Ex Certificate of Conformity and Ex 3C Certification are two different certification requirements for Ex products. Their main differences are reflected in the following aspects:

I. Scope of Applicable Products

- Ex Certificate of Conformity: Applies to all Ex electrical and non-electrical products, regardless of whether they are included in the Ex 3C certification catalog.

- Ex 3C Certification: Specifically targets products included in the Ex 3C certification catalog, such as motors, fans, walkie-talkies, etc. If these products have previously obtained an Ex Certificate of Conformity, they need to convert to Ex 3C certification certificates.

II. Certification Method

- Ex Certificate of Conformity: Mainly confirms whether the product's Ex performance meets relevant standards through product testing.

- Ex 3C Certification: Adopts the method of "product testing + factory audit". It not only requires the product itself to comply with Ex standards but also requires the applicant's production factory or OEM/ODM factory to meet certain quality management system and production conditions, with annual supervisory audits required.

III. Certification Bodies and Standards

- Ex Certificate of Conformity: Issued by third-party testing bodies with corresponding qualifications, in accordance with relevant national Ex product standards.

- Ex 3C Certification: Uniformly managed by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA), and issued by designated qualified certification bodies. Relevant tests are conducted by designated testing laboratories, in accordance with national mandatory product certification standards (i.e., 3C standards) and relevant Ex product standards.

IV. Market Access Requirements

- Ex Certificate of Conformity: Is one of the basic requirements for Ex products to enter the market, but not all Ex products need to undergo 3C certification.

- Ex 3C Certification: For products included in the Ex 3C certification catalog, obtaining an Ex 3C certification certificate is a necessary condition for entering the market.

In summary, there are significant differences between Ex Certificate of Conformity and Ex 3C Certification in terms of the scope of applicable products, certification methods, certification bodies and standards, and market access requirements. Therefore, when choosing which certification to apply for, it is necessary to decide based on the specific product conditions and market access requirements. For any questions or to learn more about relevant information, please feel free to consult STS at any time.