China's LED companies need to strengthen their understanding of international trade standards

Since China's accession to the WTO, international trade has become more frequent and export trade has accounted for a large share of many enterprises. The vast foreign trade market has allowed Chinese companies to step in. However, the current situation is that, regardless of the LED industry or some other consumer goods industries, Chinese exports are frequently recalled and returned. Apart from technical reasons, they do not fully understand the standards and requirements of foreign countries. The lack of comprehensive qualification certification is also the most important reason. one. China LED Network Interview with TüV SÜD Group Project Manager and Dr. Huang Wei, Member of the Expert Committee of Shenzhen LED Industry Standard Alliance, to understand the current status and key of China's LED industry in international trade.

Certification is the golden key to open the markets of exporting countries

According to Huang Wei, TüV SÜD Group's team of experts is dedicated to the optimization of technology, systems and expertise to enhance the competitiveness of global customers. Based on reliability, security, quality assurance, environmental protection and cost savings, we provide customers with practical solutions. TÜV SÜD has close cooperation with a number of international chambers of commerce and trade development organizations in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ), China Quality Certification Center (CQC) and China Inspection & Certification Group Co., Ltd. ( CCIC). On December 20th this year, TüV SÜD became the first member of China's low carbon city solution center.

With the rapid development of the LED industry, China is gradually developing into a major production base and export base for global LED lighting products. A large number of LED lighting companies deliver high-quality LED products to all parts of the world. Huang Wei stated that TüV, as a well-known global third-party organization with many years of history, can help companies successfully pass the certification of the EU and other major global markets, and certification is the golden key to open the export market.

TÜV certification in the lighting industry has a high degree of authority, testing and certification of LED lighting equipment has been recognized by many countries and famous institutions. It is understood that TüV Süd is a notified body authorized by the EU. The CE report issued by it is widely recognized in Europe. TÜV SÜD is also a GS certificate-accredited certification body authorized by the German Certification Council (ZLS). It conducts LED lighting product testing and issues GS certification marks in accordance with the German Device Safety Act.

According to Dr. Huang Wei, TüV SÜD also provides CB services for LED lighting equipment. The CB report issued by it is recognized by many CB members. TÜV SÜD's laboratories are also accredited by China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS).

In addition, TÃœV SÃœD can also provide Singapore PSB certification, Japan PSEMark, Australia C-Tick logo, US NRTL and FCC certification and other multinational market certification services.

Rigorous certification market brings the best interests to consumers

Huang Hao believes that certification can not only help companies open the door to the export market, but also bring more value to end customers.

First of all, it guarantees the quality and safety of the products supplied on the market to some extent. Because the certification system is a verification and identification of the product's performance, safety, etc., the establishment of the certification system can urge enterprises to carry out production operations in accordance with certain laws and standards, thus ensuring the quality of their products. Especially for the safety certification of LED products, it helps to protect the safety and health of end customers.

Second, it can guide consumers to purchase a satisfactory product. When consumers purchase LED luminaires, it is often difficult to judge the quality of their internal quality based on subjective measures such as personal experience and appearance inspection. However, products that have undergone product certification usually have certificates or specific certification marks. This shows that the product has been evaluated and evaluated by a third party organization, and consumers have certain quality and security guarantees in use.

Chinese LED companies need to strengthen their awareness and importance of international trade standards

Huang Hao said that with the increase of China's LED exports, domestic LED companies have also become increasingly concerned about international standards and regulations. However, as a whole, understanding is still lacking, which has led to more recent product recalls. For example, only from the statistics of the EU RAPEX case recalled in the second quarter of this year, the number of recalled LED lamps accounted for more than 40% of the total number of lamps recalled. Most of these recall cases were due to violations of the European Union’s Low Voltage Directive and Related standards. It shows that companies are not familiar with the requirements of the exporting countries' regulations and standards.

The level of recognition and importance of Chinese LED companies for international trade standards needs to be strengthened. Huang Hao believes that since LED lighting is a new industry, the relevant standard system is also under continuous construction and improvement. Standards are more frequently updated and changes. It is sometimes difficult for companies to have enough manpower and time to track these laws and standards. This requires professional organizations to provide up-to-date information, conduct professional training, qualified companies, and set up special departments or positions to carry out standards tracking and research.

Chinese Enterprises Urgently Need to Improve Their Technical Content and Brand Influence

Huang Hao analysis, the current international LED market competition is fierce, and Chinese companies have long been relying on low prices, low technology, etc. to fight the international market, the long-term development of Chinese companies is very unfavorable. To change this situation, Chinese companies urgently need to increase their own technological content and brand influence. In the specific implementation plan, Dr. Huang Yu has the following four suggestions:

First of all, in research and development, it is indeed necessary to increase investment in talents and funds, and to develop new products and technologies. Only by truly mastering a batch of products with core patents, LED companies can compete with international giants in the international market. Second, in terms of production, in order to improve the quality of products, companies need to effectively strengthen product quality control and strict product quality management system. Huang Wei specifically pointed out that LED companies must develop and internationalize the rules of the game. Therefore, timely tracking and understanding of the latest foreign standards, regulations and technical requirements, timely adjustment and improvement of their own products according to the requirements of the exporting country, can help LED companies to better respond to the technical barriers to trade in the target market area. Finally, in order to successfully enter the international market, LED companies also need a certificate from a credible organization on product quality, performance, etc. In this regard, TÃœV SÃœD is happy to provide related services for companies.

Domestic certification industry still needs to regulate

Huang Hao also pointed out that along with the rapid development of the LED industry, as its technical support, the LED certification testing market has also developed rapidly. At present, China's large and small certification testing agencies, including foreign-funded institutions, and a considerable number of private organizations, are actively conducting LED product testing and certification services. This situation is generally very favorable for the development of China's LED industry. .

At the same time, Huang Xie was also worried that some testing organizations did not strictly certify enterprise products in accordance with internationally recognized testing standards and methods. As a result, some Chinese products had been reported and recalled when they were exported to foreign countries. This not only gave the company itself. Losses have also had a negative impact on the overall international image of Chinese companies. Therefore, the country also needs to regulate and supervise the certification testing market accordingly, improve the technical level and professional ethics of certification testing personnel through some policy approaches, and support and promote China’s LED industry more effectively through a standardized and healthy certification testing industry. Industry development.