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

1 Scope

GB 26396-2026 is the Chinese national standard covering the safety of detergents and cleaning products - the substances they may not contain, the limits on those they may, the pH and skin irritation, the microbiological requirements and the warnings and child resistance where the contents demand it. The prefix changes: GB/T 26396-2011 was recommended and this revision is mandatory. In force from 1 May 2027. It was issued on 30 April 2026 and takes effect on 1 May 2027, replacing GB/T 26396-2011. The document is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. This page is published from the official record of the 2026 edition; the clause text of a standard this recent is not yet in circulation, and the figures, limits and tables it contains are those of the document itself, delivered in full with the English translation.

This document defines terms and definitions for cleaning products. It specifies requirements, risk control measures, labeling requirements, and implementation standards. It describes the corresponding test methods. This document applies to the research and development, production, and sales of cleaning products. This document does not apply to cleaning products classified as cosmetics or disinfectants, nor to cleaning products for food use or for medical and industrial cleaning. This document does not apply to dry-cleaning agents containing organic solvents as cleaning ingredients.

2 Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

GB/T 13173, Surface active agents -- Test methods for detergents

GB 14930.1, Hygienic standards for detergent for food tools and installations

GB/T 15818, Test method for biodegradability of surfactants

GB/T 21604, Chemicals -- Test method of acute dermal irritation/corrosion

GB/T 21608, Chemicals -- Test method of skin sensitization

GB/T 21609, Chemicals -- Test method of acute eye irritation/corrosion

GB/T 21801, Testing of chemicals -- Ready biodegradability -- Manometric respirometry test

GB/T 21802, Testing of chemicals -- Ready biodegradability -- Modified MITI test (I)

GB/T 21803, Testing of chemicals -- Ready biodegradability -- DOC die-away test

GB/T 21827, Chemicals -- Test method of skin sensitization -- Local lymph node assay

GB/T 21831, Testing of chemicals -- Ready biodegradability -- Closed bottle test

GB/T 21856, Testing of chemicals -- Ready biodegradability -- CO2 evolution test

GB/T 21857, Testing of chemicals -- Ready biodegradability -- Modified OECD screening test

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

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 Requirements

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.