As a core process in industrial surface treatment, electrophoretic coating is widely applied in automotive manufacturing, hardware & home appliances, building materials & sanitary ware, construction machinery and other industries, featuring high corrosion resistance, uniform coating performance and eco-friendly advantages.
With the continuous tightening of national work safety and environmental protection regulations, standardized development has become an inevitable trend for the electrophoresis industry. A number of important regulations and industrial standards were officially released in 2025, drawing clear safety red lines and development bottom lines for the whole sector. This article deeply interprets the core regulatory requirements, sorts out key points for compliant production, and shares an interesting industry story at the end.
1. Implementation of New Core National Standards to Consolidate Safety Foundation
On October 31, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China jointly issued GB 46759-2025 Safety Specification for Electrophoretic Coating.
As the first mandatory national standard for the electrophoresis industry, it will be officially implemented on August 1, 2026, fully replacing the old industrial standards. It covers the whole workflow of cathodic electrophoresis, including process design, equipment configuration, operational procedures, chemical storage & transportation, as well as maintenance and inspection.
1.1 Equipment & Facility Safety: Strict Control to Eliminate Hidden Risks
The new standard sets strict requirements on core electrophoresis equipment to prevent electric shock, fire and chemical leakage from the source:
- Tank & Grounding System: The electrophoresis tank and anode system must be reliably grounded, with the special grounding resistance ≤10Ω. All pipelines, valves and filters in contact with paint liquid shall be grounded to avoid static electricity accumulation.
- Anode & Ultrafiltration System: The anode system is equipped with automatic conductivity control, automatic water replenishment and current detection systems. The ultrafiltration system is fitted with a turbidity meter at the outlet for automatic leakage alarm; the cleaning system adopts a temperature sensor for automatic shutdown under over-temperature conditions.
- Working Area Standard: The workshop floor shall be flat, spark-proof and corrosion-resistant, with flushing facilities and reasonable drainage slope. Fall-proof devices shall be installed around tanks and pits; protective covers shall be equipped for moving parts, with smooth passages and clear safety signs.
1.2 Environmental Protection & Occupational Health: Green Production & People-Oriented Management
Under the dual-carbon strategy, the new standard further strengthens environmental protection and personnel protection:
- Wastewater Anti-Seepage: Drainage ditches and water collecting pits for electrophoresis wastewater must be treated with anti-seepage and anti-corrosion construction, supporting with closed wastewater collection tanks to prevent soil and groundwater pollution.
- Chemical Management: Electrophoresis coatings and additives shall be stored and transported in partitioned areas away from fire sources. Ventilation systems and personal protective equipment including acid & alkali resistant gloves, goggles and protective clothing shall be fully equipped in operation areas.
- Emergency Management: Enterprises shall formulate special emergency plans for electric shock, chemical burns and fire accidents, organize regular drills and complete emergency rescue supplies.
1.3 Supporting Standards Form a Comprehensive Supervision System
In addition to GB 46759-2025, enterprises shall also comply with supporting specifications:
- GB 7691-2025 General Principles for Safety Management of Coating Operations
- JB/T 10242-2013 General Technical Specification for Cathodic Electrophoretic Coating
- Relevant environmental laws including Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law, Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law and local emission standards to strictly control VOCs and wastewater discharge.
2. Three Key Measures for Enterprises to Achieve Compliant Operation
2.1 Upgrade Equipment in Line with New Standards
Fully inspect grounding systems, anode & ultrafiltration equipment, wastewater anti-seepage and ventilation facilities. Replace non-compliant components and install automatic monitoring & alarm devices to complete overall rectification before August 1, 2026.
2.2 Improve Rules and Strengthen Personnel Training
Revise operating procedures, chemical management regulations and emergency disposal guidelines in accordance with the new standard. Conduct regular safety training to ensure all staff master standard operation, protective skills and emergency response procedures.
2.3 Establish Long-Term Closed-Loop Compliance Mechanism
Complete ledgers for equipment inspection, water & paint liquid testing, safety training and emergency drills, realizing recordable operation, rectifiable hidden dangers and traceable responsibilities. Take initiative to cooperate with regulatory inspections to avoid penalty and production suspension risks.
3. Industry Story: The Craftsman’s Romance in Electrophoresis Industry
Beyond strict regulations, the electrophoresis industry is full of ingenuity and warmth.
Electrophoresis is not merely industrial assembly line work, but a sophisticated craftsmanship. Senior technicians are professional masters in metal color matching and precision control. In the early years without intelligent sensors, skilled workers judged pH value by observing paint color, adjusted curing time by sensing workpiece temperature, and accurately controlled coating thickness error within ±2μm only by surface gloss.
There is a touching story about an experienced senior craftsman specializing in high-end hardware electrophoresis. Before retirement, he specially prepared transparent electrophoretic coating for his wife’s silver bracelet with self-mixed paint. It perfectly retained the original luster of silver jewelry while providing excellent anti-oxidation and scratch-resistant performance. The bracelet still keeps bright and new after more than ten years of wearing.
Electrophoresis industry is never cold industrial production, but a perfect combination of strict compliance standards and craftsman ingenuity. With the new mandatory regulation coming into force in 2026, only by embracing compliance upgrading and adhering to quality craftsmanship can enterprises stand firmly in industrial reshuffle and achieve long-term steady development.
