Background

January 21, 2016, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China officially issued “Management Methods for the restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic product”. The new management methods will come into force from July 1, 2016.

Main changes of new Management Methods include products applicable range, scope of harmful substances and management mode and so on. In the aspect of product scope, FAQ of Management Methods issued on May 16, 2016 clearly stated that domestic gas cooking appliances, gas heaters, gas water heaters and other electric auxiliary household appliances belong to the control range of Management Methods, related enterprises need to ensure that products produced in and after July 1, 2016 comply with the requirement.

Enterprise to Deal With Practice

The "Management Methods" use the "two steps to go" work ideas, "the first step" requires a mark and disclosure of any hazardous substances and their locations within the product (According SJ/T11364-2014); “the second step” requires the electric and electronic products included in "Compliance Management Catalog" to be managed according to the system of conformity assessment. The gas enterprises should carry out related work according to the following process.

1. Survey the harmful substances content in products. Interested parties may investigate by the way but not limited to the following combinations. a) Require the upstream suppliers to provide related self-declaration information and supporting documents; b) On the basis of the existing real and effective inspection report from any party, or on its own or entrust a third party undertakes detecting to the harmful material in products; c) Valid third-party product certification.

2. The harmful substances of product should be identified according to the survey. Green symbol means the product does not contain any hazardous substances, Orange symbol means the product contains certain hazardous substances.

CTI Suggestion

The new "MANAGEMENT METHODS" come into force have great influence on related enterprises during production, sale, and import of electrical and electronic products in the People’s Republic of China. Gas appliance enterprises need to understand and master the technology content of the new management method and carry out supply chain survey so as to deal with the new challenges timely.