Achieve faster Global Market Access with Intertek’s CB Scheme Certification
The IECEE CB Scheme is the world’s leading international certification system for electrical and electronic products. Based on harmonized IEC standards, it provides manufacturers with a single, streamlined pathway to achieve global certification and gain access to global markets faster and more efficiently.
What Is the CB Scheme and Why It Matters for Global Access
The CB Scheme allows manufacturers to have their products tested once, then recognized in more than 50 participating countries without repeating the testing process. This single IEC standards–based evaluation saves significant time and cost while ensuring consistent quality and compliance worldwide. It is the most effective way to remove barriers to global market access and accelerate time-to-market for new products.
By transforming one CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report into multiple national certifications, the CB Scheme eliminates duplication of effort. It also addresses national differences in technical regulations so your product meets each market’s specific requirements while maintaining a common international baseline.
How the CB Scheme Certification Process Works
- An application for a CB Test Certificate (CBTC) and associated test report (CBTR) is made to any IECEE National Certification Body (NCB)
- A CB Test Laboratory (CBTL) of the NCB conducts the evaluation and testing to verify compliance with IEC standards.
- A CBTC and accompanying CBTR are issued as proof of compliance.
- NCBs in participating countries conduct an administrative review of the CBTC and test report and grant local certifications, reducing redundant testing and delays.
This process is efficient and delivers a significant competitive advantage faster approvals, fewer delays, and broader global access with a single coordinated certification effort.
Intertek’s Expertise in CB Scheme Global Certification
Intertek is uniquely positioned to guide manufacturers through every stage of the CB Scheme process. We operate four IECEE NCBs in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Singapore, supported by a global network of more than 45 CBTLs. Our teams have deep expertise in applying IEC standards to diverse product categories including household appliances, IT equipment, lighting systems, industrial machinery, and medical devices.
We help you interpret applicable standards, manage the technical documentation, and navigate complex national differences, ensuring your product meets the requirements for global certification without unnecessary delays.
CB Scheme Coverage Across Product Categories and IEC Standards
The CB Scheme covers more than 23 product categories. Examples include:
- Medical Devices (“MED”) – IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, and related standards
- Household Appliances (“HOUS”) – IEC 60335 series
- IT and Office Equipment (“OFF”) – IEC 62368-1
- Lighting Systems (“LITE”) – IEC 60598 series
- Batteries (“BATT”) – IEC 62133
- Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear (“POW”) – IEC 60947
By beginning with one IEC standards–based CB Scheme test report, manufacturers open the door to multiple regions at once, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
National Differences in the IECEE CB Scheme | Fact Sheet
Understanding National Differences in the IECEE CB Scheme is essential for global market access. Download our free fact sheet to learn how regional deviations from IEC standards can impact your product certification.
CB Scheme Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Discover how to speed up market entry, enhance product credibility, and boost customer confidence worldwide with our free Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet on the IECEE CB Scheme.
Participating Countries
With over 50 participating countries, the CB Scheme opens doors to a broad global market, including:
- Europe: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Croatia, Ireland, Belarus, Ukraine.
- Asia and Middle East: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Pakistan.
- North America: United States, Canada, Mexico.
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia.
- Africa: Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa.
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
The CB Scheme’s international reach makes it an invaluable tool for manufacturers targeting multiple regions.
Why Choose the CB Scheme for Your Global Certification Strategy
Manufacturers looking for a cost-effective, efficient path to global market access rely on the CB Scheme to simplify compliance, reduce testing duplication, and speed product launches. With Intertek as your certification partner, you gain a proven route to global certification backed by world-class technical expertise, international reach, and a deep understanding of regulatory requirements in every market you target.
Global Market Access with Intertek
Intertek’s expertise goes beyond testing and certification. With more than 300 accreditations, recognitions, and partnerships worldwide, we provide the comprehensive solutions you need to achieve faster market entry. Whether you're certifying electrical equipment, consumer electronics, or industrial components, our global network supports you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About the IECEE CB Scheme
The IECEE Scheme, based on IEC and ISO harmonized international standards, allows for a true one-stop approach to obtain multiple national safety certifications with a single CB Test Certificate and Report. The program helps reduce trade barriers caused by different certification requirements in different countries, allowing manufacturers to access existing, new and developing global markets with repetitive testing.
The "CB" in IECEE CB Scheme refers to the multilateral agreement between global Certification Bodies operating in the program. The official name of the CB Scheme is the "IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE)"
A manufacturer applies to any of the participating National Certification Bodies (NCBs) for a CB Test Certificate (Intertek has four NCBs located in Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America). The NCB will work with one of their associated CB Testing Laboratories (CBTL) (Intertek has more than 45 associated CBTLs globally) qualified to carry out testing and evaluation of products to determine conformity with the globally harmonized IEC and ISO EE standards. When in compliance, the NCB and associated CBTL will issue CB Test Certificates and Reports to the applicant. In most cases, at the applicant’s request, the NCB will in parallel issue its own national certification for the product, such as the ETL Listed Mark for the USA and Canada and the S Mark for Europe. The manufacturer can then present the CB Test Certificate and Reports to other participating NCBs to obtain additional global certifications for their product through without requiring retesting.
The CB Scheme can help you save money, save time, obtain certifications more quickly, and reduce the number of test samples needed. When a manufacturer applies to an NCB for their national certification based on an issued CB Test Certificate and Reports, the NCB will typically grant their certification with minimal, if any, re-testing once the documents are reviewed and successful pass through the certification process. As a result, time to certification, testing related costs, and costs associated with multiple test samples necessary for repetitive testing are reduced., Intertek can further assist with the application to many NCBs around the world to further simplify this process for the applicant.
Yes! Even through the pandemic, the number of CB Test Certificates issued by NCBs operating in the IECEE CB Scheme has continued to rise and the number of Member Countries in the Scheme exceeds 50.
A manufacturer can apply to any NCB for issuance of a new CB Test Certificate or for certification based on recognition of an issued CB Test Certificate. Contact information for Intertek NCBs can be found at the following links
- Intertek USA NCB
- Intertek Sweden NCB
- Intertek Singapore NCB
- Intertek UK NCB
The scope of products covered by the CB Scheme includes 37 categories, from household appliances, medical devices, information technology, cybersecurity, and more. For a complete list of standards operated by the IECEE CB Scheme, please see the following link: Standard Operated in the IECEE CB Scheme. The standards used are globally harmonized IEC and ISO standards. It is important to note that some standards do include national differences which should be addressed by the issuing NCB and CBTL during testing so when applying for national certifications, delays to address nation differences are not introduced.
Compliance with national differences may be evaluated either by the NCB and CBTL issuing the CB Test Certificate and Test Reports, or by the recognizing NCB to whom the CB Test Certificate and Test Reports are presented national certification. It is recommended, however, to reduce time to certification, possible additional testing, as well as required additional test samples that the applicant request country deviations be addressed by the original issuing NCB and CBTL.
You can learn more about the CB Scheme by contacting any of our Intertek offices, NCBs or visiting IECEE’s web site.
Related Links
18 Feb 2025
Streamlining Global Market Access for Medical Devices with the IECEE CB Scheme
Understanding the CB Scheme and Its Benefits for Medical Device Manufacturers
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