Standards GB are Chinese national standards, which are issued by China's Standardization Administration Office (SAC). 

Chinese national standards are used all over China commonly labeled as GB standards. They determine the united production requirements regarding product safety and quality .
GB standards are often modified or created according to the international standards of ISO, IEC or any other international level. Although, they are largely harmonized, GB standards may differ from international standards.

Approximately 15% of all GB standards are obligatory and they can be identified according to the prefix GB, after which the code of the standards follows:

• GB – Obligatory national standards
• GB/T – Optional national standards
• GB/Z – National steering technical document 

With the development through China's reforms and opening up, in April of 2001, the State Council of China decided to set up the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ), by merging the former CSBTS and the former State Bureau of Import & Export Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ SA) and, at the same time, to establish the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China (SAC) and Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA) under AQSIQ.

The functions of the SAC authorized by the State Council are to exercise administrative responsibilities by undertaking unified management, supervision and overall coordination of standardization work in China. The SAC represents China within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and other international and regional standardization organizations; the SAC is responsible for organizing the activities of the Chinese National Committee for ISO and IEC; the SAC approves and organizes the implementation of international cooperation and the exchange of projects on standardization.  

What is GB standards (GuoBiao Standards)? 

GB standards are the China national standards, also called as Guobiao Standards, China GB standards are classified as two stages, Mandatory or Recommended. Mandatory standards have the force of law as do other technical regulations in China. They are enforced by laws and administrative regulations and concern the protection of human health, personal property and safety. All standards that fall outside of these characteristics are considered Recommended standards.

China GB standards can be identified as Mandatory or Recommended by their prefix code, Prefix code GB are Mandatory standards, GB/T are Recommended standards (Quasi-Mandatory standards ).

Why do I need to comply with GB Standards?

In China, All products or services must be complied with GB standards, no matter domestic or imported products, Any products being sold in China are required to be tested in order to ensure their compliance with GB standards.

If you want to export products or services to huge Chinese market, need to understand and be aware of the complexities and necessary requirements under the vast range of GB standards, need to ensure they are meet the requirements of GB china national standards.

The outcome of failing to comply with GB standards can include the rejection of products during importation as well as products being seized from stores, resulting in a significant impact on retailers and manufacturers in terms of reputation and cost.

GB Standards System Main Organizations

The GB standards system in China is administered at the top by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and headed primarily by the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC).

Other governmental and private sector organizations provide a significant amount of additional input and participate in the standards process, Main Organizations include:

• General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ)

• Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC)

• China Association of Standardization (CAS)

• China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS)

• Standards Press of China (SPC)

China Standards Class System

There are four Class of China standards system, They are:

• China National Standards

• China Industry Standards

• China Local Standards

• China Enterprise Standards

These Class are hierarchical, Low class Standards must be compliance with upper class standards, GB standards are the highest class standards, so that all other class standards need to obey GB standards.  

China Industry Standards System 

Note: The Prefix Codes without T are Mandatory standards, Prefix Codes with T are Recommended standards (Quasi-Mandatory standards).