The Memorandum on Jointly Promoting the Belt & Road International Cooperation of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the Quality Certification Service for Automobile Industry Development is signed on July 9. [Photo/pdtimes.com.cn]

The China Compulsory Certification (CCC) process for automobiles in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone will become simpler and easier after it follows requirements put forward in a memorandum signed on July 9 to expedite the quality development of auto industry.

The Memorandum on Jointly Promoting the Belt & Road International Cooperation of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the Quality Certification Service for Automobile Industry Development was signed between the China Quality Certification Centre, Shanghai Municipal Market Supervision Bureau, and the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Administrative Committee.

A consensus was reached that the auto quality certification mechanism in the Shanghai FTZ should be optimized. This means a series of measures will be rolled out to improve compulsory product certification, motor vehicle testing, and international certification cooperation for products from along the Belt and Road route.

CCC Certification, more commonly known as "3C Certification" or "3C Certificate," is a systematic, independent product certification system served to offer more legal certainty, as well as freedom of trade and commerce. It is set up to ensure human, animal, and plant safety, as well as environmental protection and state security. 

Since May 1, 2003, all automobile products in China must meet the 3C certification requirements as a prerequisite for production and sales.

Currently, an auto enterprise should receive testing on its product type first and then factory inspection. A certificate is only issued after the examination is passed.

To refine the certification process for automakers, the signing parties will strive for support of the National Certification and Accreditation Administration to make it successful. In the new mechanism, automobile manufacturers that are registered and operate in the Shanghai pilot FTZ will be awarded with a certificate as soon as the product type test is completed. However, they should complete factory inspection within the stipulated time, as well as carry out post-certification supervision and inspection in accordance with the compulsory certification laws and regulations.

The Pudong Market Supervision Bureau says that this new policy will help shorten the time for obtaining 3C certification and bring vehicles to market faster.

Such benefits will promote Tesla's vehicle assembly facility that began construction earlier this year in Pudong's Lingang area. It is the largest foreign-invested manufacturing project in the city's history. The scope of the reform is also expected to expand to automotive parts, supporting enterprises and forming industrial scale advantage, according to an official of the bureau.

The bureau will team up with the China Quality Certification Centre to set up a service window for imported vehicle testing and certification in the Waigaoqiao Bonded Area. By providing one-stop service, it is expected to speed up product certification and market access, further facilitating international trade in the Shanghai FTZ.

Efforts will also be spent building an online platform for imported automobile testing and certification services. It will provide functions such as allowing for the inquiry of information including laws, regulations, and compulsory product certification, as well as the handling of related affairs, providing great convenience for enterprises.