Nowadays, the certification qualification recognized by the sales place is very important in international trade. The quality of products that have passed the relevant certification is more guaranteed. And some countries or regions even only allow products with local certification qualifications to enter their markets for sale. So what are the common certifications for underwater lights? Why do underwater lights need these certificates? This article will answer these questions.
Most of the European certifications are general certifications in the EU. EU countries have provided and issued a series of certifications and markings for products sold in the European market. S greatly improved the circulation efficiency of products in the EU market. It is worth mentioning that many countries and regions outside the EU also recognize EU certification due to the professionalism, uniformity, and wide circulation of EU standards.
The main European certifications for pool lights include RoHS, CE, VDE, and GS.
The full name of RoHS is the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, which was formally certified by the EU in EU member states on July 1, 2006. This is a material testing certificate mainly used to limit harmful substances in electronic equipment and electrical appliances.
People often think that RoHS is to restrict the use of lead elements. But in fact, it has restricted Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), Polybrominated biphenyls (PBDE), Bis(2- Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). These ten substances that are harmful to the human body or the natural environment.
Underwater lights are electronic products, and pool lights certified by RoHS are safer and more environmentally friendly.
The full name of CE is Conformité Européenne(“European Conformity” in French). With the CE mark, it means that the product complies with European environmental, safety, and health-related standards. Products sold in the EU must have CE markings. In addition, if the products meet EU standards, these products need to have CE marking. Even if the sales area is not in the EU.
Therefore, if the pool lights are to EU countries and regions that recognize EU standards, they must apply for CE marking.
The full name of VDE is VDE testing and certification institute. It is formulated by VDE, the top certification authority in Europe. VDE is the testing standard for the electrical industry.
VDE has a wide range, including factory audits, chemical testing and analysis, product life and reliability analysis, and other fields.
Pool lights that have passed the VDE test have the VDE mark and recognized by many importers and exporters around the world.
GS, full name is Geprüfte Sicherheit, according to the English full name is Germany Safety. It is a certification based on the german product safety act（GPGS）. And tested in accordance with the European Union’s unified standard EN or the German industrial standard DIN.
Pool lights certified by GS are widely recognized in the European market.
Some famous international certification organizations and certificate agencies have developed professional certification standards, and recognized by many countries and regions.
The full name of CB is the Certification Bodies’ Scheme, which is a system operated by IECEE (an international certificate organization authorized by the International Electrotechnical Commission). CB certification agencies will test the safety performance of electrical products, and the test results and test certificates are recognized by IECEE member states.
At present, 81 certification agencies and more than 519 CB laboratories under them in more than 53 countries have participated in the CB system. Pool lights with CB are welcome to CB member countries.
The full name of ISO is the International Organization for Standardization, which is an international non-governmental organization in the field of standardization. ISO is responsible for standardization activity in most industries.
The ISO9001 quality management system standard is a summary of many years of management theory and practice in many countries. It is currently the most mature company management system standard. More than 100 countries and regions has adopted ISO9001.
ISO9001 is a certificate of company management. The management methods and models of pool light companies with ISO9001 are very scientific and recognized by the ISO organization.
The full name of SGS is Societe Generale de Surveillance S.A., which is the world’s largest and oldest private third-party multinational company engaged in product quality control and technical appraisal. SGS can provide materials, supply chain, environmental protection lamps, and other fields of testing by national standards or customer requirements, and issue widely recognized authoritative test reports.
Underwater lamp companies and products that have passed relevant SGS certification will be widely recognized by the market.
The full name of the IP is Ingress Protection, which is a standard of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IP rating is the certificate level of protection against solid particles and liquids for electrical equipment.
Only pool lights with IP68 waterproof ability can be qualified for underwater working environments.
North America includes the United States, Canada, Greenland, and other regions. And North American certifications are common in North America.
The full name of ETL is ETL SEMKO, which is a famous safety certificate mark in North America. Products in electrical appliances, machinery, and electromechanical industries must have the ETL mark, then North America will allow it comes.
ETL is the minimum requirement of North American safety standards, and pool lights must have the ETL mark to enter the North American market.
The full name of UL is UL Certification, which was founded by the standard development organization UL Co., Ltd. of the United States. UL has labs in many cities around the world. UL has a series of certification standards in the fields of electronic products, wires, and cables.
Many UL standards are national standards of the United States or Canada, and pool lights with UL are more recognized in the United States and Canada.
The full name of CSA is the Canadian Standards Association, which is the largest industrial standard certification agency in Canada. CSA can provide certification for products in various fields such as electrical appliances, machinery, and sports.
Pool light products with CSA certification are suitable for both the US and Canadian markets.
Australia and New Zealand have a certification mutual recognition agreement, and products that meet Australian certification standards are also suitable for New Zealand.
The full name of SAA is the Standards Association of Australia, which is Australia’s standards agency. There are two main types of SAA marks, one is formal certification and the other is standard mark. Formal certification is only for samples, while the standard mark requires an inspection of each certified factory.
Underwater lights must comply with SAA to enter the Australian market. Due to the mutual recognition agreement between Australia and New Zealand, pool lights certified by Australia are necessary in New Zealand.
Asian countries do not have uniformly recognized certification standards. Products need to meet the current national standards before they are in the market.
The full name of SASO is Saudi Arabian Standards Organization, which is a standards organization in Saudi Arabia and is responsible for the formulation of standards for all products in Saudi Arabia.
The SASO standard comes from the safety standards of international organizations such as the IEC. On these bases, some special terms are added in combination with factors such as geography, climate environment, religion, and industrial voltage.
Some types of products need to apply for the SASO IECEE approval certificate, otherwise, Saudi Customs customs clearance not granted. Pool lights are currently not included in the product classification for compulsory certification.
PSE is a mandatory safety certification and established in Japan by the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Law (DENAN LAW).
When pool lights enter the Japanese market, they must pass PSE and affixed with the PSE logo.
The full name of CCC is China Compulsory Certification, also known as 3C. CCC is a product conformity assessment system formulated by the Chinese government by WTO agreements and international rules. 3C mark is not a quality mark, it is the most basic safety certification.
If the product belongs to the category that requires mandatory certification, the product must be tested and audited by CCC, otherwise, it cannot be shipped, sold, or exported.
CCC stipulates that lamps with a voltage higher than 36V need to be 3C certified. The voltage of swimming pool lights, fountain lights, and spotlights is 12V/24V, which does not belong to the classification requiring compulsory certification.
