China approves new mandatory national standard on secure data erasure in electronic products

China has introduced a mandatory national standard that sets out how data must be securely erased from electronic products before they enter the second-hand market. The new standard, Data Security Technology – Technical Requirements for Information Erasure in Electronic Products, was approved by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China following a proposal from the Cyberspace Administration of China.

The measure responds to mounting concerns over data leakage as consumers replace phones, laptops and other digital devices at an accelerated pace. With the volume of used electronics increasing, regulators warn that inconsistent or incomplete erasure practices have left personal information vulnerable during refurbishment and resale.

The new standard supports the State Council’s Action Plan for Promoting Large-Scale Equipment Upgrades and Trade-in of Consumer Goods, which calls for national rules on data-erasure methods for second-hand devices. According to authorities, the goal is to provide a uniform technical baseline that recycling operators and refurbishers must follow, ensuring that information is removed reliably before products re-enter the market.

By defining clear technical procedures and management requirements, regulators aim to strengthen consumer protection and reduce the risk of data exposure throughout the reuse cycle. Officials say the standard is designed not only to prevent privacy harms but also to promote a more trustworthy and orderly second-hand electronics industry.

The standard will come into force on 1 January 2027, giving companies across the recycling and trade-in sectors time to adjust their processes and implement the required safeguards.