In an era where pets are deeply embraced as part of the family warmth, the welfare and safety of pets have become a tender spot in the hearts of many. The pet industry is booming like the rising sun, and the dazzling array of pet products on the market is overwhelming. However, behind this lies the uneven quality that urgently requires a measure to quantify standards and draw boundaries.

After in-depth research by experts and extensive collection of feedback from the public, China has officially issued the new national standard for pet supplies, "Safety Technical Requirements for Companion Animal (Pet) Supplies" GB/T 43839-2024. This is not only the first national standard for pet supplies in our country but also a responsible commitment to pets and pet lovers. It will officially start a new chapter in pet supply safety from October 1st of this year. This standard applies to the manufacturing, sale, and safety evaluation of pet supplies.

Pet Supplies Category

Categories		Typical Examples of Supplies
Terrestrial Pet Suppliesa	Living Supplies	1) Cages, nests, mats, clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, bird leg chains, waste pickers; 2)Plates, bowls, cups, feeders, water dispensers; 3) Cat litter, cat climbing frames, cat litter pans, lint rollers, cat scratching boards, cat teaser sticks, heating blankets; 4) Bathtubs, towels, showerheads, nail clippers, combs, hair dryers, electric clippers, claw grinders, teeth grinding tools (teeth grinding sticks, chew toys, ropes, etc.), dental care tools (finger toothbrushes, dental cleaners, etc.); 5) Leashes, muzzles, collars, fences, bark controllers, whistles, toys (frisbees, pull rings, ball fetchers, etc.)
	Oral Cleaning and Care Products	Toothpaste, oral rinse, and dental gel.
	Hygiene Products	Shampoos, Shower Gels, Conditioners, Shampoo Pastes, Degreasing Creams, Hair Dye Creams, Dishwashing Detergents
	Sanitary Products	Tissues, Wet Wipes, Sanitary Wet Wipes, Excretion Products (Diapers, Urine Pads, Paper Diapers)
	Environmental Products	Air Fresheners, Deodorizers
Aquatic Pet Supplies		Aquariums, Fish Tanks, Aquascaping Decorations
Amphibian/Reptile Pet Suppliers		Terrariums, Habitat Decorations
aDoes not include reptile pet supplies.

The standard establishes detailed requirements and test methods, including strict specifications for the raw materials of the product, mechanical and physical properties, chemical composition, electrical safety, as well as safety labeling, etc. These specifications are designed to minimize the potential safety risks that pet products may pose to humans and pets.CIRSC&K Testing offers comprehensive testing services for pet product manufacturers to ensure their products comply with the provisions of these new standards.

Test items
Physicochemical Indicators
Appearance	Corrosion Resistance		Colorfastness	Migratable Elements
Moisture Content	Heavy Metals (Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Cadmium)		pH	Stability of Active Ingredients
Migratable Fluorescent Substances	Phthalate Plasticizers		Ethylene Oxide Residues	Biodegradability
Toxicological Safety
Repeated Insult Patch Test			Acute Ocular Irritation Test
Microbiological Testing
Total Mold and Yeast Count		Pseudomonas aeruginosa			Total Bacterial Count
Thermotolerant Coliforms		Staphylococcus aureus			Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, and Bacteriostatic Performance
Hemolytic Streptococcus		Total Fungal Colony Count

With the implementation of the new national standards, pet product manufacturers and sellers need to quickly adapt to the new regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and quality compliance of pet products.CIRSC&K Testing offers the following recommendations to enterprises:

1. Establish and improve the quality control system: Enterprises should establish or enhance their internal quality control systems to ensure that products comply with national standards at all stages, from design, raw material procurement, and production to final shipment.

2. Enhance raw material selection and supply chain management:Strictly select raw material suppliers that meet national standards and establish a comprehensive supply chain management system to ensure the safety and traceability of raw materials.

3. Increase investment in product design and development:Product design should fully consider the physiological characteristics and behavioral habits of pets, and comply with the relevant provisions of the new national standards, such as non-toxicity, harmlessness, and resistance to biting and scratching.

4. Clearly label product information:Product packaging should clearly identify product information, including materials, applicable pet types and sizes, usage methods, and safety warnings, to enable consumers to make informed choices.

5. Conduct third-party testing and certification:Regularly cooperate with authoritative third-party testing organizations to test and certify products, in order to gain consumer trust.