On May 28, 2024, SAC/TC297/SC3 organized a working meeting in Shenyang, Liaoning province, to discuss the draft of the national mandatory standard project for China RoHS, officially titled Requirements for certain restricted substances in electrical and electronic products (hereinafter referred to as “the Standard Draft”).
Approximately 60 experts participated in the meeting. During the event, the leader of the China Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI), which hosts the SC’s secretariat, emphasized the importance of the strategic direction indicated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). According to the speakers, the key focus areas highlighted by the top regulators include: enhancing the applicability and efficacy of the standard; aligning with relevant international standards; and bolstering the production and quality of environmentally friendly products.
The current iteration of the Standard Draft comprises seven chapters and four annexes. The primary objectives of the working meeting were to present the feedback gathered during internal consultations – 60 in total – and address queries from the experts within the working group. These led to minor adjustments in the current draft to improve clarity and coherence, which was then thoroughly reviewed during the meeting. Additionally, Annex C focusing on the Information System Requirements for Restricted Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products, was elevated from informative to normative status.
Recognizing the pivotal role of this standard, which is slated to replace two core standards in the China RoHS framework (i.e., GB/T 26572 for concentration limits and SJ/T 11364 for marking and labeling), meeting attendees engaged in detailed discussions on various topics including the structure, detailed requirements, quantitative criteria for conformity assessment, and specifications outlined in Annexes B and C.
The working group intends to continue gathering feedback from experts and finalize a draft for public consultation by June 28, 2024. The subsequent working meeting on this standard is scheduled for the end of September.
