Expert workshop on certification of surge protection devices in Germany
China
On 30 January 2014, the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) hosted an expert workshop in Frankfurt to promote the dialogue with the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) on certification of surge protection devices (SPDs). The platform for diaglogue was agreed during the 3rd annual meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Product Safety, which took place in Shanghai in June 2013, and aims to explore the possibilities of mutual recognition of CB certificate by establishing a regular communication mechanism between German and Chinese counterparts.
Representatives from German manufacturers, testing and certification bodies, and research institutes participated in the workshop. The expert discussions focused on the major obstacles for mutual recognition and introduced the existing good practices in specific product sectors.
The participants agreed to proceed with the support of the Sino-German Quality Infrastructure Project and the Sino-German Working Group on Product Safety.
The first Sino-German expert workshop is planned to take place in Shanghai in October 2014, aligning with the convening of International Conference of Lightning Protection. It is expected to address the situation of SPD manufacturers and testing in both Germany and China, to introduce German good practice in acceptance of test reports issued by other testing labs, and to work out the next steps.