Taiwan - Updates Hand-Held Electric Tool Regulations & RoHS Marking
Country: Chinese Taipei - Taiwan
Notification Date: 2026-01-06
Chinese Taipei has issued an addendum to its WTO TBT notification regarding amendments to legal inspection requirements for hand-held electric tools. This update finalizes the regulatory changes, driven by increased use of rechargeable tools and concerns over lithium battery safety. It mandates inspection for a broader scope of products and updates applicable safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards.
Key Details- Country: Chinese Taipei
- Document Symbol: G/TBT/N/TPKM/574/Add.1
- Notification Date: 2026-01-06
- Comment Deadline: Not specified (comment period for draft likely closed)
- Effective Date: Items 1-7: 1 January 2028; Items 8-19: 1 July 2028
The updated regulations expand the scope of mandatory inspection to include rechargeable hand-held electric tools, addressing concerns related to lithium battery safety. The amendments revise the inspection standards to align with new safety and EMC requirements, primarily referencing CNS 62841 series, CNS 13783-1:2013, and CNS 15663:2013 (Section 5 "Marking of presence").
The scope covers 19 categories of hand-held electric tools, such as drills, circular saws, grinders, screwdrivers, and various garden tools, all limited to hand-held operation and rated voltage ≤250V. Products must undergo either the Registration of Product Certification (RPC) Scheme or the Type-Approved Batch Inspection (TABI) Scheme, both involving type-testing by designated laboratories and BSMI approval. Additionally, manufacturers must clearly indicate the presence of restricted substances (RoHS) on products or accompanying documentation in accordance with CNS 15663.
Impact Assessment- Which products or sectors are affected: Manufacturers and exporters of various hand-held electric tools, especially those that are rechargeable or use lithium batteries, will be impacted. This includes categories like drills, saws, sanders, grinders, wrenches, screwdrivers, car polishers, nibblers, tappers, planers, routers, drain cleaners, hedge trimmers, lawn trimmers, grass shears, reciprocating saws, chain saws, die grinders, and shears.
- Potential impact on international trade: Exporters to Chinese Taipei must ensure their products comply with the new safety, EMC, and RoHS marking standards. Non-compliance could lead to market access restrictions, delays, or rejection of shipments. The updated standards and mandatory inspection requirements create new barriers for non-compliant products.
- Compliance requirements for exporters: Products must be type-tested against the new CNS standards and certified under either the RPC or TABI schemes. This includes demonstrating conformity of quality management systems for RPC, or undergoing batch inspection for TABI. Crucially, products must carry the Commodity Inspection Mark, incorporating a clear indication of restricted substance presence (RoHS).
- Market access implications: Successful certification and proper marking will be essential for market entry and continued sales in Chinese Taipei. Companies with existing certifications will need to apply for certificate replacement by the specified deadlines, while new applicants must adhere to the revised standards from the outset.
- Recommended actions for affected companies:
- Review your product portfolio to identify hand-held electric tools falling under the updated scope.
- Familiarize yourself with the new CNS inspection standards, particularly CNS 62841 series, CNS 13783-1:2013 (EMC), and CNS 15663:2013 (RoHS marking).
- For existing certifications for Items 1-7, apply for certificate replacement by 31 December 2027. For Items 8-19, apply by 30 June 2028.
- For new products or first-time applications, prepare type-test reports and technical documents in compliance with the revised standards.
- Ensure all products meet the new RoHS marking requirements as per CNS 15663 Section 5, indicating restricted substance presence.
- Compliance timeline: The effective dates are 1 January 2028 for items 1-7 and 1 July 2028 for items 8-19. Key deadlines for certificate replacement are 31 December 2027 and 30 June 2028, respectively.
- Resources or contacts for more information: Consult the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) website for detailed guidance on RPC and TABI schemes, and accredited testing laboratories.
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