GB/T 7251.2-2023, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 2: Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies (hereinafter the new standard), was published on 6 August 2023 and will be implemented on 1 March 2024, replacing GB/T 7251.12-2013 (hereinafter the old standard).

The China Quality Certification Centre (CQC) has revised the certification rule CQC12-000001-2020, General Rules for Type II Voluntary Certification, affected by this standard, covering product certification business category 107501.

Main revisions to the implementation rule

The certification standard GB/T 7251.12-2013 is replaced by GB/T 7251.2-2023;

The clause codes and names in Tables 5-5 and 5-9 of Annex 5 are revised in line with the new standard;

The conditions under which the initial factory inspection for low-voltage switchgear assembly products may be covered are added.

Requirements for implementing the new standard and rule

From 27 October 2023 to 29 February 2024, enterprises may voluntarily choose to be certified against the new or the old standard; from 1 March 2024, CQC will certify against the new standard and issue certificates under the new standard, and will no longer issue certificates under the old standard;

For products already certified under the old standard, standard conversion of the relevant certificates may be carried out from 27 October 2023; the conversion of old-standard certificates closes on 28 February 2025, and certificates not converted by then will be suspended; certificates not converted by 1 March 2026 will have their old-standard certification revoked;

Relevant laboratories should report their testing capability for the new standard to CQC as soon as possible, and file in a timely manner the accreditation and recognition obtained for the new standard.