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New National Standard for Wallpaper Released: What to Look for in Eco-Friendliness, Durability, and Installability When Choosing Wall Materials
According to a report by Hunan Rednet on October 19, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China) recently revised and released the national standard for Wallpaper (GB/T 34844-2026), which will officially come into effect on April 1, 2027. The new standard targets wallpaper decorative materials widely used in scenarios such as residences, hotels, and offices. It optimizes technical indicators in terms of product classification, physical performance, and cleaning durability, providing a more scientific basis for wallpaper manufacturing, inspection and testing, and consumer purchasing.
Clearer Product Classification for Easier Consumer Identification The new standard establishes a product classification system from three dimensions: material, width, and function. Classified by material, wallpapers include pure paper wallpaper, pure non-woven wallpaper, paper-based wallpaper, non-woven paper-based wallpaper, and cloth-based wallpaper. Classified by width, they are divided into seamless wallpaper and spliced wallpaper. Classified by function, they include ordinary wallpaper and mildew-proof wallpaper. This classification comprehensively covers mainstream wallpaper categories in the market, providing support for production control and inspection supervision, while also making it easier for consumers to quickly identify different product characteristics during purchasing.
Stricter Physical Performance to Reduce Installation Failures Addressing common issues during wallpaper installation such as curling edges, shrinking seams, deformation, and tearing, the new standard has made stricter adjustments to multiple physical performance indicators. In terms of roll sections, for products with a 15-meter specification, the number of sections per roll is adjusted from no more than two to no more than one, and the minimum section length for all products is increased from 3 meters to 5.5 meters, reducing splicing seams and material waste. At the same time, the transverse dimensional change indicators for pure non-woven and cloth-based wallpapers are tightened, adjusted from no more than 1.5% to 0.8%, improving dimensional stability after installation. The new standard also increases the wet tensile strength of pure non-woven wallpaper, non-woven paper-based wallpaper, and cloth-based wallpaper, preventing the products from tearing and damaging during the soaking process of installation.
New Wipeability and Washability Indicators Focusing on Daily Durability Combining the needs of installation cleaning and daily maintenance, the new standard adds two key indicators: wipeability of adhesive and washability. The wipeability of adhesive simulates the scenario of installation glue staining the wallpaper surface, requiring that after wiping a specified number of times, the uncured adhesive must not leave damage marks on the wallpaper surface, solving the problem of residual glue pollution during installation. The washability indicator is used to evaluate the product's daily stain resistance, ease of cleaning, and service life. Good washability helps maintain a clean and beautiful wall surface, enhancing the practicality and durability of the product.
Key Points for Consumers When Selecting Wall Materials For families currently renovating or planning to refurbish their walls, wallpaper selection can be comprehensively judged from three aspects:
Look at Eco-Friendliness: The environmental safety of wallpaper is mainly based on the mandatory national standard "Indoor Decorative and Renovating Materials - Limit of Harmful Substances in Wallpaper" (GB 18585-2023). This standard sets limit requirements for harmful substances such as formaldehyde emission, TVOC emission, heavy metals, and phthalates. When purchasing, consumers can ask merchants to provide inspection reports with CMA/CNAS qualifications.
Look at Durability: Pay attention to whether the product specifies material, width, and functional categories. Prioritize products with better indicators in wet tensile strength, washability, and dimensional change, especially for spaces with high usage frequency such as areas around kitchens and bathrooms, and children's rooms.
Look at Installability: Pay attention to information such as section length and splicing methods to reduce the appearance of obvious seams after installation. During installation, it is also important to value the eco-friendliness and compatibility of auxiliary materials such as wall primers and adhesives to avoid affecting the overall effect due to auxiliary material issues.
The new standard will be implemented on April 1, 2027. During the transition period, consumers can pay attention to the product's execution standard, inspection reports, and merchant instructions when making purchases, and make choices based on their own living environment and budget.
Sources
- Hunan Rednet (2026-10-18) - Original link: New National Standard for Wallpaper Released: What to Look for in Eco-Friendliness, Durability, and Installability When Choosing Wall Materials - https://jj.rednet.cn/m/content/646054/53/16384302.html
