Overview
The industrial coatings industry is undergoing significant changes with the introduction of the new national standard GB 30981.2-2025 for Industrial Coatings, which sets stricter limits on harmful substances, including VOCs and SVOCs, to align with growing environmental protection requirements. This new standard, issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation, China (SAMR) on May 30, 2025, will take effect on June 1, 2026, providing a unified framework for industrial coatings standards across various sectors.
What is GB 30981.2-2025?
GB 30981.2-2025, titled “Limits of Harmful Substances of Coatings——Part 2: Industrial Coatings”, consolidates and updates existing standards for industrial coatings, including those for Woodenware, vehicles, toys, and ships. The new standard aims to eliminate inconsistencies in technical specifications and expand the scope of regulation, ensuring high-quality development in the industrial coatings sector.
Key Standards Integrated into GB 30981.2-2025
The following standards are merged into the new regulation:
GB 18581—2020: Limit of harmful substances of woodenware coatings
GB 24409—2020: Limit of harmful substances of vehicle coatings
GB 24613—2009: Limit of harmful substances of coatings for toys
GB 30981—2020: Limit of harmful substances of industrial protective coatings
GB 38469—2019: Limit of harmful substances of marine coatings
Major Revisions in GB 30981.2-2025
Consolidation and Expansion of the Standard System
Unified Framework:
The new standard integrates five specialized standards into a single system, simplifying compliance for manufacturers.
Product Categories:
Coatings are now classified into waterborne (W-type), solvent-based (S-type), solvent-free (F-type), radiation-curable (R-type), powder-based (P-type), and auxiliary materials (A-type).
Stricter requirements are introduced for coatings intended for close human contact, such as toys and furniture.
The definition and examples of "special functional coatings" are clarified, and some high-VOC products are allowed to retain higher limits due to technical limitations.
Scope Adjustments:
The standard applies to coatings for substrates like woodenware, metal, plastic, and concrete, covering both on-site and factory applications.
Exclusions include aerospace, nuclear-grade protection, and military coatings.
Three types of products, including fire retardant coatings, decorative panel coatings, and protective coatings for buildings and constructions, will be classified under industrial coatings management and separated from the original architectural coatings system.
Stricter Technical Specifications
VOC Limits:
Waterborne Woodenware coatings: ≤250g/L for pigmented coatings, ≤300g/L for clear coatings.
Solvent-based OEM basecoat for passenger cars: ≤750g/L, reduced by 10%.
Solvent-free coatings: ≤100g/L.
Radiation-curable coatings: 150-550g/L depending on application.
New Regulation:
SVOC Regulation: Introduced for the first time, with limits for latex coatings and waterborne Woodenware coatings (≤100g/L for pigmented coatings, ≤150g/L for clear coatings).
Cybutryne banned in antifouling paints for ships.
Asbestos: “No threshold” is required in marine coatings, which means it should not be detected.
Phthalates in toys and human-contact coatings limited to 0.1%.
New limits for APEO, including octylphenol and nonylphenol.
Heavy Metals:
Lead (Pb) ≤90mg/kg and cadmium (Cd) ≤75mg/kg for coatings intended for close human contact.
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] limits were introduced, with testing methods specified.
Enhanced Testing and Labeling Requirements
Testing Updates:
Marine coatings require type inspections every two years; other coatings annually.
Multi-component coatings must be tested at maximum application ratios, with separate testing for curing agents.
Requirement on Coating Hazard Label:
Topcoats and varnishes for toy coatings, woodenware coatings and other coatings for consumer products intended for close human contact must be labelled on the packaging; other industrial coatings and putties must be labelled on the packaging or in the instructions.
Description section: Hazards of coating
Standard code and sequence number section: GB 30981.2
Product categories (such as "S type" for solvent type)
Total lead content statement (such as "Pb ≤ 90")
Contact mark (if it meets the Article 5.3 in the standard, it is marked with "C" for close contact with human body, if it does not meet the Article 5.3, it is marked with "NC" for not close contact with human body)
REACH24H Consulting Group's Compliance Recommendations
To prepare for GB 30981.2-2025, REACH24H Consulting Group recommends the following steps:
1. Reformulate Products: Adjust formulations to meet new limits for SVOCs, phthalates, and other harmful substances.
2. Coordinate Testing: Work with third-party labs to understand new testing methods, such as gas chromatography for SVOCs.
3. Update Labels: Redesign packaging to comply with labeling requirements, particularly for products intended for close human contact.
Opportunities and Challenges
The new standard presents a pivotal moment for the industrial coatings industry. While compliance may require significant adjustments, it also offers opportunities for companies to enhance their competitiveness by adopting greener, more sustainable practices. The one-year transition period provides a critical window for technological upgrades and regulatory alignment.
By adhering to GB 30981.2-2025, manufacturers can not only meet stricter environmental standards but also position themselves as leaders in the green transition of the industrial coatings market.
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