China RoHS Adds Four New Phthalate Restrictions

China has updated its Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulation by adding four new phthalates to the list of restricted substances. On June 29, 2024, the "Announcement on the Approval and Release of 109 National Standards and 4 National Standard Amendments" (National Standard Announcement [2024] No. 14) was released. 

The move reflects China's commitment to environmental protection and is in line with global standards. The new restrictions will come into effect on January 1, 2026 

Newly Restricted Phthalates: 

The four new phthalates added to the restricted list are: 

1. DEHP (Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) 

2. BBP (Butyl benzyl phthalate) 

3. DBP (Dibutyl phthalate) 

4. DIBP (Diisobutyl phthalate) 

Each of these phthalates must not exceed a concentration limit of 0.1% in electronic information products (EIPs). 

Impact on Manufacturers  

Manufacturers and suppliers of Electrical and Electronic Products  must ensure compliance with these new restrictions in order to legally sell their products in China. Non-compliance may result in penalties and restricted market access. 

Steps to Compliance 

• Review Product Composition: Assess current product formulations to ensure that the concentration of the restricted phthalates is within the permissible limit. 

• Update Testing Protocols: Implement updated testing protocols to include the newly restricted substances. 

• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain appropriate documentation and reporting to demonstrate compliance. 

This update aligns China’s RoHS with global regulations (i.e. EU RoHS 2.0)  and improves the safety and environmental sustainability of electronic products.