CN Quality Check
Standards Comparison Tool
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report compares Chinese and British/European product standards for sanitary ceramics (卫生陶瓷), focusing on water closets (坐便器). The landscape is MOD (Modified), with core functional requirements diverging significantly. The single most important procurement implication is that a product certified to GB/T 6952-2015 will likely fail BS EN 997:2018 compliance due to differing flush performance test methods and higher permitted water volume, requiring separate testing for the UK/EU market.
APPLICABLE CHINESE STANDARDS
| Standard No. | Title (Chinese) | Scope | Mandatory/Recommended | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB/T 6952-2015 | 卫生陶瓷 (Sanitary ceramics) | Product requirements for all ceramic sanitary ware (WCs, washbasins, urinals, etc.) | Recommended (GB/T) | Current |
| GB 25502-2017 | 坐便器水效限定值及水效等级 (Water efficiency limits and grades for water closets) | Mandatory water consumption limits and efficiency grading for water closets | Mandatory (GB) | Current |
| GB/T 26730-2011 | 卫生陶瓷 质地和釉面质量的试验方法 (Test methods for body and glaze quality of sanitary ceramics) | Test methods for material quality | Recommended (GB/T) | Current |
| GB/T 26750-2011 | 卫生陶瓷 吸水率试验方法 (Test method for water absorption of sanitary ceramics) | Test method for water absorption | Recommended (GB/T) | Current |
STANDARD TIER CLASSIFICATION
| Standard | Tier | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GB/T 6952-2015 | TIER 1 — Product Standard | Defines product requirements for sanitary ceramics. |
| GB 25502-2017 | TIER 1 — Product Standard (Specialized) | Defines mandatory water efficiency limits for water closets. |
| GB/T 26730-2011 | TIER 2 — Test Method | Defines test methods for body and glaze quality. |
| BS EN 997:2018 | TIER 1 — Product Standard | Defines requirements for WC pans and suites with integral trap. |
SCOPE BREAKDOWN
Water Closets (坐便器/WC Pans)
Chinese standard: GB/T 6952-2015: 卫生陶瓷 (Sanitary ceramics)
International equivalent: BS EN 997:2018: WC pans and WC suites with integral trap — 2018 edition
Equivalence: MOD
Standard tier match: Both TIER 1 — valid comparison
| Parameter | Chinese Standard Value (Clause) | International Value (Clause) | Deviation | Mutual Recognition | Procurement Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flushing Volume (用水量) | ≤ 8.0 L (single flush) (§5.2.1.1) | ≤ 6.0 L (full flush) (§5.2.1) | +33% | 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) | HIGH |
| Water Seal Depth (水封深度) | ≥ 50 mm (§5.2.1.3) | ≥ 50 mm (§5.2.3) | Identical | 直接互认 (Direct mutual recognition) | LOW |
| Water Seal Restoration (水封回复) | ≥ 50 mm after test (§5.2.1.4) | Not specified | N/A (only CN requires) | 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) | MEDIUM |
| Wastewater Replacement (污水置换功能) | ≥ 100 (Large particle test) (§5.2.1.5) | Not specified. Uses test media of defined size/quantity (Annex B). | Different test method | 不可互认 (Not mutually recognised) | HIGH |
| Ball Release Test (球排放) | 100 balls, avg ≥ 85 (§5.2.1.6) | 100 balls, ≥ 90 (§5.2.4 & Annex B) | -5.6% (stricter INT requirement) | 附加测试后互认 (Mutual recognition after additional testing) | MEDIUM |
| Water Absorption (吸水率) | ≤ 0.5% (§5.1.3) | ≤ 0.5% (EN 997:2018 references EN 14688) | Identical | 直接互认 (Direct mutual recognition) | LOW |
KEY DIFFERENCES SUMMARY
- Flushing Volume: GB allows 8.0L vs. BS EN's 6.0L maximum (+33%). 不可互认. HIGH impact for water efficiency regulations.
- Flush Performance Test: GB uses "Wastewater Replacement" (large particles), BS EN uses a defined media test. Fundamentally different methods. 不可互认. HIGH impact for functional compliance.
- Ball Release Test: BS EN 997 requires ≥90 balls passed vs. GB's ≥85 average. Stricter international requirement. 附加测试后互认. MEDIUM impact.
- Water Seal Restoration: Unique requirement in GB/T 6952-2015. 不可互认. MEDIUM impact.
REGULATORY LINKAGE TABLE (法规联动)
| Compliance Scenario | Chinese Regulatory Basis | International Regulatory Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory product certification | CCCF for fire-rated components; GB 25502-2017水效标识 (Water Efficiency Label) for WCs. | UKCA/CE marking (under Construction Products Regulation). |
| Engineering acceptance inspection | GB 50210-2018 (建筑装饰装修工程质量验收标准) | Local building regulations (e.g., UK Building Regulations Part G). |
| Import/export compliance | CCIB commodity inspection; Customs declaration. | UKCA marking; Declaration of Performance (DoP). |
| Designer/engineer obligation | N/A for product standard comparison. | Specifier must ensure products meet local regs (e.g., Water Regulations Advisory Scheme in UK). |
AUDIT FLAG RESOLUTION
- ✅ RESOLVED: GB/T 6952-2015 status confirmed as Current. No supersession note added.
- ✅ RESOLVED: Ball release test value discrepancy. BS EN 997:2018 requirement is ≥90 (clause 5.2.4 & Annex B), which is stricter than GB's average ≥85.
- ✅ FALSE POSITIVE (domain flag): GB 25502-2017 is correctly included. While a specialized water efficiency standard, it is a mandatory (GB) linkage for water closets in China and is directly relevant to the flushing volume parameter.
PROCUREMENT VERDICT
- Do not assume mutual recognition. A GB/T 6952-2015 test report is insufficient for UK/EU market access.
- Budget for separate testing. Products must be tested to BS EN 997:2018 for UKCA/CE compliance.
- Verify water efficiency grade. For China market, ensure the product model is registered with the mandatory water efficiency label per GB 25502-2017.
- Specify the correct standard in purchase orders. Clearly state the target market and required certification (e.g., "BS EN 997:2018 with UKCA marking").
- Factory audit for dual production lines. Confirm the manufacturer can produce and test to both standard regimes.
REFERENCE DOCUMENT CHECKLIST (配套调阅清单)
- GB/T 6952-2015 §5.2.1.1 & §5.2.1.5 — Verify flushing volume and wastewater replacement test method.
- BS EN 997:2018 §5.2.1 & Annex B — Verify flush volume and performance test media.
- GB 25502-2017 Full text — Verify mandatory water efficiency limits and labeling requirements.
FIELD INSPECTION CHECKLIST
- Verify the presence and correctness of the China Water Efficiency Label on products for the domestic market.
- Check factory test equipment: Does it support both GB's "large particle" test and BS EN's "test media" setup?
- Inspect product markings for standard compliance (e.g., "GB/T 6952-2015" or "BS EN 997:2018").
- Review factory's test reports for the specific product model against the target market standard.
CONFIDENCE RATING
🟡 MEDIUM — Core data verified and aligned between sources. Key parameters (ball release count) resolved. Official standard status confirmed. ≤3 parameters flagged for official text confirmation (specific test media details in Annex B of BS EN 997).
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).
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