China's first mandatory national standard for children's products, "General Safety Requirements for Children's Products" (GB46523-2025), will take effect on November 1, 2026.
This standard establishes basic safety requirements for common risks associated with various types of children's products, without replacing existing standards for children's toys and bicycles. It focuses on preventing physical hazards such as cuts and suffocation, as well as contamination from harmful chemicals. It applies to products used, played with, or worn by children under the age of 14, excluding children's medications, cosmetics, food, amusement facilities, sports equipment, teaching aids, medical devices, and fireworks.
At the structural safety level, the standard sets forth multiple mandatory requirements: products for children under 3 years old must not have any hazardous sharp edges or protrusions that are accessible; for products intended for children aged 3 to 8, if sharp protrusions are necessary for functionality, clear warning labels must be affixed; product openings and gaps must prevent finger pinching; detachable small parts must be securely fastened to avoid choking hazards; the length of cords and straps is strictly regulated to mitigate risks of entanglement and injury. Regarding material safety, the standard establishes limits for seven categories of harmful substances, including migratable heavy metals, phthalates, and formaldehyde, while prohibiting the sale of children's products with pungent odors.
Standard manufacturers and distributors must complete product evaluation and rectification before formal implementation. After the transition period, the production and sale of children's products that do not comply with the standards are prohibited.
