China to Enforce New Mandatory Standards for EV Battery Recycling and Pressure Equipment from Oct 2026

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has launched an update initiative for mandatory national standards, effective October 1, 2026. The move directly impacts exporters and OEMs serving Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa — particularly those involved in energy storage system integration, pressure equipment manufacturing, and battery reuse supply chains.

Event Overview

On April 26, 2026, SAMR announced the launch of a special action to upgrade key national standards from recommended to mandatory status. Specifically, the General Technical Specification for Tertiary Use of Power Batteries and the Safety Supervision Regulations for Industrial Pressure Piping will become compulsory. The revised standards take effect on October 1, 2026.

Industries Affected

Energy Storage System (ESS) Integrators Exporting to Emerging Markets

These firms rely on repurposed electric vehicle batteries for cost-competitive stationary storage solutions. With the General Technical Specification for Tertiary Use of Power Batteries becoming mandatory, compliance is no longer optional for products entering China’s domestic market or subject to Chinese certification requirements abroad. Impact includes stricter documentation, traceability, and performance validation for reused battery modules used in export-bound systems.

OEM Manufacturers of Pressure Equipment and Piping Systems

OEMs producing industrial pressure piping components — especially those supplied to Chinese end-users or certified under China’s regulatory framework — must now meet enforceable safety design, inspection, and operational criteria outlined in the upgraded Safety Supervision Regulations. This affects product certification timelines, factory audit scope, and technical file submissions for equipment destined for use in Chinese facilities or exported with Chinese compliance claims.

Export-Oriented Complete Equipment Suppliers

Suppliers delivering turnkey industrial plants (e.g., chemical processing lines, compressed air systems) that include pressure piping or integrated battery-based backup power must ensure full alignment with both upgraded standards. Non-compliance may delay customs clearance, certification approvals, or contractual acceptance — especially where Chinese partners require conformity declarations referencing GB standards.

What Enterprises and Practitioners Should Focus On Now

Monitor official SAMR implementation notices and interpretation documents

SAMR is expected to release detailed enforcement guidelines, transitional arrangements, and definitions of “applicable scope” before October 2026. Enterprises should track these publications closely, as they will clarify whether legacy stock, ongoing contracts, or specific product categories are exempted or phased in.

Identify high-exposure product lines and target markets

Businesses should map which of their current export SKUs reference or rely on the two upgraded standards — especially those shipped to jurisdictions recognizing Chinese GB certifications (e.g., certain ASEAN countries via mutual recognition pilots). Prioritize review for products bound for projects involving Chinese EPC contractors or state-owned enterprises.

Distinguish between regulatory signal and operational readiness

The April 2026 announcement signals intent and timeline, but actual conformity assessment procedures, testing protocols, and certification body authorizations are still pending. Companies should avoid premature re-engineering; instead, verify upcoming test requirements with accredited labs and confirm lead times for standard-aligned certification reports.

Initiate internal gap assessments and supplier communication

Manufacturers should conduct preliminary reviews of existing technical files, battery sourcing records, and piping design documentation against the latest draft mandatory clauses. Concurrently, engage key component suppliers — especially battery pack assemblers and pipe fitting vendors — to confirm their ability to provide compliant materials and supporting evidence post-October 2026.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

From industry perspective, this initiative is better understood as a regulatory signal than an immediate operational shift — it confirms SAMR’s prioritization of circular economy governance and infrastructure safety, but full enforcement depends on parallel developments in certification infrastructure and cross-border recognition frameworks. Analysis来看, the timing aligns with broader national goals for battery lifecycle management and industrial risk control, yet international applicability remains limited to contexts where Chinese standards are contractually or regulatorily invoked. Current more relevant interpretation is that it raises the baseline for market access in China-linked supply chains — not a global de facto standard, but a binding requirement where Chinese regulatory authority applies.

Conclusion

This standard upgrade reflects a structural tightening of technical compliance expectations in two high-stakes domains: sustainable battery utilization and industrial pressure safety. It does not introduce new technologies or redefine global best practices, but it does raise the threshold for doing business within or through China’s regulatory ecosystem. For affected enterprises, the most appropriate current understanding is that this is a defined, date-certain compliance milestone — not a speculative policy trend — requiring targeted preparation rather than broad strategic overhaul.

Information Source

Main source: State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), official announcement dated April 26, 2026.
Points requiring ongoing observation: Implementation guidance, scope clarifications, and certification body accreditation updates — all expected to be published by SAMR prior to October 1, 2026.