GB24538-2025
Fall protection—Energy absorbers
坠落防护 缓冲器
GB 24538-2025 is an upcoming mandatory Chinese national standard for Fall protection—Energy absorbers. It appears in the Medical compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of Sep 1, 2026.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard specifies the technical requirements, testing methods, and marking for energy absorbers used in fall protection systems. It is applicable to energy absorbers designed for working at heights. This standard is mandatory for all manufacturers of such equipment entering the Chinese market. It explicitly excludes energy absorbers used in sports, firefighting, and other similar industries.
Technical requirements
The standard outlines comprehensive requirements for the design and construction of energy absorbers, mandating that the maximum rated load shall not be less than 100 kg. Critical energy-absorbing components must be protected by covers, and fabric end loops must include protective pads or brackets to prevent wear. Manufacturers must ensure all components are free from burrs and sharp edges. Regarding mechanical performance, the standard sets limits for initial deformation and static load capacity. It specifies that under a specific initial load, deformation must not exceed a defined threshold, and the absorber must withstand a substantial static load without rupture. These requirements ensure the structural integrity of the device under pre-fall tension and extreme static forces. For dynamic performance, the standard regulates the peak impact force and permanent extension experienced during a fall. The absorber must limit the peak force to a specific maximum value to prevent injury to the user. Additionally, the maximum deployment length must not be less than the sum of the permanent extension and the initial pin centre length. The standard also addresses corrosion resistance and special environmental performance. Metal components must show no visible red rust after salt spray testing. If a manufacturer claims suitability for special environments (e.g., high temperature, low temperature, wet, or cold-wet conditions), the absorber must pass dynamic performance tests after exposure to these specific environmental conditions.
Testing methods
Testing procedures include static load testing using calibrated force-loading equipment to verify structural integrity without rupture. Dynamic performance testing involves dropping a metal test mass of specified diameter and weight to measure the peak impact force and calculate permanent extension. Corrosion resistance is evaluated via a neutral salt spray test (NSS) in accordance with GB/T 10125. For special environments, samples are preconditioned in extreme temperatures or water before undergoing dynamic performance evaluation.
FAQs
What products are regulated under GB 24538-2025?
GB 24538-2025 regulates energy absorbers used in fall protection systems for working at heights. It does not apply to products used for sports or firefighting.
Are there any updates from the previous version of GB 24538-2025?
Yes, this version replaces GB/T 24538-2009. Major changes include updated definitions for permanent extension and peak force, revised technical requirements for initial deformation and static load, and modified testing methods for dynamic and special environmental performance.
Does GB 24538-2025 reference international standards?
The standard references ISO 10333-2:2000, EN 355:2002, and EN 364:1993 in its bibliography, indicating an alignment with international fall protection testing methodologies.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 24538-2025. To ensure complete compliance for your products entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 24538-2025 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Product
- CCS
- C73
- ICS
- 13.340.99
- Competent department
- Ministry of Emergency Management
- Technical committee
- National Technical Committee on Personal Protective Equipment of Standardization Administration of China
Relationships
Replaces:GB/T 24538-2009