New National Standard for Recycled Materials in Household Appliances Approved, Effective May 2026

On November 19, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration) approved and released the national standard "Specification for the Use of Recycled Materials in Household Appliance Products" (GB/T 46730-2025), which will officially come into effect on May 1, 2026.

Firstly, material selection balances performance and environmental protection. The standard requires that recycled materials must meet the design and usage requirements of household appliance products. Recycled material components used in critical parts must undergo verification tests to demonstrate reliability equivalent to that of virgin material components. At the same time, while ensuring product performance and quality, priority should be given to recycled materials that are widely sourced, easy to recycle, and environmentally friendly, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts.

Secondly, a full-chain quality control and traceability mechanism is established. The standard requires household appliance manufacturers, component manufacturers, and recycled material suppliers to establish a collaborative traceability mechanism. This strengthens the control of recycled materials throughout the usage process and ensures detailed information records. All traceability documents, including procurement records, production records, inspection reports, and sales vouchers, must be retained for at least five years to ensure the accessibility and traceability of recycled material in