Updated rules for China-RoHS

                                                                                                                                                                                  China’s Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (MIIT) did at the end of May publish their Announcement No. 11 of 2026, with ‘Compliance Management Catalogue for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in  Electrical and Electronic Products (2026 Edi-tion)’ together with an updated ‘Exemption List for Restricted Substance Applications’. The two new documents became effective from the date of publication. The previous issues from 2018 were simultaneously repealed.

The update was jointly with seven other Chinese authorities, including the State Administration for Market Regulation, which reflects the importance of China RoHS for market access of electrical and electronic products in China. The 2026 update consolidates the original 12 product types from the 2018 catalogue into 10 categories, adds 23 new product categories, and covers 33 product categories in total. It also updates product definitions and scope descriptions and introduces a revised exemption list for restricted substance applications.

The newly covered products are in three groups:

• Consumer electronics and household appliances (such as microwave ovens, rice cookers, water dispensers, projectors, robotic vacuum cleaners, and electronic smart locks);

• Digital and connected devices, (such as smart watches, smart bands, earphones, smart speakers, servers, routers, network switches, and portable power banks);

• Safety- and health-related products, (such as electric toys, reading and writing desk lamps, electronic blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, and hearing aids).

The restricted substances are not changed after the 6 in China RoHS-2 from 2018 was in 2024 increased to 10 (like in Europe from 1 January this year). The maximum concentration values are unchanged. There is a new standard GB 26572-2025 which is mandatory and becomes applicable from 1 August 2027 and then replacing the GB/T 26572-2011 which was in principle merely guidance.

Manufacturers may self-declare or obtain voluntary third-party certification, and the conformity assessment results must be uploaded to the China RoHS Public Service Platform for public supervision. This is a more demanding regime than in European, where such uploading is not required.

The public notification by MIIT can be seen here.

For further information or/and assistance with conformity assessment according to the China-RoHS requirements, please contact Vanessa.Wen@nemko.com or Kenny.Ho@nemko.com .

(This article is based on information provided by Vanessa Wen; edited by T.Sollie)