Decoding Global Charging Certifications: The Safety Codes Behind CE, FCC, and UL Marks
Ⅰ. Core Differences Between Mainstream Global Charging Safety Certifications
EU CE Certification
Scope of Application: Covers 27 EU countries and regions such as Iceland and Norway, serving as a mandatory threshold for power banks and chargers to enter the European market.
Core Testing Standards: EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) testing requires radiation limits ≤30dBμV/m, and the RoHS Directive restricts the content of 6 hazardous substances including lead and cadmium to ≤0.01%.
Differentiating Features: Adopts a manufacturer’s self-declaration of conformity model. For high-risk products, regulations mandate third-party testing and certification by EU-designated notified bodies. The CE mark focuses on full-process liability traceability under the regulatory framework.
US UL/FCC Certification
Scope of Application: North American regions such as the United States and Canada. UL is a widely recognized voluntary safety certification, while FCC is a mandatory certification for devices that may generate radio frequency interference.
Core Testing Standards: Currently, charging products in the information technology and communication equipment category mainly comply with UL 62368-1 (Safety Standard for Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment), which has replaced the old UL 60950-1. This standard classifies hazardous energy sources and imposes strict requirements on fire-resistant enclosures and electrical clearances. UL 943 stipulates that smart power strips must cut off power within 25 milliseconds when leakage current ≥5mA; FCC Part 15 Subpart B regulates unintentional radiators (i.e., electromagnetic interference) of digital devices. For Class B devices targeting household environments, radiation limits are more stringent at a 3-meter measurement distance (e.g., in the 30-88 MHz frequency band, the limit is approximately 40 dBµV/m).
Differentiating Features: Rigorous testing and high market credibility. UL certification places particular emphasis on the long-term reliability, fire protection, and electric shock prevention of products, which usually need to be tested in UL-recognized laboratories. FCC certification ensures that devices do not interfere with other radio services.
Japan PSE Certification
Scope of Application: A mandatory certification for the Japanese domestic market, divided into two categories:
Specified Electrical Appliances (Diamond PSE): High-risk products such as large-capacity power banks and chargers must undergo testing and certification by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) authorized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Non-Specified Electrical Appliances (Circle PSE): For low-risk products, manufacturers can issue self-declarations of conformity.
Core Testing Standards: Battery cycle life ≥300 times (capacity retention rate ≥80%), and temperature resistance testing must pass the -10℃~60℃ environmental assessment.
Differentiating Features: Emphasizes product compatibility with Japan’s 100V voltage system and has detailed regulations on battery safety.
Ⅱ. Core Reasons Why Charging Accessories Must Obtain Certification
Avoid Safety Risks: Tests show that the battery explosion probability of uncertified power banks is 8.3 times that of certified products, and the electric shock risk of unqualified chargers is as high as 27%. The certification process includes 12 core tests such as overcharge, over-temperature, and short-circuit protection, reducing potential hazards from the source.
Comply with Market Access Rules: EU customs data shows that in 2023, the detention rate of charging accessories without CE marks reached 62%. The US FDA investigates more than 12,000 batches of non-UL-certified chargers every year. Uncertified products cannot legally enter mainstream markets, and ignoring certification will directly lead to product detention, removal from shelves, fines, and even recalls.
Protect User Rights and Interests: Certified products must meet the industry standard of “two-year warranty”, while the after-sales dispute rate of uncertified products is 3.5 times that of certified products. Certification marks serve as an important basis for consumers to safeguard their rights.
Ⅲ. Methods for Consumers to Quickly Judge Product Compliance
Verify Mark Completeness: Compliant products must have marks including certification logos (CE/UL/FCC/PSE), product model, manufacturer’s name, address or trademark, and rated parameters (input/output voltage, current, power). For example, power banks should clearly indicate capacity (Wh) and rated capacity (mAh); missing any information may indicate a non-compliant product.
Interpret Parameter Matching: Products for the EU market must be marked with the “RoHS” logo to indicate compliance with hazardous substance limits; North American smart power strips should have the “UL 943” label to confirm qualified leakage protection; products for the Japanese market must bear the PSE diamond mark (for specified electrical appliances) or circle mark (for non-specified electrical appliances).
Validate Certification Numbers: The authenticity of certification numbers can be checked on the UL official website (ul.com) or FCC database. The 4-digit notified body number next to the CE mark can be used to query the institution’s qualification scope on the EU NANDO official website. Tests show that over 70% of counterfeit marks cannot pass official website verification.
Ⅳ. Certification Adaptation Tips for Cross-Border Usage Scenarios
Travel Scenarios: Carry charging accessories that support 100-240V wide voltage, and prioritize multi-protocol fast chargers marked with both CE and UL certifications (e.g., travel chargers with USB-C ports). These can adapt to European two-round-hole sockets and American flat sockets, avoiding device damage due to voltage incompatibility.
Cross-Border Procurement: For home energy storage systems, confirm compliance with destination certifications—for example, UL 1741 certification for the US market and IEC 62133 certification for the European market. Ignoring certification differences may render products unusable.
Outdoor Scenarios: For outdoor power stations, focus on the environmental adaptability corresponding to certifications. CE-certified products pass the -20℃~50℃ temperature resistance test, and UL-certified products need a waterproof rating of IP54 or higher, making them more suitable for complex outdoor environments.
Ⅴ. Core Differences Between Certified and Uncertified Products
Safety Performance: The overcharge protection response time of certified products is ≤10 milliseconds, while that of uncertified products averages over 50 milliseconds; UL-certified chargers’ fire-resistant enclosures must pass the 750℃ glow wire test, whereas uncertified products mostly use ordinary plastics with significantly higher flammability risks.
Service Life: The cycle life of certified power banks is ≥500 times, compared to an average of only about 200 times for uncertified ones; CE-certified smart power strips have qualified contact anti-oxidation treatment, with a plug-in lifespan ≥10,000 times—twice that of ordinary products.
Electromagnetic Interference: The electromagnetic radiation value of FCC-certified products is ≤40dBμV/m, which will not interfere with mobile phones, routers, and other devices. The radiation value of uncertified products may exceed the standard by more than 3 times, affecting the normal operation of surrounding electronic equipment.
