“GB 388750-2020 Lists of Material and Restricted Substances in Disinfectants”, an upcoming mandatory standard without prior industry input, becomes a heatedly discussed topic nowadays among the industry. It is worrying that the limited number of ingredients usable and confusing inclusion criteria would pose interference with current implementing practices and hindrance to innovative development.

On April 20, the Chinese Standardization Administration (SAC) released the full contents of 14 national standards for disinfectants, disinfecting instruments, medical electrical equipment including critical care ventilators, of which the most notable one is “GB 388750-2020 Lists of Material and Restricted Substances in Disinfectants”, a mandatory standard without prior consultation, but due to take effect starting from November 1, 2020.