GB 26396-2026Safety technical specification for cleaning products (English PDF)

3.1 Cleaning products

Formulated products containing soap and/or surfactants for washing and cleaning purposes.

NOTE: Cleaning products encompass any form (liquid, granule, powder, paste, bar, block, flake, etc.) and are classified under "Manufacture of soap and synthetic detergents" in GB/T 4754-2017, bearing the code 2681.

3.2 Surface active agent; surfactant; tenside

A surface-active compound that, when dissolved in a liquid - particularly water - significantly reduces surface or interfacial tension due to preferential adsorption at the liquid-gas surface or other interfaces.

NOTE: Surfactants are compounds whose molecules contain at least one group with an affinity for highly polar surfaces (ensuring water solubility in most cases) and one non-polar group with little to no affinity for water. [Source: GB/T 5327-2008, Clause 2, 1, modified]

3.3 Primary biodegradation

The process by which the chemical structure of a test substance undergoes change due to biological action, resulting in the loss of its properties. [Source: GB/T 21801-2008, 2.2]

3.4 Ultimate biodegradation

The process by which compounds or organic substances are degraded by microorganisms into carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and mineral salts in elemental form, and assimilated as part of the microorganisms.

3.5 Manufacturer

A natural person or legal entity responsible for placing a cleaning product on the market.

NOTE 1: Any person who acts as a manufacturer, importer, or repacker, or who alters the characteristics of a cleaning product or creates or alters its labeling, is deemed to be a manufacturer.

NOTE 2: A distributor who does not alter the characteristics, labeling, or packaging of a cleaning product is not considered a manufacturer, unless that distributor also acts as an importer.

[Source: Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Chapter 1, 10, modified]

3.6 Harmful substance

Substances generated or introduced during the processes of sourcing raw materials for cleaning products, packaging, manufacturing, transportation, and storage, which - upon human exposure - may pose potential risks to human health.

4.1 Basic requirements

Under normal, reasonable, and foreseeable conditions of use, cleaning products shall not pose a risk to human health or the safety of animals and plants, and the environmental impact of the products and their post-use discharge shall remain within acceptable limits.

4.2 Raw material requirements

4.2.1 General requirements

The substances (ingredients) used to formulate cleaning products shall comply with the following requirements:

a) Substances listed in the inventory of persistent organic pollutants shall not be used.

NOTE 1: For the list of persistent organic pollutants, refer to the "Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants".

b) Substances used in the formulation of cleaning products shall meet one of the following conditions:

1) Substances permitted for use under GB 14930.1;

2) Substances included in the list of used cosmetic raw materials via relevant government announcements;

3) Substances confirmed through safety assessments conducted by manufacturers, raw material suppliers, or professional institutions in accordance with GB/T 41828 to be:

- Substances classified as low-hazard;

- Substances classified as posing medium-to-high hazards require further exposure-based safety assessments to confirm that the risk is acceptable. For substances classified as germ cell mutagens, reproductive toxicants, or carcinogens, even if the risk is deemed acceptable, the usage level must be no greater than 0.1% by mass (exceptions require support from regulations issued by administrative authorities or authoritative bodies regarding specific materials and their specific uses).

c) The use of fragrances shall comply with the restrictions specified for the relevant categories in GB/T 22731.

d) The use of prohibited and restricted substances in cleaning products shall comply with the provisions of Annex A.

NOTE 2: Annex B lists reference standards for test methods regarding prohibited and restricted substances in cleaning products.

4.2.2 Surfactants

Surfactants used in cleaning products must be biodegradable, and their impact - as well as that of their degradation products - on flora, fauna, and the environment must fall within acceptable limits. Specifically, the primary biodegradation of the surfactant must be at least 90%, or its ultimate biodegradation must be at least 60%.

4.2.3 Harmful substances

Harmful substances remaining from raw materials used in cleaning products shall comply with the provisions of relevant national or industry standards. In the absence of relevant standards, an assessment shall be conducted in accordance with 4.2.1b)3) to confirm that levels are within acceptable safety limits.

4.3 Product (cleaning products) requirements

4.3.1 Prior to market launch, the product's safety meets the following requirements under normal use, based on the provided usage instructions or label specifications.

a) For products that come into contact with human skin, safety information or data regarding skin irritation, corrosivity, or sensitization potential at the effective concentration shall be available;

b) For products that come into contact with the eyes, safety information or data shall be available demonstrating that the product causes no serious eye damage at the concentration used.

The product safety information or data shall consist of any of the following:

- Product safety assessment report.

NOTE: Prepare the safety assessment report by referring to the examples provided in the "Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Safety Assessment (Edition 2021)" and GB/T 41828-2022.

- Safety assessment reports or safety data for the formulation ingredients. Such data may be derived from conclusions by safety assessment agencies; safety data, safety assessment reports, or Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for raw materials provided by suppliers; non-testing or predictive data (such as data on chemicals with similar structures); or toxicological data obtained via the methods specified in 5.3.

- Toxicological test data - measured in accordance with the method specified in 5.3 and corresponding to the product's application scenario - such as data on skin irritation, corrosion, or sensitization for products contacting human skin, and data demonstrating the absence of serious eye damage for products contacting the eyes.

- For products with similar formulation systems or ingredients with a history of use, assessments may be conducted based on the principle of weight of evidence, […]