China Seeks Public Feedback on Revised Standards for Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has announced a public consultation on eight mandatory national standards, including “Requirements for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products”, a key technical standard supporting the China RoHS 2 regulatory framework. China RoHS 2, implemented in July 2016, restricts the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products to reduce environmental and health risks, similar to the EU RoHS 2 Directive. The draft standard is consistent with these principles, including restrictions on substances such as lead, mercury and newly added phthalates.

The consultation opened on 19 November 2024 and will close on 18 January 2025. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback by emailing to KJBZ@miit.gov.cn.

The draft standards aim to improve safety, align with global regulations, and reduce environmental and health risks from hazardous substances. The finalstandards are expected to take effect 12 months after publication.

Key Focus: Expanded Restrictions on Phthalates in Electrical and Electronic Products

The new draft standard updates and integrates two existing standards:

• GB/T 26572-2011: Requirements on Concentration Limits for Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products.

• SJ/T 11364-2014: Marking for the Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products.

A significant update is the addition of four new phthalates to the list of restricted substances:

• DBP: Dibutyl phthalate (CAS No 84-74-2)

• DIBP: Diisobutyl phthalate (CAS No 84-69-5)

• BBP: Butyl benzyl phthalate (CAS No 85-68-7)

• DEHP: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (CAS No 117-81-7)

These phthalates are widely used as plasticizers in electrical and electronic products, but are associated with environmental and health risks, including endocrine disruption. The draft standard aligns their restriction limits with the EU RoHS Directive, setting maximum concentrations of ≤1000 mg/kg for each.

Highlights of the Draft Standard

• Expanded Scope: Covers the manufacture, sale and import of electrical and electronic products in China.

• Updated Limits for Hazardous Substances: Expands the number of restricted substances from 6 to 10, ensuring compliance with global standards.

• New Labeling Options: Introduces QR codes and digital formats for hazard information, reducing compliance costs.

• Conformity Documentation: Requires test reports for high-risk components to improve the reliability of compliance declarations.

Development Process and Industry Collaboration

The standard was developed by the China Electronics Standardization Institute, in collaboration with manufacturers, industry associations, and research institutions. Key steps in its development include

• Research on phthalate restrictions in global RoHS regulations.

• Industry surveys showing that over 90% of products already meet the proposed phthalate limits, ensuring feasibility.

• Collaboration with international standards such as IEC 62321 for test methods.

The one-year transition period after publication will allow industry to adapt to the stricter requirements.

Implementation and Future Impact

Once in effect, this standard will replace

• GB/T 26572-2011: Previously defined limits for hazardous substances.

• SJ/T 11364-2014: Covered marking requirements for restricted substances.

The inclusion of phthalates reflects China’s commitment to stricter environmental controls and is in line with global practices. This update will significantly reduce the risks associated with these substances, promote green production, and support the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan for Industrial Green Development.

The revised standard will improve compliance, simplify regulatory oversight, and position China as a leader in sustainable electronic product manufacturing.

Other Standards under Consultation

In addition to the RoHS 2-related standard, the consultation includes revisions to standards on:

• Limits of Hazardous Metal Elements Leachable from Wall Materials: Defines content limits and test methods for hazardous metals in wall materials used in industrial and residential buildings.

• Limits of Hazardous Elements in Graphite and Fluorite: Establishes limits for hazardous elements in graphite and fluorite materials.

• Limits for Heavy Metals in Ink: Establishes maximum allowable concentrations for heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and mercury, in ink products.

• Limits of Hazardous Metal Elements Leachable from Wall Materials: Establishes content limits and test methods for hazardous metals in wall materials used in industrial and residential buildings.

These updates reflect China's commitment to modernizing safety, environmental, and technical regulations across multiple sectors.