On November 19, 2024, the Science and Technology department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the drafts of eight national mandatory standards to call for public comments until January 18 of 2025. The standard that attracted most eyeballs are the one for China RoHS, namely the Requirements for restricted use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products (hereinafter referred to as “the RoHS standard”), which will replace the currently effective GB/T 26572-2011 and all its amendment list(s).

Comparing with the currently effective GB/T 26572-2011 and all its amendment list(s), the main changes of the RoHS standard include:

-   Added three term definition (see 3.6, 3.7 and 3.8);

-   Add the classification management requirements (see Chapter 4);

-   Add labeling requirements (see Chapter 6);

-   Added requirements related to the declaration of conformity (see Chapter 7);

-   Add relevant requirements of the inspection rules (see section 8);

Due to its mandatory nature, several rounds of heated discussions have taken place in the process to draft this RoHS standards. If comparing with the previous internal draft, this Draft for comment does include some big changes, mainly include:

-   Remove the expression stating that the RoHS standard will also replace SJ/T 11364, although it still contains a whole chapter of labeling requirements. It remains unclear so far.

-   The requirements for enterprises on establishing digital management platform is cancelled. It has been one of the most controversial sections that was discussed between the drafting members.

-   The whole normative annex that explaining the format and requirements for testing report have been removed.

For foreign stakeholders and MNCs, the working timeline of the RoHS standard seems to be delayed, because according to the working schedule set up by SAC/TC297/SC3 (Test Methods of Hazardous Substances), the draft for comment stage should have been completed in the third quarter of 2024. This delay may lead to a further delay for the final approval application, which was originally planned to be finished before end of March in 2025. It is also worth noting that the RoHS standard is suggested by the TC to be implemented in the 13^th month after its approval.

For previous article regarding the progress of this national mandatory standard for China RoHS, please visit:

https://www.bestao-consulting.com/detail?id=1625&status=china_compliance

https://www.bestao-consulting.com/detail?id=1679&status=china_compliance

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