China: CCC Rules for Luminaires and Ballasts Change in 2027
China Revises CCC Rules for Luminaires and Ballasts: New CNCA Implementation Rules Mandatory From January 1, 2027
China's Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) has revised the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) implementation rules for lighting products. Announcement No. 22 of 2026 issues two trial rules, one for luminaires and one for ballasts and other lamp controlgear. Certification bodies may apply either the old or the new rules until December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027, all CCC certification activity for these products must follow the 2026 rules.
Regulatory background
CNCA Announcement No. 22 of 2026 is dated September 23, 2026 and was published on the CNCA website on September 28, 2026. CNCA states that the revision is intended to tighten supervision of CCC certification.
Until now, both product categories were covered by a single document, CNCA-C10-01:2014 (Lighting Apparatus). The revision splits it into two product-specific rules:
Rule number | Title | CCC product category |
CNCA-C10-01:2026 | Compulsory Product Certification Implementation Rules: Luminaires (Trial) | Luminaires (1001) |
CNCA-C10-02:2026 | Compulsory Product Certification Implementation Rules: Ballasts (Trial) | Ballasts (1002) |
Both rules carry an issue date of September 23, 2026 and an implementation date of January 1, 2027. Both follow the 20-chapter structure CNCA has used for its other 2026 rule revisions, covering scope, obligations of certification bodies, laboratories and applicants, standards, certification modes, unit division, factory quality assurance, type testing, factory inspection, surveillance, certificates, marking and fees.
Scope of the new CCC rules for luminaires and ballasts
Luminaires (CNCA-C10-01:2026)
The rule applies to luminaires connected to a supply voltage (DC or AC r.m.s.) above 36 V:
Up to 1000 V: fixed general purpose luminaires, recessed luminaires, aquarium luminaires and ground recessed luminaires
Up to 250 V: portable general purpose luminaires, portable luminaires for children and mains socket-outlet mounted nightlights
Certification is based on GB/T 7000.1 with the relevant particular standard (GB/T 7000.201, .202, .204, .211, .212 or .213, and GB 7000.4 for children's portable luminaires), plus GB/T 17743 and GB 17625.1 for EMC.
Ballasts and lamp controlgear (CNCA-C10-02:2026)
The rule clarifies that "ballast" has the same meaning as "lamp controlgear" in current standards terminology. It covers:
Ballasts for fluorescent lamps, ballasts for discharge lamps (other than fluorescent) and AC electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps, with an AC supply above 36 V and up to 1000 V
Electronic ballasts for high-intensity discharge lamps and DC or AC electronic controlgear for LED modules (LED drivers), with a supply above 36 V, below 250 V DC and/or below 1000 V AC
Certification is based on GB/T 19510.1 with the relevant particular standard (GB/T 19510.203, .208, .209, .212 or .213), plus GB/T 17743 and GB 17625.1.
For both rules, the latest edition of each standard applies unless CNCA specifies otherwise.
Key requirements of the 2026 rules
Certification modes
Ballasts follow a single mode: type testing, initial factory inspection and post-certification surveillance.
Luminaires have three modes:
Mode 1 (standard): type testing, initial factory inspection and post-certification surveillance.
Mode 2 (large luminaires only): design appraisal, partial type testing, initial factory inspection and surveillance. It is reserved for combined lighting and decorative luminaires installed in places where people gather, such as shopping centres, exhibition venues, hospitals and transport stations, that exceed defined weight or size thresholds (for example, more than 100 kg). The design appraisal must be reviewed by a working group of the CCC lighting technical expert group before the process continues.
Mode 3 (single batch only): type testing plus 100% inspection of the batch. The certificate is issued before shipment, cancelled after delivery acceptance and valid for a maximum of six months with no extension.
Certification units
The rules set out detailed unit division criteria by product type. For example, fixed general purpose luminaires are grouped by eleven parameters, including mounting method, light source type, protection class, IP rating, controlgear type, dimming method and rated voltage. LED controlgear is grouped by thirteen parameters. Products from different applicants, manufacturers or factories always fall into separate units.
Factory obligations
Manufacturers and factories must each appoint a certification quality officer who is responsible for CCC matters, including control of the CCC mark.
Factories must run at least two internal quality audits per year.
Factories must carry out at least two product consistency self-inspections per year, each covering every valid CCC certificate, and document them in the prescribed self-inspection report, signed by the quality officer and stamped by the factory.
General records must be kept for at least five years. Type test reports, factory inspection reports, certificate status records, change approvals, surveillance test reports and purchasing records for critical components must be kept for at least ten years.
Critical components that fall within the CCC catalogue, such as controlgear, plugs, supply cords and appliance couplers, must hold their own CCC certificates.
Type testing
Samples are selected by the certification body or laboratory. Borrowed, rented or purchased samples may not be used.
A duplicate set of the main and variant test samples is sealed and kept by the factory until at least one year after the certificate expires. For potted controlgear, an unpotted sample is also retained.
For luminaire units covering 50 to 99 models, an extra 10% of models are randomly checked for consistency. For units of 100 models or more, the figure is 20%.
Laboratories must video-record specified tests, such as marking rub tests, durability tests, needle-flame tests and IP tests, in a way that identifies the test personnel.
Type testing normally takes no more than 30 days (45 days for magnetic ballasts). The report follows within 10 days, and a certificate is normally issued within 90 days of application acceptance.
