Mandatory Upgrades to Water Efficiency Labeling Take Effect; Sanitary Ware Industry Accelerates Green Transition

In May 2026, with the full implementation and upgrading of a series of mandatory water efficiency standards, China's ceramics and sanitary ware industry is undergoing a profound green transformation. As a major water consumer within the traditional industrial sector, the ceramics industry’s annual water consumption ranges from 420 million to 670 million tons. Driven by the combined forces of policy guidance, regulatory constraints, and technological innovation, the industry is shifting from merely "advocating for water conservation" to adopting a system of "quantifiable assessment." This transition is propelling water-saving sanitary ware products from being merely a baseline for regulatory compliance to becoming the market mainstream, thereby accelerating the realization of high-quality development and a green, low-carbon transition.

I. Comprehensive Tightening of the Standards System: Establishing a Closed-Loop Regulatory Framework Across the Entire Value Chain

In recent years, my country has established a comprehensive, whole-chain water conservation standards system encompassing "target setting, process control, comprehensive evaluation, resource recycling, and market services." Within the field of sanitary ceramics, a standards framework has been formed—centered on mandatory water efficiency standards, supplemented by recommended standards, and anchored by water efficiency labeling—thereby realizing the principles of "standards available to follow, adherence to all applicable standards, and strict enforcement."

1. Water Efficiency Standards for Toilets Significantly Tightened‌

The *Water Efficiency Limits and Water Efficiency Grades for Water Closets* (GB 25502-2024) officially came into effect on May 1, 2025, significantly raising the market entry threshold. The new standard lowers the maximum water consumption limit for Grade 3 water efficiency—the baseline for market entry—from the 6.4 liters stipulated in the previous version to 5.0 liters, while requiring Grade 1 products to have an average water consumption of no more than 3.5 liters. This adjustment enables new direct-flush toilets to achieve water savings of 70% to 80% compared to traditional 6-liter products compliant with the previous national standard, thereby greatly accelerating the widespread adoption of highly water-efficient products.

2. Smart Toilets Achieve Dual Control of "Energy Efficiency + Water Efficiency" for the First Time
In response to the growing popularity of smart toilets, the standard *Minimum Allowable Values ​​of Energy Efficiency and Water Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for Smart Toilets* (GB 38448-2025) is set to take effect on April 1, 2027. This standard not only strictly regulates water consumption for flushing and cleansing functions but also, for the first time, imposes limits on standby power and cyclical energy consumption. Furthermore, it brings "simplified" (light-smart) toilets under regulatory oversight, thereby filling a gap in industry standards and driving the smart sanitary ware sector toward a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly future.

3. Standards for Faucets and Showerheads Fully Implemented
In the realm of faucets, standard GB 25501-2019 clearly defines water efficiency grades for various types of faucets. Specifically, for lavatory and kitchen faucets, the Grade 3 entry-level flow rate is set at ≤7.5 L/min, while the Grade 1 (highest) efficiency level requires a flow rate of ≤4.5 L/min—potentially achieving water savings of over 50%. Furthermore, the mandatory application of water efficiency labeling for these products will go into effect on January 1, 2025. Regarding showerheads, standard GB 28378-2019 distinguishes between handheld and fixed-mount models, setting the Grade 1 water efficiency flow rate limits at ≤4.5 L/min and ≤9.0 L/min, respectively. Additionally, the standard introduces new requirements for spray force and flow uniformity, ensuring that water conservation is achieved without compromising the user experience; mandatory labeling for these products has been in effect since July 1, 2022.

4. Water Withdrawal Quotas for Production Sector Define Clear Regulatory Boundaries
Beyond end-use products, water conservation controls within the manufacturing sector are also being strengthened. Standard GB/T 18916.64-2022, *Water Withdrawal Quotas—Part 64: Architectural and Sanitary Ceramics*, clearly establishes water withdrawal limits for manufacturers of ceramic tiles and sanitary ceramics. Concurrently, regions such as Henan Province have introduced local standards for water quotas specifically for daily-use ceramics. This coordinated effort has resulted in a comprehensive standards system characterized by collaboration between national and local authorities, as well as a seamless linkage between production-side regulations and end-product standards.

II. Driven by Technological Innovation: Establishing a System of "Source Reduction, Process Control, and End-of-Pipe Recycling"

Innovation in water-saving technologies is the critical key to resolving the ceramic industry's challenge of high water consumption. The industry is gradually establishing a comprehensive, full-chain system of water-saving technologies, driving a transformation in production methods from traditional, water-intensive practices toward a green and low-carbon model.

1. Production Process Innovation: Dry Milling and Waste Ceramic Recycling
In the field of architectural ceramics, dry milling technology has gradually matured and is replacing traditional wet milling processes. By eliminating water-intensive stages—such as ball milling, slurry aging, and spray drying—this method achieves water savings of over 70%; indeed, it has already been implemented in a number of production lines. Furthermore, enterprises in regions such as Liling have pioneered innovative waste ceramic recycling technologies. By processing and repurposing waste ceramics and clay scraps back into their raw material mixtures, they have established a "recovery—reuse—remanufacture—regeneration" closed-loop model. This approach not only reduces raw material consumption but also lowers the demand for water used in cleaning operations.

