Understanding China's regulations is essential for any company that hopes to reach this vast and intricate market. In 2025, significant changes will impact CCC certification, SRRC certification, NAL licensing, Energy Labelling requirements, China RoHS compliance, and Cybersecurity certification.
The latest updates show China's commitment to safety, sustainability, energy efficiency, and cyber-security. Importers and manufactures should ensure that they are fully aware about the compliance needs and prepare ahead of time to ensure market access.
CCC Certification: E-Certificates and Broader Scope
China's Compulsory Certification (CCC) scheme is still an essential market-access requirement. To date, China's Compulsory Certification (CCC) program encompasses 17 categories and 106 types of products. New products, such as electrically heated toilet seats (effective July 1, 2025), lithium-ion batteries and electric bicycle charging devices (effective Nov 1, 2025), gas appliance connecting hoses and cut-off valves (effective Oct 1, 2025), explosion-proof lamps, and electric bike rider helmet (Effective May 1, 2025), Fire protection products/combustible gas detection and alarm products (effective July 1, 2025), EV Power Charging equipment (Effective Aug, 2026) etc., have been added by authorities. Implementation is phased in until 2026. Implementation will phase in through 2026.
Manufacturers also need to prepare for revised technical requirements and transition dates for handheld tools, low-voltage switchgear assemblies, household appliances, user devices in vehicles for 5G, and lighting products.
Since January 2024, CCC certificates have been delivered electronically (e-certificates), streamlining paperwork while keeping key essentials like on-site audits and the (CQC mark is voluntary certification scheme) mark intact.
SRRC Type Approval technical standards are changing to marry efficiency with regulation. Non-critical changes such as OEM factory information or small component updates (don’t affect radio functions) no longer require retesting. The system allows product series applications for IT and home appliances featuring embedded pre-approved wireless modules such as WLAN, Bluetooth, and NB-IoT.
Manufacturers need to get ready for more in-depth follow-up inspections involving factories, retail outlets, online stores, and customs declarations. New RF test items for IEEE 802.11be include support for advanced features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO).
IPv6 support has been required since December 2023 for WLAN devices that assign public IP addresses. New wireless charger regulations have been in effect since September 2024 for a wide range of consumer and in-vehicle devices. Regulators have tightened control of frequency use in microwave communications, vehicle radar, and short-range wireless devices, with stricter technical requirements for antenna design and interference mitigation.
NAL Licensing: Revised Categories and Marking Labelling rules
The framework of the Network Access License (NAL) is also evolving. Trial approvals now last for two years. Starting from January 2024, new version of NAL label now can be applied on product through e-labelling, physical printing or sticker, the label shall be generated via MIIT application portal.
China is dropping the legacy categories of fax machines and pagers, and introducing newer ones like satellite internet equipment and virtualization-based equipment employing software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) technology. The change acknowledges the industry's move to software-defined, cloud, and connected infrastructure.
Cybersecurity continues to be a robust regulatory priority. New rules on cybersecurity certifications now encompass high-performance routers, sophisticated switches, servers, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
A total of 34 types of specialized network security appliances will need to be in compliance. They include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, VPN products, antivirus gateways, data backup and restore systems, log analysis software, identity authentication products, and electronic document security management software.
China has eliminated the old Sales License system. Firms are now required to obtain type test reports (three years' duration) from accredited testing laboratories or complete CCRC certification (five years' duration), involving testing, plant inspections, and subsequent surveillance.
Energy Label Requirements: New Product Categories and Deadlines
China's Energy Label scheme is also being extended. Starting from June 2024, the following products will need to bear energy labels: electric welding machines, LED flat panel lights, and commercial electromagnetic stoves.
Additional updates in 2025 include heat pumps, chillers, power transformers, air compressors, microwave ovens, electric rice cookers, AC ventilating fans, and commercial refrigerated cabinets. Tower and rack-mount servers must be labeled from June 2025, but exemptions are in place for specific specialized server models.
Producers need to prepare now to guarantee testing, documentation, and marking are in line with these changing requirements.
China RoHS Compliance: Stricter Limits from 2026
China RoHS requirements will be tightened from January 1, 2026. Ten toxic substances—lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, some brominated flame retardants, and phthalates—will be restricted to levels generally ≤0.1%, cadmium being limited to ≤0.01%.
These are applicable to 12 categories of products such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, TVs, monitors, computers, printers, and mobile phones. Enforcement is possible through Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) or voluntary third-party certification.
Testing procedures comply with IEC 62321 and related GB/T standards, providing transparent, uniform techniques for confirming restricted substance content.
Preparation for Nemko Compliance
These comprehensive updates demonstrate China's continuing focus on product safety, environment sustainability, energy efficiency, and cybersecurity. Importers and manufacturers need to understand these changes to ensure ease of market access without hassles and interruptions.
At Nemko, we help companies navigate this complex regulatory environment with ease. Our global knowledge and local expertise ensure your products will meet all the compliances and enter into the market with complexity into China market whether it be CCC certification, SRRC testing, and NAL licensing to Energy Label compliance, RoHS testing, and cybersecurity certification.
We collaborate closely with our clients, offering practical, reliable counsel to reduce risk, minimize delays, and ensure cost-saving market entry.
If your business is preparing for China's 2025 regulatory updates, contact Nemko today to discuss how we can help you get compliant and stay compliant for continued success in one of the world's biggest markets.