SELO/CSEI Certification

SELO (Special Equipment Licensing Office of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine) is an office to which overseas and domestic special equipment manufacturers submit application documents for special equipment licensing.

To export or sell products to China such as boilers, pressure vessels, and other pressurized parts, you need a SELO license (also called the China Manufacturer License).

SELO/CSEI Certification Process Overview

Detailed Process

The length of time required to complete the process for obtaining the SELO License (also called the China Manufacturer License or Pressure Vessel License) is approximately 6 to 12 months. During the licensing process, the applicant must develop a separate quality manual that meets SELO standards and prepare for a factory audit, among other logistics. It’s imperative that the paperwork be in order from the beginning to avoid any delays in processing and to meet Chinese compliance terms—at the office of the correct authority and on time. LOD will support you diligently every step of the way.

Process 1. Application

This stage includes an assessment of the obligation for license (SELO Obligation):
• Technical document review support
• Communication with Chinese officials
• Assistance in creating a CHN manual
• Submission of the application documents
• Translation of TSG Z00004-2007

(Three to four months for document collection and review by SELO)

  • Initial Consultation

    Consult with client to determine which parts might require certification. Explain to client the overall process and discuss strategy.

  • Classification

    The product will be classified according to the following list: Boilers, pressure vessels (including gas cylinders), bursting discs, safety valves, valves of gas cylinders, and emergency stop valves.

  • Application

    A wide range of documents needs to be submitted, including a quality manual that has to be drafted in accordance with the Chinese regulations specified in TSG Z0004.

    Required Documents

    1. Application Form
    2. Quality Manual (Contents of quality manual as minimum)
    3. Copy of Applicant’s Business License
    4. Copy of Chinese Manufacture License (Only applicable for renewal applicants)

Process 2. Manufacture Demo Product,
Process 2.Type Tests, or Design Appraisal

Process 2. Manufacture Demo Product, Type Tests, or Design Appraisal

Once the application is accepted by SESA, depending on the applicant’s product, the applicant is required to manufacture a demo product for an on-site audit, or complete type tests, or complete a design document appraisal before the on-site audit.

Related Documents

  1. Application Form for Gas Cylinder Design Document Appraisal
  2. Application Form of Boiler Design Documents Appraisal
  3. Boiler Design Documents Submitted by Applicants
  • Manufacture Demo Product

    New Applicants for Boiler & Pressure Vessel Manufacture, whose application has been accepted, is required to manufacture a demo product for an on-site audit.

  • Type Tests

    All types of safety valves, gas cylinders, bursting discs, and bursting disc devices included in the manufacture licensing application must have passed type testing prior to the manufacture survey.

  • Design Appraisal

    Design Appraisal is only necessary for boilers, gas cylinders, and accumulators. In principle, design appraisal must be completed prior to the manufacture survey.

Process 3. Factory Audit and License Issued

LOD will provide a technical interpreter to facilitate the audit and technical meetings with SELO.

  • Factory Audit

    CSEI dispatches an audit team to perform the on-site audit. During a SELO factory audit, the manufacturing facility will be inspected over several days with an eye toward general facility condition, equipment, production technologies, and quality assurance processes. A particular focus is placed on whether the previously submitted quality manual is observed in practice. The audit team consists of three people: two from CSEI and the third from the governmental safety supervision organization.

    (3-5 working days, depending on the application scope and the size of the manufacturer)

  • Audit Report Review

    After the on-site audit and upon return to China, the audit team will submit their report according to CSEI rules for internal review. After the internal review, the audit report will be transferred to SESA of AQSIQ for approval.

    (within 25 working days after receiving the audit report)

  • License Issued

    The license is issued. After receiving the license, the manufacturer can export products to China.

    (1-2 months; issued upon successful completion of factory audit)