Two Mandatory National Standards Issued by MIIT Targeting Quality Defects, Power Mislabeling, and False Advertising of Photovoltaic Modules

On March 24, the MIIT released a notice on the public solicitation of comments on the draft mandatory national standards "Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic Modules" and "Labeling Requirements for Photovoltaic Modules".

Among these, the "Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic Modules" specifies general requirements and safety requirements for ground-mounted photovoltaic modules, and describes corresponding test methods. This document applies to photovoltaic modules intended for long-term outdoor operation under climatic conditions with a system voltage not exceeding 1500 V. Other types of photovoltaic modules may refer to this document for guidance. This document does not apply to space-use photovoltaic modules or concentrator photovoltaic modules.

The Explanatory Note on "Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic Modules" states that some enterprises, in pursuit of short-term profits, have relaxed product quality and standardization requirements, leading to the presence of low-quality and substandard products in the market. Quality defects have caused widespread issues such as glass breakage, structural failure, and delamination of encapsulation materials in photovoltaic modules, significantly increasing the risk of fires, electric shocks, and other safety incidents. These hazards not only threaten human life, property, and the safe operation of power stations but also damage the industry's overall image and reputation.

To strengthen market regulation and guide the healthy, high-quality development of the industry, and in accordance with Article 10 of the Standardization Law—which stipulates that mandatory national standards shall be formulated for technical requirements essential to safeguarding human health and life and property safety—a mandatory national standard titled "Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic Modules" is being developed. This standard aims to comprehensively enhance the safety performance of photovoltaic modules throughout their entire life cycle through unified safety specifications, effectively preventing major safety risks, and thereby supporting the construction of a new power system, ensuring energy security, and promoting high-quality industrial development.

The “Nameplate Marking Requirements for Photovoltaic Modules” specifies the general and marking requirements for nameplates of ground-mounted photovoltaic modules. This document applies to nameplate marking of crystalline silicon and thin-film photovoltaic modules intended for long-term outdoor use; other types of photovoltaic modules may refer to this document for guidance. This document does not apply to space photovoltaic modules or concentrator photovoltaic modules.

The compilation background of "Requirements for Identification Marks on Photovoltaic Modules" points out that the industry has experienced large-scale homogenized layout, market "cutthroat" competition, and a sharp decline in industry profits. Some enterprises, in pursuit of short-term profits, have engaged in phenomena such as "overrated power" on nameplates and "false advertising," which not only harm consumer interests but also affect the overall industry image.

To strengthen market supervision and guide the healthy and high-quality development of the industry, according to Article 10 of the Standardization Law, technical requirements that meet the basic needs of economic and social management shall be formulated as mandatory national standards. The development of the mandatory national standard "Requirements for Identification Marks on Photovoltaic Modules" aims to clarify the standardization of identification marks on photovoltaic modules, unify the parameter values and their measurement methods on the nameplates, make the nameplate information "true and verifiable," eliminate the phenomenon of "overstated" power ratings, establish a fair competitive order, and safeguard the overall image of the industry.

Here are the details: