What Does the Standard Cover?
1. Mechanical and physical safety
Including risks such as small parts, sharp edges and points, dangerous magnets (and magnet components), breakaway features, batteries, and liquid-filled jewellery. It also specifies relevant requirements differently for adult versus children’s products.
2. Chemical safety
Addressing key exposure and migration risks. This includes:
- nickel release
- harmful elements and heavy metal content (e.g., arsenic, chromium VI, mercury, lead, and cadmium)
- restricted chemical groups (such as certain aromatic amines, formaldehyde, phthalate plasticisers and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (C10–C13))
- additional criteria and exemptions.
3. Labelling and marking
Including rules for imprints and labels/identification, and a warning-sign approach referenced in the standard’s annexes.
Implementation Timeline
GB 28480-2026 replaces GB 28480-2012 and becomes effective on 1 April 2027. Products made or imported before that date must meet GB 28480-2026 starting 1 April 2028 (the 13th month after the implementation of this mandatory national standard).
Stakeholders Impacted
This standard affects stakeholders across the adult and children’s jewellery supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers operating in the Chinese market.
Global buyers and suppliers should review product designs, materials, chemical formulations, labelling, and test plans to ensure readiness.
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China National Standard for Jewellery: FAQ
1. What is GB 28480-2026?
GB 28480-2026 is China’s updated mandatory national standard titled “Jewellery safety technical requirements.” It sets safety requirements for adult and children’s jewellery, including physical/mechanical safety, chemical safety, and labelling/marking.
2. What types of jewellery products are covered?
The standard covers:
- Adult jewellery (aged 14 or over)
- Children’s jewellery (under 14)
It includes items with risks such as dangerous magnets, small parts, sharp edges/points, batteries, and liquid-filled jewellery.
3. What do jewellery buyers/suppliers need to do now?
Prepare for compliance by reviewing:
- Material choices and component designs (especially magnets, breakaway parts, liquids, batteries)
- Chemical formulations (nickel and restricted substances)
- Test plans for physical/mechanical and chemical parameters
- Labelling/marking documentation
