China RoHS regulation on electrical and electronic products published

On 21 January 2016, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published Decree 32 that the Administrative Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (“the Measures”) passed the review at MIIT conference. Upon approval of National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ), the Measures is officially published and will apply on 1 July 2016, repealing the previous version published on 28 February 2016. It deserves special notice that all products exported to China shall also be subject to the Measures since 1 July 2016.

The Measures is basically harmonised with the draft in May with major amendments as the following:
1. Expand product scope. It expands product scope from electronic information products (EIP) to electrical and electronic products. The definition of electrical and electronic products has been harmonised with EU's definition.
Definition: Electrical and electronic products refer to the devices and accessory products with rated working electrical voltages that do not exceed 1500V direct current and do not exceed 1000V alternating current and function by means of current or electromagnetic fields and generate, transmit and measure such currents and electromagnetic fields.
2. Delete the exemption for product export. It deletes the exemption granted for electrical and electronic products made in China but intended for export.
3. Expand the scope of restricted substances. Alter “Lead”, “Mercury”, “Cadmium” and “Chromium VI” to “Lead and its compounds”, “Mercury and its compounds”, “Cadmium and its compounds” and “Chromium VI compounds”.
4. Improve the administration mode. A list of electrical and electronic products will be added to the catalogue of electrical and electronic products subject to compliance management, which is prepared by MIIT and other seven competent departments (as mentioned above). Meanwhile, an assessment system is established by Certification and Accreditation Administration and MIIT to administer products listed in the catalogue.

The Measures will apply in July 2016, which may have great impact on enterprises engaging in electrical and electronic products. C&K Testing advises companies to learn about the technical requirements in the new Measures so as to deal with the new challenges promptly.

For companies to export products to China market, it is advisable to send the products for testing prior to entry. C&K Testing can help you assure of your product quality so as to avoid economic losses.