China’s revised GB 6675 serial toy safety standards took effect on November 1, 2026, introducing updated chemical, mechanical, physical and flammability requirements. Published on October 5, 2025, the four mandatory national standards replace their 2014 predecessors and strengthen the technical requirements applicable to toys supplied to the Chinese market.

In an October 28 announcement, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) highlighted broader controls on hazardous substances, requirements addressing emerging toy categories, and improved fire safety testing. Foreign manufacturers and importers should assess both product compliance and any necessary China Compulsory Certification (CCC) updates. SAMR announcement

The four standards and their international relationships

Parts 1, 3 and 4 replace their corresponding 2014 editions. Part 2 additionally replaces GB 6675.12—2014, Safety of toys—Part 12: Toy scooters, consolidating scooter requirements within the mechanical and physical safety standard.

“Modified adoption” means that the Chinese standards contain differences from the referenced ISO documents. Compliance with ISO 8124 therefore does not automatically demonstrate compliance with all Chinese requirements. Businesses should compare the applicable Chinese clauses, test methods and national deviations against their existing technical documentation. Official catalogue: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Expanded safety requirements

Chemical safety is a major focus. According to SAMR, the revision adds limits covering ten categories of hazardous substances, including formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), short-chain chlorinated paraffins and boron. These changes broaden chemical controls and may require manufacturers to reassess materials, formulations and supplier evidence.

Mechanical and physical safety updates include requirements for yo-yos and food-imitating toys, together with revised requirements and testing methods for expanding toys and toy scooters. Manufacturers should review the requirements relevant to each product’s design and foreseeable use.

For fire safety, the standards strengthen restrictions on open-flame devices, add flammability requirements for masks and other head-worn toys, and improve testing methods for disguise costumes, toys intended to be entered by children, and soft-filled toys. SAMR technical summary

Production, inventory and certification transitions

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology described a “12+12” transition approach: approximately twelve months between publication and implementation for production adjustments, followed by another twelve months for the sale of inventory manufactured under the previous standards. Newly manufactured products must meet the revised requirements after the production transition ends. Businesses should distinguish this inventory arrangement from certification conversion deadlines. MIIT briefing

For certificates issued by the China Quality Certification Centre (CQC), certification under the revised standards and the new toy certification rules, CNCA-C22-02:2026, applies from November 1, 2026.

CQC requires existing certificate holders to complete conversion after implementation and before their next follow-up inspection concludes, with all conversions completed before November 1, 2027. Outstanding certificates will be suspended; those still unconverted on February 1, 2028 will be withdrawn. Supplementary testing is required where new test items apply. CQC also provides an exemption from conversion for certified products already released from the factory and placed on the market before November 1, 2026, where production has ceased. Holders of certificates issued by other bodies should check their respective arrangements. CQC conversion notice

BESTAO Analysis & Recommendations

BESTAO considers that the revision requires coordinated action across product development, purchasing, testing and certification. International alignment may help companies reuse relevant technical evidence, but China-specific differences still require a documented gap assessment.

Manufacturers should first map affected models, materials and suppliers against the revised requirements. Chemical controls deserve particular attention because formulation changes may affect multiple product lines. Mechanical and flammability reviews should then identify products requiring redesign or additional testing.

Companies should agree on supplementary testing and certificate conversion with their certification bodies, while keeping production dates, inventory records and certification status traceable. Sales teams should receive clear instructions on which products may continue to be supplied during the transition. Completing these checks together will help prevent discrepancies between compliant designs, production materials and the products actually entering the Chinese market.