Approval Symbols & Certification Marks
Use this guide to understand common marks found on power cables, plugs and connectors. A mark identifies a particular certification or compliance scheme. It does not mean that a product is approved for every country or every application.
Certification and regulatory marking
Third-party certification marks refer to assessment under a certification scheme. Regulatory markings show compliance with the applicable legal framework; they are not all independent test-house approvals. Check the precise mark, model, licence number and certificate scope.
Common marks and where to check them
| Mark / name | Association | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VDE | Germany / international electrical certification | VDE marks and certificates |
| ÖVE / OVE | Austria | OVE certification |
| CEBEC | Belgium — SGS CEBEC | SGS CEBEC certification |
| IMQ | Italy | IMQ certified-product database |
| NF | France — certification issued by LCIE under mandate from AFNOR Certification | LCIE NF mark guidance |
| N / Nemko | Norway | Nordic certification guidance |
| S / Semko | Sweden — Intertek Semko | Intertek S Mark directory |
| D / Demko | Denmark — UL | Nordic certification guidance |
| FI / Fimko | Finland — SGS Fimko | Nordic certification guidance |
| ASTA / BEAB | UK-associated Intertek certification schemes | ASTA and BEAB directory |
| BSI Kitemark | BSI product certification | BSI Kitemark guidance |
| UL | United States and other territories, as indicated by the particular mark | UL mark variants and verification |
| CSA | Canada and/or United States, according to the mark variant | CSA certification mark guide |
| IRAM | Argentina | IRAM certification and mark-use guidance |
| SII Standards / Safety Mark | Israel | Standards Institution of Israel |
| PSE | Japan — electrical-appliance and material safety framework | METI PSE guidance |
| CCC | China — compulsory product certification for products within scope | UL explanation of CCC |
| RCM | Australia — regulatory compliance marking | EESS RCM guidance |
| DEKRA Mark | International product certification; successor to KEMA-KEUR | DEKRA transition guidance |
| SEV | Switzerland — Eurofins certification | Eurofins SEV guidance |
| S+ | Switzerland — ESTI voluntary safety mark | ESTI certification guidance |
The geographical associations above help identify the schemes; they are not a list of exclusive countries of acceptance. Follow the certificate and the requirements for the intended destination.
Names you may see on older products
- CCEE / Great Wall: a historical Chinese scheme replaced by CCC. CCEE is not the current certification route.
- KEMA-KEUR: DEKRA is replacing this mark with DEKRA Mark. Existing certification can remain valid where the product, standard and certification conditions continue to be met.
- SETI, UTE and SAA: older catalogues may use these names. For a current enquiry, identify the actual product mark and certificate. The guide above uses FI/Fimko, NF and RCM to explain the relevant current schemes; these are not one-for-one substitutions for every old certificate.
Before specifying an approved lead
- Confirm the exact product and destination market.
- Read the markings on the plug, cable and connector separately.
- Check the certificate number, holder, model and current status in the issuing body’s records.
- Confirm that the finished assembly meets the equipment and application requirements.
A component approval does not automatically certify the complete assembly. The symbols described here are identification references, not a statement that every MCC product holds every approval. Individual product pages and supporting documents identify the approvals applicable to that product.
Use the official links above to view the issuing organisations’ current mark artwork and verification guidance.
Need help choosing a cable assembly? Send a bespoke enquiry with your equipment details and requirements.
Technical reference reviewed October 2026. Confirm the specification and approvals of the individual product before ordering.