Taiwan: Update of BSMI requirements for Power Conversion Systems

 

Taiwan has published a Proposal for Amendments to the Legal Inspection Requirements for Power Conversion Systems.

To achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it is expected that renewable energy power generation equipment and energy storage systems will gradually be installed not only at outdoor sites but also in indoor households and factories. Considering that the Power Conversion System (PCS) is a critical component of energy storage systems, the BSMI proposes to expand PCS not exceeding 100 kW in the mandatory inspection scope to ensure consumer safety. Two alternative conformity assessment procedures are made available for the choice of applicants, i.e. Registration of Product Certification (RPC) or Type-Approved Batch Inspection (TABI).

Registration of Product Certification (RPC) Scheme: Modules II+IV, II+V, or II+VII

For products subject to Modules II+IV, II+V, or II+VII, compliance with both type testing and production quality assurance requirements is mandatory:

• Under Module II, products must undergo type testing by the BSMI or BSMI-recognized testing laboratories before certification.
• The production facilities must also meet the requirements of:
  • Module IV – Full Quality Management System,
  • Module V – Production Quality Management System, or
  • Module VII – Factory Inspection.

For Modules IV and V, manufacturers must obtain a valid quality management system certificate in accordance with CNS 12681 (equivalent to ISO 9001), issued either by the BSMI or by a BSMI-recognized certification body.

For Module VII, a factory inspection report issued by the BSMI or a BSMI-recognized factory inspection body is required.

In addition to these requirements, all three modules (IV, V, VII) require a Declaration of Conformity-to-Type, ensuring that the mass-produced items conform to the specifications approved during type testing.

Once certification and registration are complete:

• Products are authorized to bear the Commodity Inspection Mark featuring the letter “R” and a unique identification number assigned by the BSMI.
• These products may pass through customs without additional inspection, unless selected under the RPC border check procedures.

Fees and Validity:

• Application Fee: NT$5,000 (approx. USD 170) per certificate.
• Annual Maintenance Fee: NT$5,000.
• Validity: Certificates are valid for three years.
• For serial products, an additional fee of NT$3,000 (approx. USD 102) applies per application.
• Type testing fees vary based on product type and the pricing structure of the designated laboratory.

Type-Approved Batch Inspection (TABI) Scheme

Under the TABI Scheme, manufacturers or importers must follow a two-step process:

1. Type Testing
   Products must be tested by the BSMI or BSMI-designated laboratories, and an application for Type Approval must be submitted to the BSMI or its regional branches.
2. Batch Inspection
   After receiving a Type Approval Certificate, manufacturers/importers are required to apply for batch inspection prior to product release from the production site or before entry into Taiwan at the port.

The BSMI will review the submitted documentation and may request additional samples for testing if needed.

Once the products pass the inspection:

• They are authorized to use the Commodity Inspection Mark with the letter “T” and a unique identification number provided by the BSMI.

Fees and Validity:

• Type Approval Application Fee: NT$3,500.
• Type Approval Certificate Validity: Three years.
• Type testing fees depend on the product and the designated laboratory’s fee structure.

Inspection Implementation Timeline and Certification Procedures for Designated Products

1. Products with Power Output Not Exceeding 20 kW
   Inspection Implementation and Certificate Application:
   • (a) For both imported and domestically manufactured products, inspection will commence on 1 July 2026. The relevant import regulation code is C02. From the date of this announcement, the BSMI will accept applications for both Type Approval Batch-by-Batch Inspection and Registration of Product Certification.
   • (b) Applicants submitting certification requests from the announcement date onward must provide a type test report that complies with the applicable inspection standards. Upon successful review, BSMI will issue a certificate valid for three years from the date of issuance. However, if the certificate is issued prior to 30 June 2026, its validity will start from 1 July 2026 and expire on 30 June 2029.
2. Products with Power Output Over 20 kW and Not Exceeding 100 kW
   Inspection Implementation and Certificate Application:
   • (a) Inspection for these products will begin on 1 July 2027, for both imported and domestically manufactured items. The applicable import regulation code is also C02. From the date of this announcement, the BSMI will begin accepting applications for Type Approval Batch-by-Batch Inspection and Registration of Product Certification.
   • (b) Applicants must submit a compliant type test report along with their application. Certificates issued will be valid for three years from the date of issuance. If the certificate is issued before 30 June 2027, it will be effective from 1 July 2027 and expire on 30 June 2030.
3. Conversion of Voluntary Product Certification (VPC):
   Products that have previously obtained a VPC certificate from the BSMI must undergo additional testing by the original designated laboratory if there are discrepancies in the testing standards. The updated VPC test report may then be converted into a type test report for certification purposes.
4. Technical Documentation Requirements:
   All documentation submitted for type testing must conform to the provisions set out in the “Directions Governing Type Approval of Electrical and Electronic Commodities.”
5. Fees for Type Testing:
   Charges for product type testing will be assessed according to the fee structure of the designated testing laboratory approved by the BSMI.
6. Fees for Certification and Batch-by-Batch Inspection:
   Registration and inspection fees will follow the “Regulations Governing Fees for Commodity Inspection.”
7. Labeling Requirements for Restricted Substances:
   Products listed under this announcement must declare the presence of restricted substances in accordance with Section 5 “Labeling” of CNS 15663 (2013) using the formats provided in Table 1 and Table 2. This information must be displayed on the product body, packaging, label, or user manual.
   • If the restricted substance disclosure is provided via a webpage, the URL must be clearly indicated on the product, packaging, label, or instructions.
   • The indication location is not required to follow the specific positioning outlined in Section 5.3 of CNS 15663.
8. Post-Certification Labeling Requirements:
   Once certification is granted by the BSMI, the following labeling conditions apply:
   • In accordance with the “Regulations Governing the Use of Commodity Inspection Mark,” the certificate holder is responsible for printing the Commodity Inspection Mark. This mark must include an identification number composed of:
     • The letter “R”,
     • A five-digit designated code, and
     • An indication of restricted substance presence (e.g., RoHS or RoHS (XX,XX)).
   • The identification number must be placed either below or beside the graphic symbol, with the substance presence indication displayed on the second line.
   • The inspection mark does not have a fixed size but must be clearly visible, made from durable materials, and affixed permanently to the product in an appropriately proportioned size.
     • Certificate holders who obtained Registration of Product Certification before 30 June 2025 may begin using the inspection mark per the above specifications from the date of certificate issuance.

To find out more about product compliance in Taiwan and the BSMI certification, do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute.