Switching Power Supply / Charger CB Certification

Exporting switching power supplies and chargers to multiple countries can exponentially increase time and costs if certification is done for each market individually. As a global mutual recognition system established by IECEE, cb certification allows a single test to unlock market access in over 50 countries/regions. From the core mechanism, applicable standards, test items, and application materials to certificate conversion, this article helps you clarify the entire CB certification process for switching power supplies and chargers.

What is CB Certification?

CB certification is a global mutual recognition system for electrical product safety test results established by IECEE, a subordinate of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its core logic is: after completing tests at an IECEE-recognized CBTL (cb testing Laboratory), the obtained cb certificate and cb report can be recognized by National Certification Bodies (NCBs) in over 50 participating countries/regions. This allows conversion into various national certifications, typically without the need for retesting.

• Management System: IECEE (IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components)

• Test Execution: CBTL (CB Testing Laboratory), authorized by IECEE

• Coverage Scope: 14 major categories, 180 types of products, 50+ participating countries

Applicable Standards for Switching Power Supply / Charger CB Certification

Switching power supplies and chargers are subject to different IEC safety and EMC standards depending on the end-product type. Below are the corresponding test standards for common classifications:

IT Equipment Switching Power Supplies / Chargers

• Safety Standards: iec 62368-1 / iec 60950-1

• EMC Standards: IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3

AV Equipment Switching Power Supplies / Chargers

• Safety Standards: IEC 62368-1 / IEC 60065

• EMC Standards: IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3

Household Appliance Chargers

• Safety Standards: iec 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-29

• EMC Standards: IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3

Medical Power Supplies

• Safety Standards: iec 60601-1

• EMC Standards: IEC 61000-6-2, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3

Core Test Items for CB Certification

To obtain CB certification for switching power supplies and chargers, the following safety test items must be passed. There may be minor differences depending on the product type, but the core items remain largely identical:

• Temperature Rise Test: Verifies that the temperature of various components does not exceed limits under full load conditions.

• Electric Strength Test: Verifies that the insulation system does not break down under high voltage.

• Normal / Abnormal Operation Test: Simulates normal and fault conditions to ensure the product poses no hazard.

• Fire Hazard Test: Evaluates the flame retardant rating of the enclosure and internal materials.

• Capacitor Discharge Test: Confirms that hazardous voltage dissipates promptly after the plug is disconnected.

• Insulation Resistance Test: Verifies the resistance value of insulation materials under different voltages.

• Power Cord Strain Relief Test: Inspects the mechanical strength at the power cord connection.

• Label Durability Test: Confirms that the nameplate marking remains clearly legible after rubbing.

• Impact Test: Verifies the protective capability of the product enclosure under mechanical impact.

• National Differences Test: Supplementary testing for differences between the target country's standards and IEC standards.

Pro Tip: National differences testing is a step many companies easily overlook. For example, if you plan to convert to EU certification when applying for CB, you must simultaneously meet the difference items between EN standards and IEC standards; if the target country is the US, you need to cover UL standard differences. It is recommended to clarify all target markets during the application phase so the laboratory can include national differences in the testing plan at once, avoiding supplementary tests later.

Required Materials for CB Certification Application

Preparing complete materials is a prerequisite for obtaining the certificate smoothly. Below is the standard materials checklist for a CB certification application:

1. CB Certification Application Form

2. Circuit Schematic Diagram, PCB Layout Diagram

3. Product Nameplate

4. English User Manual

5. Critical Components Data Form (CDF)

6. Trademark Declaration (if there is a trademark)

7. Transformer and Inductor Specifications

8. Model List (provided when applying for a series)

9. Product Photos

10. Standard-Compliant Safety Test Report (if any)

Pitfall Warning: The Critical Components Data Form (CDF) is the document most prone to issues. The components listed on the CDF must match the actual product exactly, including the model, manufacturer, and certification certificate number. If the CDF does not match the physical sample, it may lead to test failure or certificate revocation. It is recommended to verify them one by one before sending samples.

How to Convert a CB Certificate into National Certifications

After obtaining the CB certificate and CB report, you can apply for certificate conversion to the target country. This is the core value of CB certification.

Practical Experience: During the conversion process, samples may be requested for conformity verification. The purpose is to confirm that the product is consistent with the description in the cb test report and that national differences have been covered. Therefore, the samples sent for CB testing must remain consistent with mass-produced products; otherwise, retesting may be required during the conversion.

Important Notes on CB Certification

Regarding the Applicant

• The applicant can be the manufacturer or an authorized entity representing the manufacturer.

• A single application can cover one or multiple factories in one or multiple countries.

• Applicants located in non-IECEE member countries are required to pay an additional system operation fee of 150 Swiss Francs.

Regarding National Differences

• When applying, you must inform them of the target countries to be included in the report so that national differences are taken into consideration during testing.

• All national differences are published in the IECEE CB Bulletin and can be searched for confirmation.

• For national differences not included in advance, supplementary testing may be required during certificate conversion.

Regarding Factory Inspections

• CB certification itself does not require a factory inspection, but when converting the certificate to certain countries, the target country's certification system may require one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long is the general cycle for CB certification?

The CB certification cycle typically ranges from 4 to 8 weeks, depending specifically on whether the materials are fully prepared, whether the samples pass testing, and the number of national differences included. It is recommended to prepare a complete CDF and technical documents in advance, which can significantly shorten the cycle.

Can CB certification cover a series of models?

Yes. For series models, a model list needs to be provided, and the differences between each model within the series must be clearly explained in the CB test report. Generally, it requires the core circuit design of the series products to be identical, with differences limited only to output parameters, appearance, or interfaces.

Can a CB report be used directly for export?

The CB certificate and report themselves are not market access certificates; they act as a "passport" used to apply for national certification in the target country. Certification bodies in some countries can issue certificates directly based on the CB report without additional testing; however, there are also countries that, in addition to the CB report, require factory inspections and supplementary testing.