Overview

China recently released draft mandatory national standard on RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), issued April 14, 2025 by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for public comment until April 21, 2025.

Standard Overview

· Title: Requirements for the restriction of use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products (GB26572-XXXX)

· Purpose: Consolidates and replaces existing voluntary standards (GB/T 26572‑2011 and SJ/T 11364‑2014) and enforces legally binding requirements aligned with China RoHS regulations.

· Scope: Applies to electrical or electronic products (EEPs) operating at ≤ 1500 V DC or ≤ 1000 V AC – including production, sale, and import within China; excludes large power transmission equipment.

Key Technical Changes

1. Expanded Substance List Includes the original six restricted substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr (VI), PBBs, PBDEs) plus four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP)—bringing the total to 10 controlled substances

2. Product Classification

· Category I: Products listed in the compulsory compliance catalogue must meet both concentration limits and marking + conformity assessment.

· Category II: Other EEPs need only comply with marking requirements; however, voluntary adherence to substance limits is encouraged.

3. Limits Per Homogeneous Material

· Pb, Hg, Cr (VI), PBBs, PBDEs, and phthalates: ≤ 0.1% by mass

· Cd: ≤ 0.01% by mass.

· Testing is based on GB/T 39560 series methods.

4. Enhanced Labelling Measures Continues SJ/T 11364 markings but introduces digital labelling QR codes or on-screen displays to improve transparency

5. Conformity Assessment & Documentation

· Category I products must demonstrate compliance through either supplier declarations or third-party testing.

· A minimum of 70% of components must be covered by test reports

6. Transitional Period Products made or imported before the effective date are granted a 13‑month grace period.

7. Deleted Chapter Removed the previous standard’s Chapter 8 (“Inspection Requirements”) to streamline the text.

Timeline & Development

· Dec 28, 2023: SAC issued the task to draft the new mandatory RoHS standard (Project 20231685‑Q‑339).

· Mar 20, 2024: Drafting committee established, led by China Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI).

· Oct 10, 2024: Initial draft completed. MIIT launched Phase 1 public consultation on substance limits and marking (Nov 19, 2024 – Jan 18, 2025).

· Mar 16, 2025: Full-committee review held; final draft prepared for approval.

· Apr (14–21), 2025: Draft released for public feedback via MIIT’s Science & Technology Department. Consultation closed April 21.

What’s Next?

· Approval & Publication: Following feedback, the standard will be finalized and published as a mandatory GB standard.

· Implementation: Enforcement begins 24 months after publication, with the 13-month transitional leniency applying to pre-existing stock.

· Industry Preparation: Manufacturers and importers should update compliance processes and labelling systems, conduct component testing, and respond to new supply-chain verification requirements.

Implications for Stakeholders

· Manufacturers/Importers: Reevaluate product BOMs, expand testing to phthalates, update labels with digital marks, enhance traceability documentation

· Testing & Certification Labs: Adapt testing scope to include phthalates and support new conformity assessment methods

· OEMs/Brand Owners: Confirm supplier RoHS declarations, especially for Category I products, and design QA workflows as per the new standard.