In 2016, China adopted GB/T 18801-2015 – a national standard for air purifiers. However, although compliance with this standard is mandatory, market surveillance in 2016 and 2017 by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQISIQ), found that 20 per cent of air purifiers still failed compliance tests for safety, electromagnetic compatibility and performance.

SGS has introduced a range of services to help companies successfully enter China’s growing air purifier market, supporting manufacturers through its network of specialised facilities and offering local expertise backed by global experience.

SGS offers: 

• Standard Testing Service – covering all core indicators and technical indexes relevant to GB/T 18801-2015 compliance, such as clean air delivery rate (CADR), cumulate clean mass (CCM), purification efficiency, and bacteria removal rate.
• Customised Testing Service – bespoke service developed with the manufacturer, meeting clearly defined needs and purposes at every step of the production process. Testing results are used for comprehensive technical support, allowing product improvements.
• Expert Training Service – expert solutions for all problems encountered during the design, development, production and testing phases of the product development process.

The growth in sales of air purifiers is a response by Chinese consumers to their concerns over air pollution, both outdoors and indoors. This has led to exponential growth in the market for air purifiers that has, in turn, led to a large increase in the number of suppliers, creating a wider range of products and capabilities. The introduction of GB/T 18801-2015 in 2016 has helped to create an easier to understand marketplace for consumers and an increase in competition.

Companies have become incentivised to develop air purifiers with improved technical performance, in the hope of gaining competitive advantage, but they must still ensure they are compliant with GB/T 18801-2015. To ensure conformity, the air purifier must undergo several safety and performance tests. These can be performed in-house or by a third-party testing laboratory like SGS. 

Manufacturers are advised to seek independent assessment as it will provide comprehensive assessment of the product at every stage of the production process. This will help expedite regulatory compliance and decrease the product’s time-to-market. Utilising independent testing laboratories will also give them access to other electrical and electronic testing solutions for household devices. 

In addition to air purifier services, SGS laboratories offer: 

• Safety testing for household devices IEC/EN 60335 series;
• EMF EN 62233;
• ERP directive;
• Standby or off mode, power management, network;
• EC No 1275/2008;
• EU No 801/2013;
• ERP for external power supplies;
• EC No 278/2009.

Manufacturers and suppliers of air purifiers to China are advised to now ascertain that their products conform with the latest regulations to ensure continued access to the marketplace.