What is the difference between Production Licensing and China Compulsory Certification (CCC)?

The Production Licensing scheme arose out of the need to curb the influx of inferior products on to the market coming from substandard production enterprises. The License thus ensures that only enterprises possessing the basic requirements for production and inspection and being able to produce qualified products can enter the market. In contrast, the CCC is focused on ensuring product safety rather than the manufacturing capabilities of the enterprise.

The Production Licensing scheme subjects product quality to a more comprehensive review, including dependability and safety requirements, as well as physical, chemical and health indications. Meanwhile, CCC only concerns product safety, e.g., the electromagnetic compatibility of home appliances.

In addition, Production Licenses are only targeted at enterprises and entities engaged in the manufacture, sales and commercial use of relevant products in China, while CCC applies to both domestic manufacturing enterprises and to products produced by enterprises outside of China and sold in China. According to a document issued by the CNCA in 2003, products subject to CCC and those subject to Production Licensing in theory should not overlap.