New Safety Regulations Taking Effect in May

Starting May 1, 2025, several new safety standards will be implemented across various sectors in China. These standards aim to enhance safety measures and risk assessments in different industries.

Key National Standards Introduced

• GB/T 45233-2025: Guidelines for Safety Risk Assessment in Chemical Parks. This standard, overseen by the National Standardization Technical Committee for Hazardous Chemicals Management (TC251), is drafted by several organizations, including the China Chemical Economic and Technological Development Center and various safety consulting firms.
• GB/T 45229-2025: Safety Requirements for Theatre Technology. Managed by TC388 and drafted by institutions such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the China Performance Industry Association, this standard outlines safety protocols in theatre environments.
• GB/T 32588.2-2025: Safety Requirements for Automated Guided Transit (AUGT), focusing on system-level hazard analysis. This standard is under the purview of TC278 and includes contributions from major railway and transit organizations.
• GB/T 44902-2024: Common Safety Requirements for Woodworking Machinery. This standard, managed by TC84, aims to improve safety across woodworking operations.
• GB/T 44803-2024: Technical Guidelines for Emergency Supplies in Electrochemical Energy Storage Power Stations, coordinated by TC550, to ensure safety measures in energy storage facilities.
• GB/T 44861-2024: Safety Risk Assessment for the Design of Industrial Automation and Control Systems, overseen by TC124, focusing on the safety of control systems in industrial settings.
• GB/T 44767-2024: Technical Guidelines for Safety Monitoring Information Systems in Electrochemical Energy Storage Power Stations, also under TC550.
• GB/T 22384-2024: Inspection Specifications for Safety and Stability Control Systems in Power Systems, managed by the China Electricity Council.
• GB 17945-2024: Specifications for Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Indication Systems in Fire Safety, under the National Fire Rescue Administration.
• GB 14102.3-2024: Fire Curtain Controllers, also under the National Fire Rescue Administration, detailing safety and control measures for fire curtains.

Local Standards and Regulations

Various local standards have also been established, including:

• DB15/T 711—2025: Technical Specifications for Investigation and Assessment of Lightning Disasters in Inner Mongolia.
• DB15/T 3985-2025: Emergency Meteorological Service Guidelines for Severe Weather in Inner Mongolia.
• Jiangsu DB32/T 4873-2024: Fire Safety Technical Standards for Highway Tunnel Projects.
• Jiangxi DB36/T 2060-2024: Evaluation Criteria for Social Firefighting Technical Services.
• Hebei Hengshui DB1311/T 082-2025: Safety Management Regulations for Elevator Use.

New Policies Effective May 1

The following policies will also take effect on May 1, 2025:

• The Fire Statistics Management Regulations will establish a management system for fire statistics under the National Fire Rescue Administration.
• The Safety Technical Requirements for Transporting Lithium Batteries on Vessels will set standards for the classification, packaging, and transport of lithium batteries.
• The Promotion Law for the Private Economy aims to enhance the development environment for private enterprises.
• The revised Marriage Registration Regulations will streamline the process for marriage and divorce registrations, eliminating fees and the need for household registration books.
• The Residential Project Standards outline new safety and design requirements for residential buildings, including height regulations and sound insulation performance.
• The Interpretation on Civil Disputes Related to Prepaid Consumption clarifies consumer rights regarding refunds and establishes penalties for non-compliance by businesses.

These new regulations and standards reflect a commitment to enhancing safety and efficiency in various sectors, ensuring alignment with international best practices and improving overall public safety.