On May 28, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) officially issued Announcement No.11 of 2026, releasing the 2026 Revision of the Catalogue for Restricted Substance Compliance Control of Electrical and Electronic Products and the 2026 Revision of the Exemption List for Restricted Substance Applications under the Compliance Control Catalogue. Both documents took effect upon release, while the old versions specified in Announcement No.15 of 2018 were abolished simultaneously.
This new regulation marks a landmark upgrade of China RoHS. The scope of regulated products has expanded from the original 12 categories to 33 major product types, with four additional phthalate substances added to the control list. Overall regulatory requirements are accelerating alignment with EU RoHS standards. Manufacturers, importers and sellers of home appliances, digital devices, medical electronics and smart hardware across the entire industrial chain shall launch compliance rectification as soon as possible.
I. Core Revisions to the Regulation
(1) Expansion of the Compliance Control Catalogue
The 2026 Compliance Control Catalogue reorganizes and optimizes the original first batch of 12 regulated product categories. Printers, copiers and fax machines are merged into one category: "Printing, Copying, Scanning, Fax Equipment & Multi-function All-in-One Devices", reducing the original categories to 10 retained types. On this basis, 23 new mature product categories are added to the control scope. After adjustment, the catalogue covers a total of 33 major product groups. The new regulation clarifies the product name, definition, applicable scope and corresponding implementation deadline for each category item by item.
Category | Product List | Implementation Requirements |
10 Optimized Retained Categories from the 2018 Version | Refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, electric water heaters, printing/copying/scanning/fax multi-function machines (merged from separate printers, copiers and fax machines), televisions, monitors, microcomputers, mobile handsets, fixed-line telephones | Effective immediately; comply with the 10 restricted substances specified in the new regulation and complete conversion of conformity assessment promptly |
23 Newly Added Categories in the 2026 Version | Industrial washing machinery, air purifiers, water dispensers, dishwashers, electric ovens, microwave ovens, rice cookers, vacuum cleaners, robot vacuum cleaners, household instant gas water heaters, projectors, smart speakers, electronic smart locks, servers, network switches & routers, smart watches & bands, headsets, portable power banks, desk lamps for reading & writing, electric toys, electronic blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, hearing aids | Mandatory compliance effective August 1, 2027; subject to conformity management |
*List of Controlled Substances (10 in total, complying with national standard GB26572-2025)
6 basic restricted substances: Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr??), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs), Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
4 newly added phthalate controls: DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP
(2) Updated Exemption List
Revised with reference to the Minamata Convention and EU RoHS exemption rules, the new exemption list takes effect on the release date and fully replaces the old version:
1、Deletion & Optimization: 6 old exemptions removed and 1 original clause revised in line with the Minamata Convention new rules;
2、Addition & Refinement: 10 existing items refined and 6 new exemption entries added matching newly regulated products (including phthalate exemptions for disassembled and refurbished medical device components);
3、Final Version: The list is categorized into 5 major sections containing a total of 56 exemption clauses.
II. Implementation Timelines
1、Immediate Effect (May 28, 2026 onwards): The 10 retained home appliance & digital product categories from the original catalogue, as well as the new version of the Exemption List;
2、Transition Period until August 1, 2027: All 23 newly added product types and their supporting accessories (adapters, cameras, etc.);
3、Permanent General Requirement: All electrical and electronic products (whether included in the catalogue or not) must permanently mark hazardous substance labels as required by regulations.
III. Mandatory Regulatory Compliance Requirements
1、Conformity to Limit Values: Products covered by the catalogue must keep the content of the 10 restricted substances within the limit values specified in the mandatory national standard GB26572-2025;
2、Conformity Assessment: Enterprises may choose one of two compliance certification paths: ① Voluntary China RoHS Product Certification ② Product Self-Declaration. All assessment documents must be uploaded to the official MIIT public platform: chinarohs.miit.gov.cn;
3、Joint Multi-department Supervision: The MIIT, State Administration for Market Regulation and General Administration of Customs will carry out regular random inspections and audits on products available on the market;
4、Mandatory Labelling Requirements [Key Point]: Electronic products not listed in the control catalogue are also required to mark hazardous substance information and standard RoHS logos. Only components covered by the Exemption List are exempted from substance limit control under corresponding exemption clauses.
IV. Compliance Suggestions for Enterprises
Standardized rectification steps for manufacturers, importers and distributors of electrical and electronic products are sorted out as follows:
1、Screen all self-owned products item by item against the new catalogue to confirm whether they fall within the 33 regulated categories;
2、Break down product BOM lists to identify hazardous substance risks in raw materials and homogeneous components;
3、Distinguish existing stock products and newly developed products, and carry out phased rectification by making full use of the transition period ending August 1, 2027;
4、Update material declarations and third-party hazardous substance test reports provided by upstream suppliers simultaneously;
5、Conduct supplementary hazardous substance testing and verification for products in accordance with the new national standard GB26572-2025;
6、Check whether each component qualifies for exemption clauses in the Exemption List and retain supporting exemption documents;
7、Prepare full filing materials in advance for either voluntary RoHS certification or self-declaration;
8、Self-inspect hazardous substance markings on product outer packaging and user manuals, and complete labelling rectification.
