China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued Announcement No. 11 of 2026 on May 28, 2026, publishing the Compliance Management Catalogue for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (2026 Edition) — commonly referred to as the China RoHS 2026 Catalogue — together with an updated Exemption List for Restricted Substance Applications. The Catalogue and the Exemption List took effect on the date of publication, and the previous Catalogue and Exemption List issued under MIIT Announcement No. 15 of 2018 are simultaneously repealed.
The update was developed jointly with seven other Chinese authorities, including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Administration for Market Regulation — reflecting the cross-ministry importance of China RoHS as a market access framework.
What Has Changed
The 2026 update consolidates the original 12 product types from the 2018 catalogue into 10 categories, adds 23 new product categories, and covers 33 product categories in total. It also updates product definitions and scope descriptions, and introduces a revised exemption list for restricted substance applications.
The newly covered products fall into three practical areas: consumer and household electronics, such as microwave ovens, rice cookers, water dispensers, projectors, robotic vacuum cleaners, and electronic smart locks; digital and connected devices, such as smart watches, smart bands, earphones, smart speakers, servers, routers, network switches, and portable power banks; and safety- and health-related products, such as electric toys, reading and writing desk lamps, electronic blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, and hearing aids.
Restricted Substances
The 2026 Catalogue maintains the same ten restricted substances that have applied under China RoHS 2 since the 2018 edition: lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Maximum concentration values apply at the homogeneous material level.
New Mandatory Standard: GB 26572-2025
A critical element of this update is its alignment with GB 26572-2025, China’s new mandatory standard on restricted hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, which becomes applicable from August 1, 2027, replacing the previous GB/T 26572-2011. This is a significant shift — the “GB” designation makes it a compulsory standard rather than a recommended one. Products in the 2026 Catalogue must conform to the substance limits and requirements set out in GB 26572-2025 once it enters into force.
Conformity Assessment Requirements
Products listed in the Catalogue are subject to China’s conformity assessment system. Manufacturers must either self-declare or obtain third-party certification, and conformity assessment results must be uploaded to the China RoHS Public Service Platform for public supervision. This is a more demanding regime than the EU RoHS approach, where self-declaration without platform submission is the norm.
Key Compliance Dates
| Date | Requirement | |
|---|---|---|
| May 28 | 2026 | 2026 Catalogue and Exemption List take effect; 2018 Catalogue repealed |
| May 28 | 2026 onward | Products already in the previous catalogue continue under updated requirements — no separate transition |
| August 1 | 2027 | Newly added product categories become subject to full compliance management requirements. GB 26572-2025 becomes mandatory |
What This Means for Manufacturers and Exporters
Companies that previously treated China RoHS as a marking or disclosure-only issue may now need to prepare substance restriction verification and conformity assessment for additional products. With 23 new product categories now in scope — including widely traded consumer electronics like smart speakers, servers, routers, and network switches — the 2026 update will affect a broad range of global manufacturers selling into the Chinese market.
Manufacturers should audit their current product portfolios against the 2026 Catalogue, identify which products are newly in scope, begin supplier engagement and hazardous substance data collection, and plan conformity assessment pathways well ahead of the August 1, 2027 deadline.
To read the official notification (Mandarin only), access below.
How C-PRAV Can Support You
C-PRAV supports manufacturers and exporters with environmental and chemical compliance for global markets, including China RoHS conformity assessment, technical documentation, and market access advisory. Our team can help you determine which of your products fall within the 2026 Catalogue, assess compliance gaps against the ten restricted substances and GB 26572-2025 requirements, and manage the conformity assessment process — whether through self-declaration or third-party certification — including submission to the China RoHS Public Service Platform.
Have questions? We’re here to help.