Factory inspection
The initial inspection covers all quality assurance elements, takes place after a successful type test and must be completed within one year of that test. Otherwise the type test must be repeated.
Certified products must be in production during the inspection.
The factory's top manager, or a senior manager authorised in writing, must attend the opening and closing meetings. If neither attends, the inspection is terminated.
Intermediaries and other third parties may not take part in the inspection.
Corrective actions must be completed within three months.
Factory classification and surveillance
Certification bodies classify each factory from A to D based on inspection results, market surveillance outcomes, complaints and testing capability. First-time applicants with no quality history start in Class C.
Class | Surveillance frequency | Follow-up inspection | Sample testing |
A | Once every 2 years | Yes | Yes |
B | Once a year | Yes | Yes |
C | Twice a year | Yes, unannounced | Once a year |
D | Three times a year | Yes, unannounced | Twice a year |
Surveillance sampling can take place at the factory or in the market, including e-commerce platforms. The first surveillance test may not be carried out by the laboratory that performed the most recent type test, and consecutive surveillance tests may not go to the same laboratory.
Certificates
Certificates are valid for five years. Renewal applications are filed within the 90 days before expiry, and the certificate is reissued directly if the last surveillance result was satisfactory.
The same model from the same manufacturer and factory may not be certified by two or more certification bodies. If this is found, all the certificates involved are revoked.
Certificates can be transferred between designated certification bodies, but not to avoid surveillance or while a failed market inspection remains unresolved.
Certification and testing fees must be paid directly by the applicant, manufacturer or factory, not through another organisation or individual.
Certification impact summary
Area | Position under the 2026 rules | Practical impact |
Rule structure | Two separate rules replace CNCA-C10-01:2014 | Luminaire and controlgear files are managed under different documents and annexes |
New applications | Old or new rules until December 31, 2026; new rules only from January 1, 2027 | Projects that will not close in 2026 should be planned against the 2026 rules now |
Existing certificates | Remain valid; converted at product change or renewal | No mass re-certification, but each change or renewal triggers the new requirements |
Certification units | Detailed, parameter-based grouping | Model families may need to be regrouped, which can change test scope and cost |
Factory controls | Quality officer, two internal audits and two consistency self-inspections per year | Additional documented routines and management accountability |
New factories | Classified as Class C by default | Two unannounced inspections and one sample test per year until upgraded |
Samples | Sealed duplicate samples retained by the factory | Storage and traceability procedures required |
Record keeping | 5 years general, 10 years for core certification records | Document retention policies need updating |
Large and single-batch luminaires | Dedicated Modes 2 and 3 | Project lighting has a defined route, with strict batch control |
Fees and intermediaries | Direct payment; no intermediaries at factory inspection | Agent-led arrangements must be restructured |
What this means for manufacturers
For lighting manufacturers and importers supplying China, the revision does not change which products need CCC, and valid certificates are not withdrawn. What changes is how certification is obtained and maintained.
First, there is a short decision window. An application accepted before the end of 2026 can still run under the 2014 rule if the applicant prefers. Any later change or renewal will move that certificate onto the 2026 rules anyway, so the choice mainly affects timing.
Second, factory-side obligations are more explicit. Named quality responsibility, twice-yearly self-inspections against every certificate and long record retention periods mean compliance depends on routine factory discipline, not only on passing an audit.
Third, new entrants face closer supervision. A factory with no CCC history starts in Class C, with unannounced inspections twice a year, until its track record supports an upgrade (the rules look at the previous two years).
Fourth, product consistency is the central risk. Sealed reference samples, extra consistency checks for large model families, market sampling through online channels and laboratory rotation all make it easier to detect differences between tested and shipped products. Component substitutions that have not been approved by the certification body can lead to a serious non-conformity, a downgrade to Class D or certificate suspension.
Finally, overseas manufacturers that rely on local agents should review those arrangements. The rules exclude intermediaries from factory inspections and require direct payment of certification and testing fees.
Timeline and required actions
Timeline
Date | Milestone |
September 23, 2026 | CNCA Announcement No. 22 of 2026 dated; CNCA-C10-01:2026 and CNCA-C10-02:2026 issued |
September 28, 2026 | Announcement and rules published on the CNCA website |
Until December 31, 2026 | Transition period: certification bodies may apply the old or new rules, at the applicant's choice |
January 1, 2027 | 2026 rules mandatory for all CCC certification activity for luminaires and ballasts |
After January 1, 2027 | Existing valid certificates continue in use and are converted at product change or renewal |
Required actions
Timing | Action |
Now | Confirm which products fall under CNCA-C10-01:2026 and CNCA-C10-02:2026, and list all valid CCC certificates with their expiry dates |
Now | Decide, with the certification body, whether pending or planned applications will proceed under the old or new rules |
Before December 31, 2026 | Appoint a certification quality officer at manufacturer and factory level and define the role in writing |
Before December 31, 2026 | Set up twice-yearly internal audits and product consistency self-inspections using the prescribed report format |
Before December 31, 2026 | Review model families against the new unit division criteria and identify certificates that may need to be split |
Before December 31, 2026 | Check that CCC-listed critical components hold valid CCC certificates and update approved supplier lists |
Before December 31, 2026 | Update record retention procedures to the 5-year and 10-year minimums and prepare storage for sealed samples |
From January 1, 2027 | File all new applications, changes, extensions and renewals under the 2026 rules |
Ongoing | Obtain certification body approval before any change to design, structure or critical components, and submit production plans to support surveillance |
