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Performance Standard for New Electric Washing Machines, Effective from May 1, 2026

Time：

2026-04-15

GB/T 4288-2025 "Household and Similar Purposes Electric Washing Machines" will officially take effect on May 1, 2026, replacing GB/T 4288-2018. It applies to household washing machines (including spin dryers) with a single-phase rated voltage not exceeding 250V and a single wash tub/cylinder rated capacity greater than 2.0kg, covering usage scenarios for non-professionals such as homes, shops, and schools. The standard introduces new requirements for a light wash cycle with a洗净比 (cleaning ratio) of ≥0.80, specifies minimum color protection rates of 40% for agitator-type and 50% for drum-type washing machines, and improves the testing methods for multi-tub washing machines while adjusting the dual compliance requirements for wash tub capacity.

In order to cover more product functions and meet consumer demand, GB/T 4288-2025 "Household and Similar Use Electric Washing Machines" will be officially implemented on May 1, 2026, which will effectively promote the upgrading of washing machine product quality. The new version of the washing machine performance standard will replace GB/T 4288-2018 "Household and Similar Use Electric Washing Machines" and is the fifth revision of the GB/T 4288 standard.

key points

Range

The new version of the product performance standard specifies the terminology and definitions, product classification, technical requirements, inspection rules, labeling, packaging, transportation, and storage of household and similar electric washing machines, and describes the corresponding test methods.

Suitable for electric washing machines (including dehydrators) with a single-phase rated voltage not exceeding 250V, a single washing drum/bucket rated capacity greater than 2.0kg, and used by non professionals in homes, shops, schools, and other places.

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Introduce washing performance testing methods

The new version of the washing machine performance standards has introduced a large number of washing performance testing methods closely related to users' daily use, especially in the areas of "light washing" and "color protection" with clear requirements. The light washing performance test targets common oil, pigment, adhesive, and adsorption stains in daily life, using more realistic pollution cloth and testing procedures; The color protection performance is quantified by a colorimeter to measure the washing machine's performance in color protection. These changes require companies to balance the protection of clothing color and material while improving washing efficiency, achieving a balance between washing and color protection.

The new standard stipulates that for the light washing program of washing machines, a new light washing program with a wash ratio of ≥ 0.80 has been added. The color protection rate of drum washing machines should not be less than 40%, and the color protection rate of drum washing machines should not be less than 50%. In addition, enterprises also need to optimize washing programs, water flow control, and detergent adaptation systems for different types of stains, which significantly increases the technical difficulty.

Improve the testing method for multi-drum washing machines

The new version of the standard has improved the performance testing and result evaluation methods for multi drum washing machines, including "washing", "rinsing", "wear and tear", "dehydration performance", "unit water consumption", "unit power consumption", "shutdown/standby power", "annual power consumption", "wool fabric washing", "noise", "vibration", "light washing", "color protection performance" and other test methods. The test method description for multi drum washing machines has been added to ensure that the performance of each drum body of multi drum structural products can be independently and scientifically tested and evaluated.

Dual compliance requirements for adjusting the washing drum capacity

The current standard stipulates that the effective volume of the washing drum (tub) of a washing machine should not be less than 95% of its rated value.

The revised standard adjusts the effective volume of the washing drum (tub) to a dual requirement: the measured volume of the washing drum (tub) should not be less than 95% of its declared value, nor should it be less than the declared value minus 1.5 liters.

Add and adjust detergent-related requirements

The new standard adds requirements, test methods, ingredient ratios, and dosage for liquid detergents, while adjusting the formulation of solid detergents to address the ban of the original formula containing sodium perborate in the European market. The new detergent formulations may impact existing testing procedures and experimental data, requiring companies to revalidate product performance to ensure the accuracy and consistency of test results.

Overview of Major Technical Changes

This document replaces GB/T 4288-2018 "Household and Similar Use Electric Washing Machines". Compared with GB/T 4288-2018, except for structural adjustments and editorial changes, the main technical changes are as follows:

Added product types that are not applicable to this document (see Chapter 1);
Added the terms "short-term washing program", "light washing program", "washing color difference", "color protection rate" and their definitions (see 3.12, 3.13, 3.23, 3.24);
Deleted the overview of technical requirements (see 5.1.1 in the 2018 version);
Added dual requirements for the effective capacity of the washing drum (bucket) (see 5.3);
Added wash ratio requirements for short-term washing programs and changed wash ratio requirements for standard washing programs (see 5.4);
Added the requirement for "rinse performance" when using liquid detergents (see 5.6);
Changed the "wear rate" requirement for pulsator washing machines (see 5.7 in the 2018 version);
Added the requirement of "unit water consumption" divided by rated capacity (see 5.10);
Added the requirement of "unit power consumption" divided by rated capacity (see 5.10);
Added requirements for "light washing" and "color protection performance" (see 5.16, 5.17);
Added the requirement for allowable deviation of the explicit value of "color protection rate" (see 5.20);
Removed the warm water test conditions (see 6.1 of the 2018 version);
Changed the uncertainty of weighing tools and liquid flow meters used to measure the mass of standard wear samples and standard wool shrinkage samples (see 6.2 in the 2018 version);
Added parameter requirements for colorimeter (see 6.2);
Deleted the soaking instructions for cotton standard washing fabrics using a separate dehydrator (see 6.3d of the 2018 version);
Added explanations for the effectiveness of the experiment and labeling of detergent types and test results (see 6.3.2, 6.3.3);
Added descriptions of the testing methods for multi drum washing machines, including "washing", "rinsing", "wear", "dehydration performance", as well as "unit water consumption", "unit power consumption", "shutdown/standby power", "annual power consumption", "wool fabric washing", "noise", "vibration", "light washing", and "color protection performance" (see 6.5-6.18);
Added a rinse performance test method using liquid detergent (see 6.7);
Added the test method for light washing performance of washing machines (see 6.17, Appendix K);
Added the testing method for color protection performance of washing machines (see 6.18, Appendix L);
Added types of standard washing fabrics and liquid detergents, and correspondingly changed the fabric loading method and detergent dosage (see C.4.1, C.5.3, C.8.2.1, C.9.2.2, 2018 version of C.8.2.1, C.9.2.2);
Changed the specifications of standard washing fabrics (C.4.2, C.4.3, 2018 version C.4.1, C.4.2);
Added the method of "liquid detergent dosage" (see C.9.2.2);
Changed the method of dispensing detergent according to different types of detergents (see C.9.3, 2018 version of C.9.3);
Added the effective range of cleaning rate for mixing reference machines using different types of standard contaminated fabrics (see C.9.6);
Added the main index grading of "fully automatic pulsator washing machine with heating device" (see Table M.1);
Added grading evaluation and symbol correspondence with GB/T45353-2025 (see M.4, M.5).

Compliance Services

Compliance Service

On May 1, 2026, the new version of the washing machine performance standard "Household and Similar Use Electric Washing Machines" (GB/T 4288-2025) will be officially implemented. The new standard will encourage enterprises to accelerate product innovation pace, promote comprehensive optimization of washing technology, program control and structural design, and promote the overall technological level of the industry. At the same time, the new performance standards for washing machines have strengthened functions such as gentle washing and color protection, which will guide consumers to pay more attention to the washing and care effects and user experience of products, and promote the development of the market towards high quality, intelligence, and segmentation.

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