On 8 May 2023, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State Administration for Market Regulation and other three ministries issued the Announcement of Matters Concerning the Implementation of the China VI Emission Standards for Vehicles (hereinafter referred to as “the Announcement”).

Based on the Announcement, the planned introduction of a stricter national emission standard, known as China VI stage 6b, for all new vehicles will proceed as scheduled from July 1, and will prohibit the production, import and sales of vehicles that do not meet the two standards:

  • GB 18352.6—2016 Limits and measurement methods for emissions from light-duty vehicles (CHINA 6)
  • GB 17691—2018 Limits and measurement methods for emissions from diesel fueled heavy-duty vehicles (China VI)

Revealed in 2018, the China VI standard is largely equivalent to Euro VI, and China VI-b introduces slightly more stringent testing requirements and a remote emission monitoring system. Specifically, the China VI stage 6b standard features reductions in nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emission limits by around 70 percent from the previous China V standard.

For the definition of importation or sales date (to conform with the China VI stage 6b deadline as July 1), the date of import shall be the arrival date of the goods endorsed in the import certificate; the sales date is subject to the date of motor vehicle sales invoice.