Five Authorities Release Green Design Guidelines, Spearheading Industrial Low-Carbon Transition
ISSUING AUTHORITIES:
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
National Development and Reform Commission
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Ecology and Environment
State Administration for Market Regulation
DATE OF ISSUANCE:
April 1, 2026
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1, 2026
Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, jointly issued the Guidelines for Green Design of Industrial Products (2026 Edition) (the “Guidelines”), effective upon issuance. This key measure advances China’s Action Plan for Green and Low-Carbon Development of the Manufacturing Sector and industrial ESG practices, marking a shift toward full life-cycle source control in industrial green development.
Green design (eco-design) focuses on minimizing resource consumption and environmental impacts at the design stage. Research shows that 80% of a product’s life-cycle environmental impacts are determined during design. Aligning with global and domestic green low-carbon trends, the Guidelines set 11 core priorities: longevity, hazard-free, lightweight, energy-efficient, water-saving, material-saving, noise reduction, space-saving, recyclable design, reusability, and zero-carbon design. Covering 15 key industries—including automotive, photovoltaics, lithium batteries, and home appliances—the Guidelines provide a large set of practical and actionable solutions with a high degree of coherence and practicality.
Relevant authorities will drive implementation across six fronts, including solution development, digital and AI-enabled design, standard-setting, flagship product promotion, talent training, and international cooperation. The Guidelines support enterprises in responding to global green trade requirements and create green value, while offering a Chinese solution for global industrial sustainability. They will nurture a virtuous green production-consumption cycle, injecting robust green momentum into high-quality manufacturing development.
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