Grain, oil, salt, and rice | The strictest new regulations issued, can the power bank in your hand still be used?

At present, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating and evolving. The “Fourteenth Five-Year Plan” (the “15th Five-Year Plan”) proposal places “building a modern industrial system and consolidating and strengthening the foundation of the real economy” at the top of the strategic tasks. Focusing on the key juncture at the start of the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, starting today, People’s Daily’s “Food, Rice, Oil & Salt” column launches a series of reports titled “Unlocking New Opportunities of the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’,” directing its lens at the frontline of industries. From a perspective of people’s well-being, it taps into the pulse of development, explores economic confidence in everyday scenes, and vividly presents the warmth of life and the sense of happiness that industrial transformation brings to ordinary people.

The “strictest ever” mobile power safety standard—“Mobile Power Safety Technical Specifications”—was officially released on April 3. The new standard addresses three dimensions: the intrinsic safety of batteries, disclosure of product information, and full-process control during production, comprehensively raising the safety threshold. Industry forecasts suggest that nearly 70% of existing production capacity may exit the market because it cannot meet the technical requirements.

Where exactly is the “strictest” new standard more stringent? And how will it reshape the industrial landscape and affect consumers? The “Food, Rice, Oil & Salt” column has launched interviews and research on this.

Raising the Bar, Forcing Industry Upgrades

“The power bank industry once fell into a dilemma of ‘bad money driving out good’—cheap products that sacrifice the quality of components in large quantities flooded the market.” A shop vendor in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei told reporters.

After the new standard is implemented, companies must strictly conduct R&D and production, strengthening controls over raw materials and key components.

“At the beginning of the rollout of the new standard, companies’ costs will increase by 20% to 30%, but it will drive continued improvements in technological reserves and product safety performance.” Xiao Song, R&D Director of Anker Innovation, said. Anker has always put consumer safety first. Last year, it proactively initiated large-scale preventive recalls. It has already completed product iteration ahead of schedule and officially launched a new generation of products that comply with the new national standard, leading the industry’s compliance-based transformation with concrete actions.

The new standard sets a 12-month transition period, and will be officially implemented on April 1, 2027. During the transition period, companies may choose to follow the new standard or the previous standard; afterward, production and sales must comply with the new standard.

The “Strictest” New Regulations, Safety Upgraded Again

“The new standard comprehensively improves product safety.” Geng Zhenfeng, Director of the Safety Center Laboratory at the Electronic Standards Institute of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that the new standard adds multiple new testing items, focusing on enhancing mobile power protection capabilities in extreme scenarios such as high temperatures, overcharging, and crushing.

For the first time, the new standard introduces a needling test in consumer-class batteries—directly piercing the battery with a steel needle to simulate the battery’s reaction after internal short-circuiting—requiring that the battery does not catch fire and does not explode. At the same time, it adds a lithium-precipitation test after 300 charge-discharge cycles to reduce safety risks from the source of old and outdated products. In addition, the new standard requires mobile power supplies to have an overvoltage cutoff and disable function: once the battery is overcharged, charging and discharging become impossible, preventing mobile power supplies from being used “while sick,” which could lead to fires or explosions.

The new standard makes specific and clear requirements for labeling, making the “mystery box” transparent. It requires labeling a dedicated “identity card number,” so that consumers can scan to query core information such as the battery brand and production manufacturer. It requires labeling rated energy, making it easier for inspection and verification by ensuring capacity is not “watered down.” It also requires labeling a recommended safety service life, reminding users to replace old products in a timely manner.

Information Transparency, So Consumers Can “See It”

Data from the China Chemical & Physical Power Sources Industry Association show that in China, 60% of power bank companies use an OEM/ODM outsourcing model, and product quality varies widely. In the past, when consumers purchased power banks, they often faced the predicament of “opening a mystery box”—it was hard to tell whether parameters were genuine, the source of battery cells was unclear, and safety performance was unknown.

The new standard makes specific requirements for clear labeling, making the “mystery box” transparent. It requires labeling a dedicated “identity card number,” so consumers can scan to query core information such as the battery brand and production manufacturer. It requires labeling rated energy, so capacity is no longer “watered down,” facilitating inspection and verification. It also requires labeling a recommended safety service life, reminding users to replace old products in a timely manner.

Xiong Hua wen, Director of the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the new standard helps consumers clearly identify product quality, assisting regulatory authorities in efficiently tracing problems to their sources. The market will no longer be dominated by price wars, but will return to value-based competition centered on quality and safety.

By fortifying the safety bottom line, promoting industrial innovation, and breaking information barriers, the new standard not only safeguards consumers’ rights and interests but also forces companies to upgrade their technology—helping mobile power supplies “release” more development energy within the framework of regulation.