China RoHS Regulation: Inclusion of Phthalates in Restricted Substances List

On June 29, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China issued an amendment to the China RoHS regulation. This amendment, detailed in the "Announcement on the Approval and Release of 109 National Standards and 4 National Standard Amendments" (National Standard Announcement [2024] No. 14), expands the scope of the current China RoHS regulation to include restrictions on four additional phthalates:

1. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) - CAS No. 117-81-7
2. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) - CAS No. 85-68-7
3. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) - CAS No. 84-74-2
4. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) - CAS No. 84-69-5

Each of these substances is restricted to a maximum concentration of 0.1% by weight in electronic information products (EIPs). Electronic Information Products (EIPs) encompass a wide range of items, including electronic radar products, communication products, radio and television equipment, computer products, household electronics, electronic measurement devices, and various components and materials used in these products. 

This update aligns China RoHS with international standards like the EU RoHS, aiming to reduce environmental impact and protect human health. The new restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2026, with an 18-month transitional period for manufacturers to comply. 

To facilitate a smooth data collection process, we have integrated these four phthalates into the existing China RoHS Regulation within CDX, marking them as exemptions. This means that by January 2026, users will see these phthalates symbolized by a /> indicating their exemption status when added to the MDS.