China's standardization bodies continuously revise and update national standards to reflect new technologies, safety requirements, and international harmonization efforts.
In 2025, several key standards have been updated across critical sectors. Here's what international businesses need to know.
Automotive Sector
The automotive industry saw significant updates, particularly around electric vehicle safety. GB 38031-2025 (Safety Requirements for Power Storage Systems of Electric Vehicles) was revised to include stricter thermal runaway protection requirements and updated testing procedures for battery packs.
This update reflects lessons learned from EV fire incidents and aligns with global best practices. For background on China's EV standards framework, see the SAE International standards database.
Food Safety
Food safety standards continue to evolve as China strengthens its regulatory framework. Updates to GB 9685 (National Food Safety Standard — Uses of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Articles) expanded the list of permitted substances and updated migration limits for several chemical compounds.
The China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) publishes official notices about food safety standard updates.
Construction Materials
Several construction-related standards were updated to improve structural safety and energy efficiency. Standards governing steel grades, concrete specifications, and seismic design requirements were revised to reflect modern construction practices.
What Should Businesses Do?
- Review your product compliance against the latest standard versions
- Check the validity status of standards in your compliance documentation
- Update internal testing procedures to match revised requirements
- Consult with compliance teams about transition timelines
You can search our standards catalog to find the latest English translations of updated Chinese standards.