At the very beginning of 2026, the building materials and home furnishing industry was completely “in an uproar” due to a single document. Previously, buying building materials involved looking at brands and comparing prices; now, the first question might be: “What grade (A) is this material?” The new regulation, “General Rules for the Selection of Good Materials,” officially came into effect on January 1, 2026. It’s not just an industry standard, but also a “wealth distributor” for the next three to five years.
Just how strict are the new regulations? Previously, “environmentally friendly” and “green” were mostly promotional gimmicks; now it’s different. The national “General Rules for the Selection of Good Materials” has four hard indicators, all of which are measurable and verifiable.
</ … In terms of health indicators, the formaldehyde removal rate of coatings must be ≥80%, and the antibacterial rate ≥99%. Materials that don't meet these standards won't even qualify as "healthy building materials." Safety indicators require building components to have a weather resistance of ≥20 years and a fire resistance rating of at least B1. Materials that age and peel after a few years will be eliminated from the market. Green indicators mandate a carbon footprint report, requiring concrete carbon emissions to be reduced by 15%. Without a report, bidding for projects may be disqualified. A 3A, 4A, and 5A tiered certification system is being implemented for premium quality. 3A is the entry ticket, 4A allows access to government projects, and 5A is exclusively for "good housing" demonstration projects. The rating directly impacts order volume and profit margins. The industry reshuffle has begun. This is not just a standard upgrade, but also a restructuring of industry wealth. Small factories relying on low-price competition and lacking technological capabilities are likely to struggle this year. Standards will be enforced, products won't ship, and they'll either have to close down or be acquired. Meanwhile, companies that have already obtained green building material certification will directly enter the "Good Materials Directory," with orders expected to increase by over 30%, reaping the first wave of benefits. Traditional companies that quickly upgrade to 4A level or higher can access government projects and the high-end home decoration market, potentially doubling their profit margins. Many business owners are already holding meetings overnight to figure out how to achieve higher ratings. Opportunities exist for different stakeholders. Manufacturers need to immediately self-inspect their products to see what rating they can achieve; 3A is just enough to survive, 4A is where the profits are, and 5A will be the highest endorsement of brand prestige. Distributors or decoration companies must change their product selection logic; customers will proactively inquire about ratings in the future, making lower-grade materials increasingly difficult to sell. Connecting with 4A and 5A level supply chains as early as possible is the key to long-term business. For homeowners, the good news is that future building materials will be healthier and more durable, but they should also be aware that rising costs of high-end materials may be passed on to some market prices. In the long run, three capabilities will determine a company's survival. Green certification will no longer be a bonus, but a mandatory qualification. Carbon footprint management ensures traceability of carbon emissions from raw materials to finished products, potentially impacting exports and loans in the future. Full-chain traceability allows customers to scan codes to see material origins and testing reports; transparency is the best advertising. This reform will cripple some companies in the short term, but will benefit the overall industry upgrade in the long run. In the future, cheapness alone won't be enough in the building materials industry; genuine competence is required. Those companies focused on technology and genuine environmental protection will fully capitalize on this policy dividend.