2. Intelligent Control and Equipment Upgrades
The widespread adoption of full-process online monitoring systems—covering flow rates, pressure, and water quality—coupled with automated leak detection and alarm functions, has enabled major production hubs like Jingdezhen and Foshan to keep water loss rates below 10%. Companies such as Guangdong Yachengde Industrial Co., Ltd. have formulated "Three-Year Water Conservation Action Plans," establishing a comprehensive, full-chain model encompassing "equipment-based water saving, process optimization, and intelligent oversight." This initiative aims to drive a 25% reduction in water consumption per unit of product output.

3. Balancing Product Experience with Environmental Protection
Leading enterprises—such as TOTO—have successfully reconciled water and energy conservation with an exceptional user experience through the application of technologies such as electrolyzed disinfecting water and air injection. Adhering to a "whole-lifecycle" environmental philosophy, these companies implement green management practices across every stage—from raw material selection and production processing to waste disposal. Additionally, they contribute to water resource improvement initiatives by establishing public welfare funds, having collectively donated over 18 million RMB to date. A consensus is gradually emerging within the industry: environmental protection should not come at the cost of user experience; rather, technology should be leveraged to ensure that being "more eco-friendly" equates to being "more comfortable, more convenient, and more cost-effective."

III. Driven by the Dual Forces of Policy and the Market, Water-Saving Products Become the Market Mainstream

To drive the transition of water-saving bathroom products from mere "compliant products" to the "market mainstream," the industry is steadfastly pursuing three key pathways: policy guidance, market-driven growth, and comprehensive scenario coverage.

1. Policy Leadership: Public Institutions Take the Lead in Upgrading
The Ministry of Water Resources and the National Government Offices Administration have jointly launched an initiative to promote and upgrade water-saving fixtures within public institutions. This initiative mandates that all newly purchased water fixtures must meet water efficiency standards of Level 2 or higher, while existing fixtures are to undergo systematic renovation and replacement. To date, over one million public institutions nationwide have completed the upgrade of their water-saving fixtures, and 100% of newly constructed projects are now equipped with Level 1 water-efficiency products. At the local level, various regions—including Beijing and Guangdong—have introduced subsidy policies offering up to 800 yuan per household for the replacement of standard toilets with water-saving models. Meanwhile, areas such as Liling have utilized fiscal funds to leverage nearly 500 million yuan in corporate investment for energy-saving technological upgrades, thereby driving over 90% of local ceramic manufacturers to implement water-saving enhancements.

2. Market-Driven Growth: Rising Awareness and Penetration Rates
The water efficiency labeling system has been fully implemented; currently, over 11,000 enterprises have registered their products, encompassing as many as 110,000 distinct models. E-commerce platforms such as Tmall and JD.com now require product pages to prominently display water efficiency ratings, resulting in consumer awareness of these labels exceeding 90%. Data indicates that between 2024 and 2025, the penetration rate of water-saving toilets in urban areas is projected to reach 78.3%—with Level 1 efficiency models accounting for 41.7% of that total. Furthermore, the penetration rate for water-saving shower fixtures is expected to reach or exceed 75%, while 84.7% of water faucets are projected to meet Level 2 efficiency standards or higher. Notably, random product inspections of leading manufacturers’ offerings have yielded a 100% pass rate. Water-saving product certification has now become a mandatory qualification for government procurement and project acceptance, thereby compelling enterprises to intensify their research and development efforts.

3. Comprehensive Coverage: Expanding from Urban Centers to Rural Areas
Within the green building sector, the compliance rate for water-saving fixture installations in newly constructed green buildings has reached 96.2%, establishing water-saving products as a standard feature in fully furnished residential units. In the domestic market—bolstered by policies supporting old-home renovations and "trade-in" programs—the adoption rate of water-saving products continues to accelerate. Despite a 10% to 30% price premium associated with Level 1 efficiency products, the long-term savings on water costs allow consumers to recoup the initial investment within two to three years. In rural regions and lower-tier (third- and fourth-tier) cities, initiatives such as mandating water-saving fixtures in affordable housing projects and providing guidance for "New Rural Construction" have gradually boosted the penetration rate of water-saving fixtures to between 50% and 65%, thereby steadily narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas.

IV. Challenges and Outlook: Deepening Technological Iteration and Refining the Promotion System

Despite achieving remarkable results, the ceramics industry still faces challenges regarding water conservation—specifically, lagging technological upgrades among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), uneven regional adoption of conservation measures, and an imbalance between water-saving performance and user experience in certain products. Moving forward, the industry must further deepen technological innovation, focusing on key areas such as water conservation in ceramic tile production, water-efficient sanitary ware, and the integration of energy and water efficiency in smart products.

On one hand, efforts should be made to foster collaboration among government, academia, and research institutions; cultivate more "green factories" and benchmark enterprises for water conservation; and drive the iterative upgrading of technologies such as dry powder preparation, zero-discharge wastewater systems, and intelligent control and management systems. On the other hand, the industry must refine its standards framework, continuously tighten water efficiency metrics, align domestic standards with advanced international benchmarks, and strengthen oversight of standard implementation to strictly crack down on violations such as false labeling or the failure to label products. Concurrently, it is essential to broaden the scope of promotional efforts—intensifying outreach in rural markets and older residential communities—while refining subsidy and certification systems. Furthermore, through public awareness campaigns, the industry should foster a societal mindset where "everyone saves water and everyone protects water."

With the full implementation of mandatory upgrades to water efficiency labeling, the sanitary ware industry is now leveraging standardization, digitalization, and green development as key drivers to accelerate its transition toward a new phase of high-quality growth, thereby making a significant contribution to alleviating water scarcity and advancing the construction of an ecological civilization.