SG 085/26
Revised GB 28480-2026 standard updates safety requirements for jewelry in China.
What does this standard require?
In March 2026, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China published GB 28480-2026 ‘Jewelry safety technical requirements’.
GB 28480-2026 outlines safety requirements for adult and children’s jewelry, covering methods and specifications for physical, mechanical and chemical properties, along with labeling and marking criteria.
Key highlights of GB 28480-2026 are summarized in Table 1.
| Section of GB 28480-2026 | Highlight |
| 3 ‘Terms and definitions’ |
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| 4 ‘General principles’ |
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| 5 ‘Technical requirements’ |
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| 6 ‘Test methods’ |
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| Annexes |
|
Table 1
| Technical requirements | Adult jewelry | Children's jewelry |
| 5.1 Mechanical and physical safety | -- | 5.1.2.1 Small parts |
| 5.1.1.1 Sharp edges and sharp points | 5.1.2.2 Sharp edges and sharp points | |
| 5.1.1.2 Dangerous magnets and dangerous magnetic components | 5.1.2.3 Dangerous magnets and dangerous magnetic components | |
| -- | 5.1.2.4 Breakaway features | |
| -- | 5.1.2.5 Jewelry containing batteries | |
| 5.1.1.3 Liquid-filled jewelry | 5.1.2.6 Liquid-filled jewelry | |
| 5.1.1.4 Others | 5.1.2.7 Others | |
| 5.2 Chemical safety | 5.2.1 Precious metal purity | 5.2.1 Precious metal purity |
| 5.2.2 Nickel release | 5.2.2 Nickel release | |
| 5.2.3 Total content of harmful elements | 5.2.3 Total content of harmful elements | |
| 5.2.4 Hazardous elements leaching (applicable only to tongue studs) | 5.2.4 Hazardous elements leaching | |
| 5.2.5 Harmful aromatic amines | 5.2.5 Harmful aromatic amines | |
| 5.2.6 Formaldehyde | 5.2.6 Formaldehyde | |
| 5.2.7 Plasticizers | 5.2.7 Plasticizers | |
| 5.2.8 Short chain chlorinated paraffins (C10-C13) | 5.2.8 Short chain chlorinated paraffins (C10-C13) | |
| 5.2.9 Exemptions | 5.2.9 Exemptions | |
| 5.2.10 Others | 5.2.10 Others | |
| 5.3 Marking | 5.3.1 Imprints | 5.3.1 Imprints |
| 5.3.2 Labels and other identification | 5.3.2 Labels and other identification |
Table 2. Technical requirements for adult jewelry and children's jewelry, with related sections in GB 28480-2026
Who is impacted?
This standard affects stakeholders across the adult and children’s jewelry supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers operating in the Chinese market.
When does it apply?
GB 28480-2026 replaces GB 28480-2012 ‘Adornment – Provision for limit of baneful elements’ and will be implemented on April 1, 2027.
Jewelry products manufactured or imported before April 1, 2027, must comply with GB 28480-2026 from April 1, 2028 (the 13th month after the implementation of this mandatory national standard).
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