RoHS testing report process for vending machines in China
Date:2026-05-07 10:01:51 Classification
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Automated Vending Machine RoHS Testing Report Application Process
I. Product Attribute Confirmation
Automated vending machines fall under the category of electrical and electronic products regulated by China's RoHS. According to the "Administrative Measures for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products" and the compliance management catalog issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, as commercial retail equipment, automated vending machines require hazardous substance testing and a qualified report before they can be sold or imported into China.
Automated vending machines typically include the following electronic and electrical components: control system motherboard, display screen, currency reader, refrigeration/heating system, lighting system, sensors, switching power supply, etc. All these components must comply with RoHS requirements for the restriction of hazardous substances.
II. Testing Standards and Items
China's RoHS testing is mainly based on the following standards:
GB/T 26572-2011 "Limits of Restricted Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products" specifies the limits for six hazardous substances:
| Hazardous Substances | Limits | Common Applications
| Lead (Pb) | ≤0.1% (1000mg/kg) | Solder, Glass, Pigment
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤0.1% (1000mg/kg) | Switches, Relays, Light Bulbs
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤0.01% (100mg/kg) | Batteries, Switches, Pigment
| Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI) | ≤0.1% (1000mg/kg) | Metal Plating, Rust Prevention Treatment
| Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) | ≤0.1% (1000mg/kg) | Flame Retardants
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | ≤0.1% (1000mg/kg) | Flame retardant
The testing of vending machines focuses on the following components: PCB circuit boards and electronic components, display screens and touch screen assemblies, motors and drive modules, switching power supplies and transformers, sensors and control circuits, wire harnesses and connectors, and metal casings and structural components (including plating treatment).
III. Detailed Processing Procedure
Phase 1: Preliminary Preparation
The following materials are required during the data collection phase: product manual and technical specifications, detailing the vending machine's functional configuration and electronic and electrical component composition; exploded view or structural drawings of the product, indicating the location and material of each component; Bill of Materials (BOM), listing the suppliers and specifications of electronic components, wires, structural components, etc.; product appearance photos and nameplate information, including model, rated voltage, power, and other parameters.
The sample preparation phase requires providing representative samples. As large equipment, vending machines typically do not require complete machine testing. Samples of major electronic and electrical components, including the control motherboard, display module, power adapter, and typical wire harness samples, can be provided according to the testing agency's requirements. The sample quantity is generally 2-3 sets, and it must be ensured that they are consistent with the actual product.
Phase Two: Selecting a Testing Institution
Choosing a suitable testing institution is crucial to ensuring the validity of the report. Prioritize institutions with the following qualifications: CMA (China Metrology Accreditation) qualification, ensuring legal validity of the test report; accreditation by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), ensuring international mutual recognition of testing capabilities; extensive experience in RoHS testing of electrical and electronic products; familiarity with the characteristics of the vending machine industry; and the ability to provide one-stop services, including sample testing, report preparation, and technical consultation.
It is recommended to verify the institution's qualifications through official channels. Information on certified institutions can be found on the website of the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China.
Phase Three: Commissioned Testing and Sample Submission
Sign a commissioned testing contract with the testing institution, clearly defining the testing basis, testing items, fee standards, and schedule. A sample list must be attached when submitting samples, indicating the sample name, specifications, quantity, etc. Upon receiving the samples, the testing institution will register, number, and confirm their status. Any abnormalities will be communicated promptly.
Phase Four: Laboratory Testing
The testing organization conducts tests according to the testing methods specified in GB/T 26125-2011 (equivalent to IEC 62321). Commonly used testing methods include: X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) for rapid screening of the approximate content of various hazardous substances in the sample; for samples whose XRF screening results exceed the limits, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used for precise quantitative analysis; for hexavalent chromium, spectrophotometry or liquid chromatography is used for specific testing.
If any non-compliance is found during the testing process, the testing organization will notify the client, who can choose to rectify the issues and resubmit for testing or accept the non-compliance conclusion.
Phase Five: Report Preparation and Issuance
After the testing is completed, the testing organization prepares a test report based on the test data. The report should include: information about the client and the sample, the testing basis and methods, the specific values and judgment results of each test item, the test conclusion, the report issuance date and validity period, the testing organization's seal and qualification information, etc.
After the official report is reviewed and approved, it will be signed by the authorized signatory and delivered to the customer in both paper and electronic formats.
IV. Labeling and Conformity Assessment
According to the "Administrative Measures for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products," vending machines also need to complete the following conformity assessment procedures:
Hazardous Substance Restriction Labeling: Products should be affixed with a hazardous substance restriction label. The label is a leaf pattern enclosed in a green circle, indicating that the content of all hazardous substances in the product is below the limit requirements; if the content of any hazardous substance in the product exceeds the limit, an orange warning label must be affixed, along with information on the exceeding substance.
Conformity Assessment Method: Enterprises can choose to complete the conformity assessment through self-declaration or third-party certification. Self-declaration is a declaration of conformity issued by the enterprise based on the test results; third-party certification involves a certification body conducting product certification and issuing a certificate.
Information Disclosure Requirements: The product instruction manual should include key information such as hazardous substance content and environmentally friendly usage period to facilitate consumer awareness and regulatory oversight.
V. Testing Time and Fee Reference
Testing Time: Routine testing typically takes 5-7 business days, while expedited services can shorten it to 3-5 business days. The timeframe depends on factors such as the number of samples, the number of tests required, and laboratory scheduling.
Testing Fee: As vending machines are relatively complex products, testing fees are determined based on the number of components and the scope of tests required. Basic six-item testing typically costs between 500-1500 RMB. If more materials or components require testing, the fee will increase accordingly. It is recommended to communicate in detail with the testing organization before commissioning to clarify the testing scope and pricing standards.