Mandatory standards and recommended standards

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**Standards that explicitly require, in the form of laws, that the technical specifications and requirements set out therein must be complied with, allowing no exceptions or modifications under any circumstances, are known as mandatory standards. In **standards, those starting with GB are mandatory standards. Mandatory standards must be strictly enforced. No products sold in the domestic market that fail to meet the requirements of mandatory standards shall be produced or sold ； Products intended for export that do not meet the requirements of mandatory standards shall not be sold abroad ； Products that do not meet the requirements of mandatory standards are not allowed to be imported. For those that violate mandatory standards, they shall be dealt with in accordance with the law by the administrative departments specified by laws and administrative regulations, or by the administrative departments for industry and commerce. Standards other than mandatory standards are advisory standards; those in **standards that start with GB/T are advisory standards. As **or industry standards, recommended standards possess their own advanced and scientific characteristics. They are generally equivalent or comparable to international standards; therefore, enterprises are encouraged to adopt them voluntarily.** If enterprises actively adopt recommended standards, it helps to improve the quality of their products as well as their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. Although any organization has the right to decide whether to adopt such standards, there is no financial or legal liability for violating them. However, once it is accepted and adopted, or agreed upon by all parties to be included in the economic contract, it becomes a technical basis that all parties must abide by, carrying legal binding force. 1. Differences between recommendatory standards and mandatory standards: Mandatory standards possess legal characteristics and fall under the category of technical regulations ； Voluntary standards do not possess legal attributes; they are technical documents and have no mandatory enforcement effect. The regulations differ: mandatory standards specify technical details in a more specific and detailed manner ； The technical provisions of the recommended standards are not specific enough; they are rather simple and concise, as well as general and flexible. Different projects: Mandatory standards have more mandatory inspection items ； In voluntary standards, there are fewer mandatory inspection items; there are more items for users to choose from or to be agreed upon by both the supplier and the buyer. Different degrees of universality: Mandatory standards have limited universality and a narrow scope of application ； Voluntary standards are highly versatile and have broad coverage. Applications encourage the adoption of: **Adoption of recommended standards is encouraged. In activities such as infrastructure construction, basic public services, social governance, and government procurement, the adoption of recommended **standards is encouraged. It must be implemented under specific circumstances: Recommended standards shall be implemented if they fall under any of the following conditions; mandatory standards refer to ； The method specified in the contract ； Explicitly adopted by social organizations, enterprises, and other organizations ； Other circumstances stipulated by laws and regulations to be implemented. II. **Standards and industry standards: In accordance with the Standards Law of the People’s Republic of China,** standards are divided into mandatory standards and recommended standards, whereas industry standards and local standards are recommended standards. According to the \"Administrative Measures for Industry Standards\" (effective as of June 1, 2024), industry standards are generally advisory in nature; however, under certain specific circumstances, some industry standards can also be mandatory. The following categories of industry standards are mandatory standards: ① Industry standards for drugs, veterinary drugs, pesticides, and food hygiene ； ②Industry standards for safety and hygiene in industrial and agricultural products, as well as in their production, storage, transportation, and use ； ③Industry standards for quality, safety, and hygiene in engineering construction ； ④Important industry standards regarding technical terms, symbols, codes (including programming codes), file formats, and drawing methods related to technical integration ； ⑤Industry standards for interchange fit ； ⑥General test methods, inspection methods for products that need to be controlled within the industry, as well as industry standards for important industrial and agricultural products. III. Standard Classification and Implementation Principles: Definition of GB standards (mandatory standards): GB standards refer to Chinese standards that are mandated by law to be implemented. Implementation principle: It is not permitted to violate or alter it for any reason or in any manner. Products that do not meet GB standards shall not be produced or sold. Responsibility: Violations of GB standards will result in legal penalties. Scope of application: Applicable to technical requirements that need to be standardized nationwide. Example: GB 50029-2014 specifies the basic principles for the design of compressed air stations, including requirements related to safe production, environmental protection, energy conservation, and improved working conditions. This means that the design of compressed air stations in China must comply with the requirements of this standard; otherwise, legal consequences will arise. Definition of GB/T standards (recommended standards): GB/T standards refer to standards other than mandatory standards, which are encouraged for enterprises to adopt voluntarily. Implementation principle: Enterprises may choose whether to implement it based on their own circumstances, but once it is accepted and adopted, or included in economic contracts, it becomes legally binding. Responsibility: Failure to comply with GB/T standards does not result in any financial or legal consequences, but it may affect product quality and market competitiveness. Scope of application: Applicable to technical requirements nationwide, but not mandatory. Example: GB/T 17395-2008 is also a standard for steel pipe size series, but enterprises can choose whether to adopt it or not. If a company states in its product instructions or contract that it complies with this standard, it must abide by its provisions. Definition of SH standard (petrochemical industry standard): The SH standard refers to the standards established by the petrochemical industry. Implementation principle: Enterprises in the petrochemical industry should comply with SH standards. Responsibilities: Specific responsibilities are implemented in accordance with relevant regulations in the petrochemical industry. Scope of application: Limited to technical specifications in the petrochemical industry. Example: SH 3011-2011 is a standard for the layout design of petrochemical plants; this standard may be updated and revised in accordance with the specific requirements of the petrochemical industry and technological advancements. SH/T standards (standards recommended for the petrochemical industry): Definition: SH/T standards refer to the standards that are recommended for use in the petrochemical industry. Implementation principle: Enterprises decide whether to implement it based on their own circumstances. Responsibility: Violating SH/T standards does not result in legal consequences, but it may affect the industry’s reputation and market competitiveness. Scope of application: Technical requirements within the petrochemical industry, but not mandatory. Example: SH/T 3405-2017 is a recommended standard for steel pipe dimensions in the petrochemical industry; companies can decide whether to adopt it based on their own circumstances. Definition of HG standards (industrial standards for the chemical industry): HG standards refer to the standards established by the chemical industry. Implementation principle: Enterprises in the chemical industry should comply with HG standards. Responsibilities: Specific responsibilities are carried out in accordance with relevant regulations in the chemical industry. Scope of application: Limited to technical specifications in the chemical industry. Example: HG 20539-1992 is a series of standards for reinforced polypropylene pipes and fittings in the chemical industry; this standard may be updated and revised in accordance with the specific requirements and technological advancements of the chemical industry. Definition of HG/T standards (standards recommended for the chemical industry): HG/T standards refer to the standards that are recommended for use in the chemical industry. Implementation principle: Enterprises decide whether to implement it based on their own circumstances. Responsibility: Violations of HG/T standards do not result in legal consequences, but they may affect the industry’s reputation and market competitiveness. Scope of application: Technical requirements in the chemical industry, but not mandatory. Example: HG/T 20553-2011 is a recommended standard for steel pipe dimensions in the chemical industry; enterprises can decide whether to adopt it based on their own circumstances.