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Navigating China’s RoHS Overhaul: What the New GB 26572-2025 Standard Means for Your Business

  • Writer: Georgie Whitehouse
    Georgie Whitehouse
  • Dec 29, 2025
  • 3 min read
China’s RoHS is going mandatory.

The regulatory landscape for electrical and electronic products (EEPs) in China is undergoing its most significant shift in over a decade. On August 1, 2025, China officially released GB 26572-2025, the country’s first mandatory national standard for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances).


For years, companies operated under "recommended" standards. That era is ending. This new mandatory framework elevates compliance requirements, aligns China more closely with the EU RoHS Directive, and introduces strict deadlines that global manufacturers cannot afford to miss.


In this post, we break down the key changes and the "2+1" implementation timeline you need to prepare for.


What’s Changing? The Four Key Pillars of GB 26572-2025


1. From 6 to 10: Expanded Substance Restrictions


The most immediate change is the expansion of restricted substances. China has added four phthalates to its restricted list, bringing the total from six to ten. These new substances (all capped at 0.1% by weight) are:


  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)

  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)

  • Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)


2. A New Two-Category Product System


The overhaul refines how products are classified for compliance:


  • Category I (The Catalogue): Products listed in the official Compliance Management Catalogue (e.g., printers, refrigerators, TVs) must meet both the hazardous substance limits and mandatory labeling requirements.


  • Category II: Products outside the catalogue are not strictly required to meet substance limits (though it is highly encouraged), but they must still comply with labeling and disclosure obligations.


3. Digital-Friendly Labeling


The standard officially incorporates SJ/T 11364-2024, making labeling requirements mandatory. A key update here is flexibility: while the Environment-Friendly Use Period (EFUP) mark should ideally be on the product, the standard now recognizes digital formats like QR codes or web-based disclosures as valid ways to provide the required hazardous substance table.


4. Unified Testing Methods


To eliminate ambiguity, China has designated the GB/T 39560 series as the sole testing methodology. This aligns China’s testing protocols with the international IEC 62321 standards used in the EU, simplifying the process for global quality control teams.


The "2+1" Implementation Timeline: Critical Deadlines


The transition to the new standard follows a specific three-step phase-out:


  • August 1, 2025: The standard was published, triggering a two-year transition period.


  • August 1, 2027 (Implementation Date): All newly produced or imported EEPs must fully comply with GB 26572-2025 to enter the Chinese market.


  • August 1, 2028 (Inventory Deadline): This is the "plus one" year. Any products manufactured or imported before August 2027 that do not meet the new standard must be cleared from inventory by this date. After this, non-compliant products can no longer be sold in China.


How to Prepare


With the first major compliance milestone (the 2026 deadline for phthalate limits in some recommended standards) already approaching, businesses should take the following steps now:


  1. Audit Your Supply Chain: Work with your suppliers to identify the presence of the four new phthalates in your components.

  2. Update Compliance Documentation: Ensure your technical files and test reports reflect the GB/T 39560 testing series.

  3. Redesign Labels: Evaluate whether your current labeling (physical or digital) meets the new mandatory requirements of SJ/T 11364-2024.

  4. Monitor the Catalogue: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently proposed expanding the Compliance Management Catalogue to include 23 new product types. Stay tuned to see if your product moves from Category II to Category I.


Compliance as a Competitive Advantage


As China tightens its environmental regulations, "wait and see" is no longer a viable strategy. Early adoption of GB 26572-2025 standards not only ensures uninterrupted market access but also demonstrates a commitment to global sustainability trends.


Is your team ready for the 2027 deadline? At GoCompliance, we help businesses navigate complex regulatory shifts with ease. Contact us today to learn how we can streamline your RoHS transition.







 
 
 
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