On August 1, 2025, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) officially released GB 26572-2025, Requirements for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products. This is the country's first mandatory national standard for China RoHS control and will take effect on August 1, 2027. Its introduction marks a major step in tightening limits on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products.
Why GB 26572-2025 Matters
Previously, China's RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance was guided by recommended standards, such as GB/T 26572-2011 and SJ/T 11364-2024. GB 26572-2025 consolidates and elevates these into a mandatory national standard, aligning more closely with the EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU), elevating restrictions and labeling requirements. This move reflects China's commitment to green transformation, sustainable development, and global harmonization of hazardous substance controls.
According to the previously released draft for approval, the new standard specifies the concentration limits and labeling requirements for hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, applicable to those produced, sold, and imported within China.
Key Highlights:
- Expanded Substance Restrictions
- The list of restricted substances has increased from 6 to 10, now including four phthalates: DBP, DIBP, BBP, and DEHP (≤0.1% by mass)
- Product Classification (further clarification in the below table)
- Products are categorized into:
- Category I:
- Must meet both substance limits and labeling requirements
- Category II:
- Must meet labeling requirements; substance limits are encouraged
- Mandatory Labeling
- Labeling requirements from SJ/T 11364-2024 are now compulsory, including digital formats (e.g., QR codes)
- Standardized Testing
- Compliance testing must follow the GB/T 39560 series, based on IEC 62321
- Transition Period
- Products manufactured or imported before August 1, 2027 must comply starting from the 13th month after the implementation date, offering a one-year grace period
Table 1. Classification of electrical and electronic products and requirements for the restricted use of hazardous substances
| CATEGORY OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS |
CLASSIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS |
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS |
| Category I |
Products included in the Catalogue for Compliance Management of Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products |
Must comply with:
- Hazardous substance limits (10 substances), and
- Mandatory labeling (including digital formats)
|
| Category II |
Products not included in the Catalogue for Compliance Management of Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products |
- Encouraged to comply with substance limits;
- Must comply with labeling requirements
|
- Audit existing products for hazardous substances.
- Update labeling systems to meet new digital requirements.
- Invest in eco-friendly materials and redesign processes to ensure compliance.
- Prepare for testing under the GB/T 39560 series
Non-compliance could result in market exclusion, making early preparation essential for maintaining competitiveness.
With a global network of labs and specialists, SGS is your ideal partner to achieve compliance for RoHS.
Please contact our
Customer Service Team for more information!