Chinese Consumer Products Classification

Consumer Products are classified as general consumer products and special consumer products. Special consumer products include food, cosmetic, medicine, tobacco and others which are regulated by special regulations. The consumer products in this article refer to general consumer products. Classification is mainly the raw material properties of the product, however certain products subject to specific requirements are also classified based on target user. According to the GB/T 36431-2018 “Classification and codes of consumer products”, which came into force on January 1, 2019, consumer products are divided into 11 categories:

• Stationery and sporting goods,

• Household appliances and electrical accessories,

• Electronic and information technology products (computer, digital, telecom products),

• Children’s products,

• Furniture and architectural decoration materials,

• Clothing, shoes, hats and home textiles,

• Daily chemicals and hygiene products,

• Transportation appliance and its related products (including bicycle and its accessories),

• Food-related products,

• Daily sundries,

• And others.

*Food-related products include: food contact materials, dish washing detergents, pressure cookers and other related products

Legislative Framework 

Consumer products cover a wide range of products which are subject to both horizontal standards (which cover numerous categories) and product specific, vertical standards which specify the product specific requirements for discrete product categories which together form a complex legal system.

The principal of safety, preservation of human health and environmental protection guide development and implementation of regulation in China’s consumer product supply chains, throughout the product lifecycle and the various links in product chain of custody.

National Laws:

Product quality law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国产品质量法)

National Standards:

Instructions for Use-GB5296

GB 5296 series (Instructions for use of products of consumer interest) guide consumers on the product functions and properties and instructs on how to use products in a proper and safe manner. It is essential for all products:

• Product name clearly identified the product and reflects the product characteristics

• Product grade, model or mark correctly identifies the product and compliance with relevant national regulations,

• It indicates the user type and user abilities,

• It defines the intended use of products as needed,

• It provides all information needed for correct and safe use of the product or related services.

GB 5296 series includes 7 parts: 

• GB/T 5296.1-2012 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest – Part 1: General principles

• GB/T 5296.2-2008 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest – Part 2:Household and similar electrical appliances

• GB 5296.3-2008 Instruction for use of consumer products – General labeling for cosmetics

• GB/T 5296.4-2012 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest – Part 4: Textiles and apparel

• GB/T 5296.5-2006 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest – Part 5: Toys

• GB/T 5296.6-2004 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest – Part 6: Furniture

• GB/T 5296.7-2008 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest – Part 7: Sports equipment

CCC: Market Access and Involved Categories

China Compulsory Certification

China Compulsory Certification, i.e. CCC, is the market access certification used for products listed in China compulsory Certification-Product List. Listed products require compliance with specified requirements and labeling of the CCC certification mark before leaving the factory, retail, importation or any other operation.

Legal basis:

Regulation on Mandatory Product Certification Management (强制性产品认证管理规定)

Management method for China Compulsory Certification Mark (强制性产品认证标志管理办法)

Fig: CCC basic design

Consumer Products subject to CCC - Electrical and Electronic Products

Another category of consumer products under CCC is EEP (Electrical and Electronic Products).

EEPs are subject to China RoHS 2: Administrative Measures on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products. 

6 hazardous substances materials are subject to limitations and prohibitions in domestic and imported EEPs:

English Translation of China RoHS 2

On 15 March, 2018, China’s MIIT officially released “China RoHS2”- Achieving Management Catalogue for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical Appliances and Electronic Products (first batch) (hereinafter “Catalogue”)and its Exemption List. The regulations came into effect on March 15, 2019. According to the catalog, the first batch of EEPs following hazardous substances restriction stipulated in RoHS 2 contains:

• Refrigerator

• Air conditioner

• Washing machine

• Electric water-heater

• Printer

• Copying machine

• Fax

• Television

• Monitor

• Microcomputer

• Cellular phones

• Telephones

English Translation of the Catalogue                                       English Translation of the Exemption List

ChemLinked has compiled a ChemPedia page to introduce the detailed regulatory compliance for electrical and electronic products: ChemPedia-China RoHS, please check for more detailed requirements.

Other Categories of High Concern

China Detergent & Soap

Detergents and soaps are cleansing products containing surface active agents (surfactant compounds), exclusive of dry-cleaning agents or industrial cleaning products which mainly consist of organic solvents. They may be in any forms of liquid, powder, paste, bar, slide, etc.

From a regulatory perspective and in accordance with GB/T 26396-2011, detergents and soaps are classified into Type A, B and C based on the intended uses and the associated safety and health risks to people:

• Type A – Detergents used on food, food utensils and devices/equipment, fruits and vegetables, etc.

• Type B – Detergents used on human body, such as toilet soap, shampoo, bath products, hand wash, etc.

• Type C – Detergents used on other objects, such as laundry detergent (including softener), sanitary ware/kitchen/glass/floor cleaner, etc.

Each type of detergent may be further classified according to their uses or compositions. For example, in GB 14930.1-2015 Type A detergents are further classified into detergents directly used on food (A) and detergents used on food contact surfaces (B). Laundry detergents in Type C are further classified into phosphorus (HL) and phosphate-free (WL), or non-concentrated (A) and concentrated (B). So, concentrated phosphate-free laundry powders can be coded as “WL-B”.

ChemLinked ChemPedia page- China Detergent & Soap Regulations- further illustrates relevant regulations & policies, and National Standards & Industrial Standards

China Disinfection Product

Disinfectants in China are defined as treatments that kill or eliminate pathogenic microorganisms on a transmitting vector and make it harmless.

ChemLinked ChemPedia page- China Disinfection Product Regulation System and Compliance Strategy – offers a deeper explanation on the legal framework, related regulations/standards and compliance duties.

Data Analysis of Consumer Products in China at A Glance

China has a large population base and shows steady economic growth, making it one of the most promising markets for consumer products. The recent 5-year’s gross values of consumer products are listed in the graph:

*data from National Bureau of Statistics