Overview
In July 2025, China's State Administration for Market Regulation issued the mandatory national standard "Limits of Harmful Substances in Coatings Part 1: Architectural Coatings" (GB 30981.1-2025). This standard integrates the existing "Limits of Harmful Substances in Wall Coatings for Construction" (GB 18582-2020) and "Limits of Harmful Substances in Indoor Floor Coatings" (GB 38468-2019) and will officially take effect on June 1, 2026.
The new national standard for architectural coatings introduces significant revisions in the following three areas.
Core Revision 1: Reorganized and Integrated Standard
Consolidated New Standard
The new standard is primarily based on "Limits of Harmful Substances in Wall Coatings for Construction" (GB 18582-2020) and incorporates certain content from "Limits of Harmful Substances in Indoor Floor Coatings" (GB 38468-2019).
Adjusted Product Categories
Under the new national standard, architectural coatings are classified as follows:
Water-based wall coatings;
Floor coatings (newly added category, including outdoor floor coatings such as polyurethane, acrylic, and silicon PU floor coatings);
Auxiliary materials (newly added category, including putty, color paste, curing agents, etc.).
Removed Content
Decorative panel coatings are now governed by "Limits of Harmful Substances in Coatings Part 2: Industrial Coatings" (GB 30981.2-2025).
Exemptions:
Building waterproof coatings and coatings for synthetic surface sports fields are separately regulated under the "Safety Technical Specification for Building Waterproof Coatings" (GB 45671-2025) and "Synthetic Surface Sports Fields for Primary and Secondary Schools" (GB 36246-2018), respectively.
Core Revision 2: "Substantial Expansion" of the Indicator System
Water-based Wall Coatings
Refined product classification and broadened scope of indicators.
New Indicators:
SVOC Content: Not applicable to organic powder coatings and inorganic powder coating materials for construction.
Total Arsenic (As) Content: ≤60 mg/kg.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) Content: ≤300 mg/kg.
Revised Indicators:
Adjustments to the classification and corresponding VOC indicators for water-based wall coatings.
Inclusion of octylphenol and nonylphenol under the "Total Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEO) Content" indicator.
Floor Coatings
Enhanced regulation of solvent-based products.
New Indicators:
SVOC Content: Not applicable to powder floor coatings.
Total Halogenated Hydrocarbons: ≤0.1% (limited to 11 substances, including dichloromethane).
Total Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Content: ≤500 mg/kg (limited to naphthalene and anthracene).
Free 4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) Content: ≤1.0% (specific to epoxy curing agents).
Formaldehyde Content: ≤500 mg/kg (applicable to solvent-based and solvent-free floor coatings).
Revised Indicators:
Unified VOC indicator requirement for solvent-based floor coatings: ≤500 g/L (not applicable to powder floor coatings).
Auxiliary Materials:
For the first time, limits for all categories have been established.
Core Revision 3: Enhanced Requirements for Biocide Labeling
Explicit Disclosure of Pesticide Ingredients
If the content of a single biocide ingredient (e.g., diuron) exceeds 0.1% and the ingredient is listed in the "List of Pesticides for Import and Export Administration," the Chinese name must be clearly marked in a prominent position on the packaging. Alternatively, information technology such as QR codes may be used for disclosure.
GHS Hazard Identification Labeling
If the content of a single biocide ingredient exceeds the threshold specified in the "Chemical Classification and Labeling Specifications" (GB 30000, all parts), hazard identification labeling must be applied to the packaging in accordance with the "Regulations for the Preparation of Chemical Safety Labels" (GB 15258-2009).
Compliance Recommendations for the Coatings Industry
REACH24H Consulting Group reminds companies in the coatings industry to proactively address compliance requirements despite the one-year grace period provided by the new standard:
Compliance Analysis of Products: Companies must complete an analysis of existing products by 2025-2026 and promptly adjust product formulations for non-compliant products.
Testing Cost Alert: The addition of new indicators may lead to increased testing costs. Early engagement with third-party laboratories is recommended.
Preparation for Labeling Updates: Redesign product packaging labels in accordance with the new national standard.
For more information and inquiries, please feel free to contact us at customer@reach24h.com.
