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The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China has just released the Qualification Management Catalogue and the Application Exemption List (2026 Version) for the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products (China RoHS).
Background of the Revision
In 2016, MIIT jointly issued the Administrative Measures on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products with seven other departments, establishing a catalogue - based management system for controlling hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products. In 2018, MIIT released the first batch of catalogues covering 12 types of products (such as televisions and microcomputers) and published an application exemption list for restricted substances based on product conditions within the catalogs.
The formulation of 2026 edition is driven by the need to align domestic regulations with international standards, adapt to new industrial developments, and promote green consumption.
Expanded Product Scope in the 2026 Catalogue
The 2026 edition of the Qualification Management Catalogue significantly expands the scope of regulated products by introducing 23 categories of products (marked in red). The original 12 products have been optimized and consolidated into 10 (e.g., printers, copiers, and fax machines are merged into one category). The 2026 edition now covers a total of 33 categories across five major sectors:
Sector | Number of Categories | Included Products |
|---|---|---|
Home Appliances | 19 | Refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, electric water heaters, televisions, monitoring equipment, projectors, smart speakers, robot vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, rice cookers, water dispensers, electronic smart locks, industrial washing machines, air purifiers, dishwashers, electric ovens, vacuum cleaners, and household gas instantaneous water heaters. |
Information & Communication Equipment | 9 | Printers/copiers/scanners/fax machines and multifunctional devices, microcomputers, mobile communication handsets, standalone telephones, servers, network switching and routing equipment, smart watches/bands, earphones, and portable power banks. |
Lighting Equipment | 1 | Desk lamps for reading and writing. |
Toys | 1 | Electric toys. |
Medical Electronics | 3 | Electronic sphygmomanometers (blood pressure monitors), blood glucose meters, and hearing aids. |
Note: Products in the catalog are only exempt if they are used exclusively as components for products outside the catalog (e.g., a display screen attached to a hospital MRI machine or a car display). However, if these products are sold separately on the market without a specified final use, they fall under the catalog's scope.
Revisions to the Exemption List
The 2026 Exemption List has been updated based on international exemption experiences, specifically referencing Appendices III and IV of the latest EU RoHS Directive (EU) 2024/1416, as well as changes in international environmental conventions.
Key revisions include:
Removal of Contradictory Clauses: Clauses that conflict with the mercury limit requirements in the Minamata Convention on Mercury have been deleted. This includes exemptions for mercury in single-ended (compact) fluorescent lamps for general lighting and double-ended straight fluorescent lamps using tri-band phosphors.
Addition of New Clauses: New exemptions have been added in reference to international standards and the newly expanded product catalog. For example, a new clause covers phthalates in components recovered from electronic medical devices and used for repair or refurbishment.
Implementation Timeline
The implementation of the new regulations will follow a phased approach to ensure a smooth transition:
Immediate Implementation: Products already in the old catalog (first batch) will be subject to the new rules immediately. The new Exemption List will also take effect immediately upon publication.
Transition Period for New Products: Newly added product categories will be granted a transition period and are scheduled to be implemented starting August 1, 2027.
In addition, certain specific products in the old catalogue (first batch) will also be managed as new products, applying from August 1, 2027. These products are:
Laser TVs, standalone scanners;
Cameras for collecting image, text, video, or udio information
Separately sold power adapters and other accessories for mobile communication handheld devices;
Separately sold power adapters and other accessories for microcomputers;
Learning machines and tablet computers equipped with e-ink screens, etc.
Compliance Obligations
Manufacturers and suppliers of products listed in the Qualification Management Catalog must complete the conformity assessment and certification process. It is optional to select the voluntary certification promoted by the state, or the compliance self-declaration to complete the conformity assessment of products in the Catalogue. The final assessment results must be submitted to the China RoHS Public Service Platform.
In addition, companies must also ensure that their products do not exceed the permissible limits for 10 restricted substances as specified in Annex A under GB 26572-2025 and must affix the appropriate conformity labels before placing the products on the Chinese market.
