With the rapid popularization of electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, consumer demand for mobile power supplies (power banks) has surged. As the world's largest producer and consumer of power banks, my country's market size will reach US$1.046 billion in 2024, accounting for more than 30% of the global market.
Since the beginning of this year, there have been frequent incidents of lithium battery products such as power banks carried by passengers catching fire and smoking on airplanes. The Civil Aviation Administration of China recently issued an emergency notice. Starting from June 28, passengers are prohibited from carrying power banks that do not have the CCC certification mark (commonly known as the 3C mark), have unclear CCC certification marks, or have recalled models or batches on domestic flights.
For a time, many consumers are looking for whether their power banks have the CCC certification mark. Regarding issues of common concern, the reporter interviewed the heads of relevant departments and bureaus of the State Administration for Market Regulation.
Q: What is CCC certification? Why should power banks be included in CCC certification supervision? When will the CCC certification for power banks be implemented? Is it mandatory?
Answer: CCC certification (China Compulsory Certification, China Compulsory Product Certification) is a compulsory market access system implemented in accordance with the law in my country to protect the personal safety of consumers, national security and the environment.
In recent years, fires and other accidents caused by power banks have occurred from time to time, threatening consumers' personal health and public safety. In order to strengthen the quality and safety supervision of power bank products, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued the "Announcement on the Implementation of Compulsory Product Certification Management for Lithium-ion Batteries and Other Products" in March 2023 in accordance with the requirements of the "Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Deepening the Reform of the Management System of the Electronic and Electrical Industry". Power banks and their key components – lithium-ion batteries (i.e. batteries) are included in compulsory product certification, also known as CCC certification management. It is clear that starting from August 1, 2024, power banks and batteries that have not obtained CCC certification may not be factory, sold, imported or used in other business activities.
Through the implementation of CCC certification, in accordance with two mandatory national standards "Audio, video, information technology and communication technology equipment Part 1: Safety Requirements" (GB 4943.1-2022) and "Safety Technical Specifications for Lithium-ion Batteries and Battery Packs for Portable Electronic Products" (GB 31241-2022), strict testing of key safety indicators such as charging and discharging temperature control, high-temperature external short circuit, drop and extrusion of power banks is carried out. At the same time, the quality assurance capabilities and product consistency of production enterprises are inspected to ensure that products continue to comply with standards and CCC certification requirements, and to effectively control market access.
Q: How to identify the true and false CCC certification mark?
Answer: At present, the main way to apply the CCC certification mark on power banks is to print or mold the mark, that is, the CCC certification mark pattern is printed on the product body.
In addition, power banks are also allowed to affix standard specifications CCC certification marks. The standard specification mark is made using holographic laser anti-counterfeiting technology. If you look at the mark, it will have a white base plate, black pattern, and a diamond pattern and a dark pattern of Chinese certification words, giving it a sense of reality and three-dimensionality. If there is no three-dimensional effect, it can be judged as a counterfeit logo.
The market supervision department also reminds consumers that the CCC certification mark cannot be circulated in the market. Marks containing the word CCC sold online are illegal. Consumers are advised not to purchase and use them.
Question: Starting from August 1, 2024, all power banks sold on the market must have the CCC certification mark. Can I still use the power bank I purchased before that does not have the CCC certification mark and has not been recalled?
Answer: Starting from August 1, 2024, if a merchant sells a power bank without CCC certification, it will violate laws and regulations such as the Product Quality Law. For consumers, power banks that have not been recalled can be used. However, when taking public transportation, you must abide by the corresponding regulations.
Q: Summer is here, what suggestions are there for safe use of power banks?
Answer: First, consumers should not arbitrarily place power banks in cars or other environments that are exposed to direct sunlight, high temperatures, and are not conducive to heat dissipation. Because when the internal temperature of the power bank exceeds a certain limit, "thermal runaway" may occur, causing fire or smoke.
Second, the lithium battery inside the power bank product uses flammable electrolyte and is relatively unstable. Once there is serious knocking, extrusion, deformation, bulging and leakage, consumers are asked to stop using it and eliminate or replace it in time.
Third, when consumers purchase power bank products, please look for the CCC certification mark affixed to the product. You can also check the certification status of the product and whether the CCC certification certificate is valid through the "National Certification and Accreditation Information Public Service Platform". (Reporter Lin Lili)
