How the IECEE CB Scheme supports global market access and where it does not go far enough

Manufacturers launching electrical and electronic products internationally often face multiple certification routes. While the IECEE CB Scheme can reduce duplicated safety testing, it is only one part of the route to market. 

CB Test Laboratories (CBTLs) test products based on applicable international IEC standards. Product test results are then submitted to National Certification Bodies (NCBs), to support national certifications, often reducing or eliminating duplicate safety testing. The resulting CB Test Certificate confirms that a product has been tested against the relevant standard. 

The primary benefit of the IECEE CB Scheme is that it enables manufacturers to reuse a single set of internationally recognised safety test results across multiple markets. However, a CB Test Certificate does not in itself grant the right to import or sell a product. Instead, it is used by national certification bodies as supporting evidence when issuing country-specific approvals. The extent to which additional testing or evaluation is required will depend on the destination country, the applicable national standards and the product category. 

A wider market access strategy 

NCBs often prioritise CB Scheme applicants because the technical evidence has already been assessed, helping accelerate time to market. For manufacturers selling products internationally, the CB Scheme is most effective when used as part of a wider Global Market Access (GMA) strategy, rather than treated as a standalone approval route. 

Under the CB Scheme, manufacturers can work with one CB Test Laboratory (CBTL) of their choice for the applicable CB test programme. The appointed CBTL can also incorporate selected national differences into the testing where required. However, additional evaluation, documentation or local review may still be needed at the national certification stage, depending on the destination market and product scope. 

Once the manufacturer has their CB Test Report and Certificate, they can use this to support national approvals in many other member countries. Reports and certificates can only be rejected with good technical justification, although most markets still require a local certification step, registration or administrative approval before products can be legally placed on the market. 

The CB Scheme covers electrotechnical safety and certain performance standards, but it does not automatically cover broader government legislation or all regulatory requirements for a product. 

Why GMA support matters 

While the CB Scheme can significantly reduce the need for additional in-country safety testing, it does not always eliminate local approval steps or additional regulatory assessments. Many products are subject to additional requirements such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radio frequency (RF), energy efficiency, cybersecurity, environmental or labelling obligations. These requirements usually need to be assessed separately before a product can be imported, marketed or sold. 

The value of a CB Test Certificate depends on how it is used. For some markets, it may significantly reduce testing and speed up national certification. For others, it may only address one element of the approval route, with separate requirements still applying for EMC, radio, energy efficiency, labelling, documentation or importer obligations. 

A GMA assessment helps manufacturers understand which approvals are required, what existing test evidence can be reused, where gaps remain and what sequence of activity will support the fastest compliant market launch. 

TÜV SÜD’s GMA – building the full approval route 

For manufacturers selling products internationally, the key question is not only whether a CB Scheme test certificate can be obtained, but how it fits into the complete approval route for each target market. For example, while a wireless product may have a valid CB Test Certificate covering electrical safety that does not remove the need to assess radio approvals, EMC requirements, local labelling, user manual language requirements, importer obligations or market-specific registration processes. 

TÜV SÜD’s GMA team can help manufacturers assess where CB Scheme documentation can be used, where additional national certification is required, and where separate regulatory requirements apply. 

Where CB testing is appropriate, TÜV SÜD can support through its CB Scheme-authorised CBTLs and recognised NCBs. GMA specialists can then build a sequenced compliance roadmap covering CB testing, RF and EMC approvals, labelling and registration, so manufacturers know exactly what is needed for each target market and in what order.  

Contact our GMA team and explore our IECEE CB Scheme testing and certification services and other Global Market Access services.