufacturers/suppliers want to be sure their marketed products comply with the sample assessed.
Who benefits from it?
- Governments: are able to reduce trade barriers caused by different certification criteria of countries. Countries can better meet their obligations as stated in the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.
- Industry: can reduce delays and costs of multiple testing since a product can be certified once by a single National Certification Body (NCB) which can be accepted by others worldwide, usually without the need for further product assessment. Markets can be expanded and product to market time reduced.
- End users: ultimately anyone using a product which has been tested and certified using the IECEE CB Scheme has the assurance that the goods purchased will perform to expectations and are reasonably safe when used as intended.
Originally, this Scheme was operated by the CEE (former European "International Commission for Conformity Testing of Electrical Equipment"). It was integrated into IEC in 1985.
For more information about how the IECEE CB Scheme works, see the IECEE brochure:
IECEE. Taking Conformity Assessment Further