On December 8, 2025, SAC/TC297/SC3 (Test Methods of Hazardous Substances) issued the draft of national standard Determination of certain substances in electrical and electronic products — Part 11: Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) in plastics by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) (standard project no. 20251980-T-469) for public comments.  

The Draft is a newly developed voluntary national standard, adopting identically the international standard IEC 62321-11:2023, and once adopted, it will become part 11 of the GB/T 39560 series, which is the key supportive testing standard series for China RoHS II. It specifies two detection methods for determining TCEP in polymers from electrical and electronic products (EEP), aiming to provide enterprises with scientific and uniform testing means to address technical trade barriers such as those from the European Union, and to promote international mutual recognition and export of China's electrical and electronic products.

The scope of the standard covers the quantitative analysis of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate in polymer materials such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene, applicable to a concentration range of 200 mg/kg to 2000 mg/kg. It is not applicable to plastics processed at temperatures above 230°C, as TCEP begins to decompose around this temperature. The standard also includes, in its informative appendix, a screening method using pyrolysis/thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py/TD-GC-MS).

The main content of the standard includes reagents and materials, apparatus and equipment, sample preparation, analytical procedures, calibration methods, calculation of results, precision data, quality assurance and control requirements, and specifications for the test report. It details the operational steps and technical parameters for the two methods (GC-MS and LC-MS), ensuring the accuracy and comparability of test results.

The primary reason for formulating the Draft is to align with international testing methods, promote international mutual recognition of China's RoHS detection system, support the electrical and electronic sectors in responding to foreign technical regulations, and enhance product quality and supply chain management. During the identical adoption of the international standard, only editorial modifications such as the standard title were made to maintain consistency with the existing series of domestic standards.

According to the information disclosed by the TC, the standard plans to complete the public consultation by February 8, 2026, after which it will proceed to review, approval, and other stages. If progress proceeds smoothly, it is expected to be published and implemented no later than 2027.

For foreign stakeholders, the implementation of this standard will provide an authoritative and uniform testing method for TCEP, helping enterprises strengthen quality control of raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products, reduce product compliance risks, and improve supply chain management. But considering it is an identical adoption of IEC standards, the potential impact that may be brought by its implementation shall be limited to a reasonable scale.