GB/T 4706.1-2024 Is Already in Force: What China's New Appliance Safety Standard Changes

A notice for the appliance industry: the general safety standard for household appliances has been revised, and it is already in force.

GB/T 4706.1-2024 was published on 24 July 2024 and took effect on 1 August 2026, replacing GB 4706.1-2005. As of now (October 2026), new certifications follow the new edition, and existing certificates need a transition plan.

Key facts first

The change of reference standard matters most: the 2005 edition aligned with IEC 60335-1:2004, while the new edition aligns with IEC 60335-1:2016 — skipping two major international revisions. This is not a light touch-up; the technical requirements move forward substantially.

What it does not cover (now stated explicitly)

Clause 1 now spells out the exclusions, so check your product is in scope:

• Appliances designed exclusively for industrial purposes
• Audio, video and similar electronic apparatus (IEC 60065)
• Medical electrical equipment (IEC 60601)
• Hand-held motor-operated tools (IEC 60745)
• Information technology equipment (IEC 60950-1)
• Transportable motor-operated tools (IEC 61029)

Note the last two: IT equipment and audio/video equipment are out — those fall under GB 4943.1 instead.

What changed (the six areas that matter most)

The foreword lists the complete set of changes. These are the ones with the biggest design impact:

1. Marking and instructions get stricter (Clause 7)

• New requirements for the font height of signal words, plus requirements for moulded, engraved or embossed markings (7.14)
• Instructions must cover specific groups of persons, Class III structures and Class III appliances (7.12)
• New requirements for different languages and alternative formats of instructions (7.12.9)
• The symbol for "read the operating instructions" changed (7.6)

Impact: rating plates, manuals, symbols and font sizes need re-checking; moulded marking methods need confirmation.

2. Small-part choking hazard added (22.12)

The new edition adds requirements and assessment methods for choking hazards from small parts (22.12).

Impact: detachable small parts (knobs, caps, decorative pieces) now need small-part assessment. This used to live mainly in toy standards; appliances now look at it too.

3. Abnormal operation (Clause 19) changed the most

• New test requirements for appliances with current contactors and relays, and with voltage selector switches (19.1)
• New test requirements for appliances with electronic circuits relying on programmable components for normal operation (19.11, 19.11.4.8)
• New fault condition: electronic power switching devices losing gate (base) control in partially conducting mode (19.11.2)
• Revised voltage dip and short interruption test method (19.11.4.6)
• New requirements for short-circuiting contactors or relays and for optional rated voltage abnormal states (19.14–19.15)
• Revised conformity criteria after abnormal operation tests (19.13)

Impact: products with electronic controls and relays are the high-risk group. The old assumption that "the electronics won't fail" no longer holds; fault simulation must be redone.

4. New construction requirements (22.49–22.57)

The new edition adds construction requirements covering remote operation, socket outlets, functional earthing, batteries, user-operated devices for stopping the intended function, detachable power supply parts, and non-metallic materials exposed to UV radiation.

Also:

• New construction requirements for motor-operated and combined appliances intended to be moved while working (22.40)
• Revised insulation requirements between conductive liquids and live parts (22.33)
• Revised requirements for appliances using programmable protective electronic circuits (22.46)

Impact: products with lithium batteries, wireless or remote control, or outdoor use (UV exposure) need their construction requirements re-checked.

5. Clearances and insulation (Clause 29)

• New requirements for appliances used above 2000 m altitude (29.1)
• Revised basis for determining creepage distances for supplementary, reinforced and functional insulation (29.2.2–29.2.4)
• New thickness requirements for accessible parts of reinforced insulation consisting of a single layer (29.3.4)

Impact: products used in China's plateau regions must meet the new requirements; thin single-layer reinforced insulation needs more thickness.

6. Components and supply cords

• New flammability requirements for non-metallic materials in components (24.1)
• New requirements for communication interface circuits, thermal links, current contactors, relays and motor running capacitors (24.1.7–24.1.9, 24.8)
• New requirements for halogen-free low-smoke thermoplastic insulated and sheathed cords (25.7)
• New requirements for neutral conductor colour and symbol installation (25.10)
• New requirements for Class III structure interconnecting cords (25.23)

At annex level: the software evaluation test method changed (Annex R); a test method for UV-C radiation effects on non-metallic materials was added (Annex T); and the clearance, creepage and solid insulation requirements for safety isolating transformers changed (Annex G).

What appliance makers should do now

1. Confirm your product is in scope — industrial, medical, IT and audio/video equipment are not.
2. Self-check first if you have electronics, relays, lithium batteries or wireless control — these are where the changes concentrate.
3. Redo rating plates and manuals — font heights, moulded markings and instructions for specific groups all have new requirements.
4. Schedule certificate transitions — the new edition is already effective; starting early beats a last-minute rush.
5. Align with export work — the new edition is identical to IEC 60335-1:2016, so European EN 60335-1 work follows the same technical logic and can be combined.

A correction

In September we published an article on GB 4706.1 based on the 2005 edition. That edition has been replaced, so the "current version" statements there no longer hold — use this 2024 edition as the reference.

The full GB/T 4706.1-2024 text (the 46 technical changes, Clause 19 abnormal operation, Annex R software evaluation, Annex T UV-C radiation tests) and the 52 standards in the GB 4706 series are in the StdFlow knowledge base. Sign up and ask an AI agent for the original text — every answer cited.