3C Certification for Explosion-Proof Weighing Equipment: Everything You Need to Know

Recently, the topic of power banks requiring 3C certification to be taken on planes has been quite popular, which has triggered discussions on whether explosion-proof weighing instruments and explosion-proof weighing sensors need 3C certification.

The 3C mandatory certification product catalog currently covers more than 100 products in 16 categories, among which the 15th category is explosion-proof electrical equipment, including explosion-proof motors (2301), explosion-proof instruments and meters (2314), and explosion-proof sensors (2315). Literally speaking, explosion-proof weighing instruments and explosion-proof weighing sensors seem to be within the scope of 3C certification, but the actual situation is not the case.

There was a case showing that after the first explosion-proof instrument certification was issued at the end of 2021, someone tried to apply for 3C certification testing for explosion-proof weighing instruments, but it was directly rejected on the grounds that the product was not in the catalog. This situation has led to an in-depth exploration of the relevant catalog. According to the complete 3C catalog downloaded from China Quality News Network of the State Market Supervision and Administration Bureau, weighing instruments and weighing sensors are indeed not included in the scope of application or product list of explosion-proof instruments and meters (2314) and explosion-proof sensors (2315). At the same time, the remarks on explosion-proof electrical equipment clearly state that "products without the functions of the products listed in the 'description or enumeration of the scope of application of products' are not included".

Why are explosion-proof weighing instruments and weighing sensors not included in the 3C certification catalog? This is related to another mandatory certification for weighing instruments. Weighing instruments need to undergo CPA national metrological apparatus type approval certification, which is also a mandatory certification. Moreover, the competent authority of the Metrology Institute is also the State Market Supervision and Administration Bureau, and the test content of CPA certification has a high degree of overlap with that of 3C. It is easy to understand that there is no need for multiple certificates for similar tests on the same type of products by the same department.

In addition, as for whether explosion-proof junction boxes need 3C certification, it depends on the specific situation. If you just buy an explosion-proof junction box and put the weighing instrument in it, the explosion-proof junction box needs 3C certification, and manufacturers of explosion-proof junction boxes usually have relevant certifications; if it is an overall explosion-proof certification for weighing instruments applying for explosion-proof type, since the explosion-proof certificate is for the weighing instrument, 3C certification is not required.