GB/T 19606-2024Noise limits for household and similar electrical appliances (English PDF)

1 Scope

GB/T 19606-2024 sets the noise limits for household and similar electrical appliances in China. Appliance noise is one of the few product attributes a customer can judge in a showroom and cannot judge from a specification sheet unless the number is comparable, and it has become a competitive point in the Chinese market as apartments have got quieter and open-plan kitchens more common. This standard fixes the limits by appliance category, covering refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, range hoods, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, fans and the rest, each expressed as a sound power level and referred to the measurement method in the relevant appliance standard, together with the operating condition at which the measurement is made, the declaration of the noise value and the verification of a declared value against the limit, and the marking. The 2024 edition replaces GB/T 19606-2004 and takes effect in September 2026, tightening most of the limits. For an appliance maker or an importer selling into China, this is the ceiling.

This document specifies the noise limits and labeling requirements for household and similar electrical appliances. It describes the corresponding test methods. This document applies to the design, production and inspection of household and similar electrical appliances with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances.

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 4214.1-2017, Test method for noise of household and similar electrical appliances -- General requirements

GB/T 4214.2-2020, Test method for noise of household and similar electrical appliances--Particular requirements for vacuum cleaners

GB/T 4214.3-2023, Test method for noise of household and similar electrical appliances -- Particular requirements for dishwashers

GB/T 4214.4-2020, Test method for noise of household and similar electrical appliances -- Particular requirements for washing machines and spin extractors

3 Terms and definitions

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

3.1 microwave oven An appliance that uses electromagnetic energy in one or more ISM bands with a frequency of 300 MHz~30 GHz to heat food and beverages in a cavity.

4 Noise limit requirements for appliances

4.1 General requirements Neither the measured nor the stated value of the appliance noise shall exceed the noise limit of the appliance.

4.2 Noise limit requirements for various products The noise limit requirements for various products are as follows:

5 Test methods

5.1 General requirements Unless otherwise specified, the noise test of the equipment shall be carried out in accordance with the test method specified in GB/T 4214.1-2017.

6 Marks on products

The noise level of the appliance shall be clearly stated on the product label or in the instructions for use.

Annex A

(normative) Test methods for sound power level noise of room air conditioners A.1 Overview This method is applicable to the sound power level noise test of free-air supply room air conditioners for household and similar purposes that use air-cooled and water-cooled condensers, fully enclosed motor-compressors, and have a rated cooling capacity of less than 14,000 W and are intended to create a comfortable indoor environment. This method is not applicable to the sound power level noise test of mobile air conditioners, multi-split air conditioning units, duct air supply air conditioners, and unitary air conditioners. A.2 Measurement method and acoustic environment The measurement method and acoustic environment shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 4 of GB/T 4214.1-2017. The sound power level noise test of room air conditioners (hereinafter referred to as "air conditioners") is carried out under the rated cooling and/or rated heating (high temperature) operating conditions specified in GB/T 7725-2022. A.3 Measuring instruments A.3.1 Acoustic measuring instruments Acoustic measuring instruments shall meet the requirements of