How Chinese Standards Work

China's standardization system is organized in a strict hierarchy of five levels. Understanding which level applies to your product or project is critical for market access and compliance.

Important distinction

"Recommended" (推荐, GB/T) does not mean optional in practice. GB/T standards are routinely referenced in government procurement, contracts, and regulatory enforcement. Treat them as effectively mandatory for business in China.

Tier 1GB

~4,000 standards

National Mandatory Standards

Compulsory standards issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). Non-compliance is illegal. Cover safety, health, and environmental protection.

GB 38031-2020 — EV battery safety

GB 18384-2020 — Electric vehicle safety

GB 5749-2022 — Drinking water quality

Tier 2GB/T

~42,000 standards

National Recommended Standards

Technically voluntary but widely treated as de facto mandatory. Referenced in contracts, procurement specs, and regulatory enforcement. Issued by the National Standardization Administration.

GB/T 18801-2022 — Air cleaners

GB/T 31486-2015 — EV lithium battery cycle life

Tier 3Various

~70,000+ standards

Industry Standards

Issued by relevant government ministries. 80+ sector codes (HG/T for chemicals, YY/T for medical, JB/T for machinery, etc.). Can be mandatory or recommended.

HG/T 2006-2022 — Hot melt adhesive

YY/T 0287-2017 — Medical device QMS

DL/T 5210-2019 — Thermal power plant construction

Tier 4DB

~50,000+ standards

Local / Provincial Standards

Issued by provincial or SAR governments. Prefix DB followed by a region code (DB11 for Beijing, DB44 for Guangdong, DB81 for Hong Kong). Address local regulatory needs.

DB11 — Beijing standards

DB44 — Guangdong standards

DB81 — Hong Kong standards

Tier 5T/ & Q/

~30,000+ standards

Association & Enterprise Standards

Group standards from industry associations (T/ prefix) and internal enterprise standards (Q/ prefix). Voluntary but often define best practices. Example: T/CAS from China Association for Standardization.

T/CAS 303-2018 — Association standard

Q/BQB 310-2018 — BaoSteel enterprise standard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between GB and GB/T?

GB (Guójiā Biāozhǔn) are mandatory national standards with legal force. GB/T (Guójiā Biāozhǔn / Tuījiàn) are technically 'recommended' but are widely enforced through contracts, procurement, and regulation. In practice, both should be treated as requirements for doing business in China.

Which standards apply to my product?

This depends on your product category, target market, and regulatory requirements. Start by identifying the relevant sector code (e.g., QC/T for automotive, YY/T for medical devices), then search for standards by keyword within that sector.

Are English translations legally binding?

The Chinese-language original is always the legally authoritative text. English translations are for reference and comprehension purposes, helping international teams understand the requirements for compliance.

How often are standards updated?

Standards are revised on varying cycles. Some are updated every 3-5 years, while others may remain unchanged for decades. Our database tracks the current status (Valid, Superseded, Withdrawn) for every standard.