Stainless Steel Kitchen Equipment Product Certification

Core Certification Content

The stainless steel kitchen equipment product certification focuses on product quality and safety performance, examining the following dimensions:

Product Classification and Scope of Application: The standard covers the commercial stainless steel kitchen equipment sector, with main product types including eight categories: washing tables, work tables, storage cabinets, shelving units, carts, refrigeration equipment, cleaning equipment, and heating equipment. The standard does not address food safety.

Stainless Steel Material Requirements: The raw stainless steel materials used in products shall comply with the relevant regulations for stainless steel in GB/T 3280 and GB/T 20878. Materials in direct contact with food shall meet relevant national food safety standards. In humid or corrosive environments, austenitic stainless steel materials conforming to GB/T 20878 are recommended.

Plate Thickness Requirements: The thickness of main component plates shall not be less than specified values, with back panels no less than 0.8 mm; shelves, bottom panels, side panels, sinks, and door panels no less than 1.0 mm; and countertops no less than 1.2 mm. Thickness deviations shall comply with GB/T 3280.

Appearance Quality Requirements: After polishing, the surface texture shall be uniform, with an external surface roughness no greater than 3.2 micrometers. There shall be no obvious scratches, hammer marks, or burn marks. Welded parts shall be firm with uniform weld patterns, free from defects such as incomplete penetration or cracks. Exposed welds shall be polished or color-treated. Fasteners for all connecting parts shall be evenly positioned and firmly connected. Parts in contact with the human body shall have no sharp edges or burrs.

Load-Bearing Capacity Requirements: Countertops, shelves, and bottom panels shall each withstand loads of 400 kg to 450 kg, with deformation not exceeding 1 mm. Under a horizontal concentrated force of 500 N, the frame deformation shall be less than 3 mm, and after removal of the force, the frame deformation shall not exceed 1 mm.

Corrosion Resistance Requirements: The corrosion resistance of products is verified through salt spray testing, typically requiring no less than 800 to 960 hours of salt spray testing, with a protection grade of 10.

Certification Process

The stainless steel kitchen equipment product certification is generally divided into the following stages:

Application and Document Submission: Select a third-party testing institution with CNAS and CMA qualifications, and submit documents such as the company's business license, product design drawings, material composition descriptions, and production process descriptions. The certification body conducts a preliminary compliance review of the application materials.

Product Sampling and Inspection: The certification body assigns personnel to sample at the production site or finished product warehouse, and the samples are sent to a qualified laboratory for testing. Tests include material composition analysis, plate thickness measurement, appearance quality inspection, load-bearing capacity testing, and salt spray corrosion tests.

Initial Factory Inspection: On-site audit of the manufacturing enterprise, including factory quality assurance capability inspection and product consistency check, to verify that the company's production and management processes meet certification requirements.

Rectification and Re-examination: If non-conformances are found during testing, the company shall analyze the cause, implement corrective actions, and resubmit samples for testing. Complete records and evidence of the rectification process shall be maintained.

Certification Decision and Issuance: After passing all tests, the certification body issues an official test report and certification certificate, confirming that the product meets the requirements of GB/T 38160-2019, and affixes the CNAS or CMA stamp.

Post-Certification Surveillance: The certification body provides annual surveillance audit services to confirm that the product continues to meet certification requirements. Enterprises shall establish an internal quality control mechanism and regularly test raw materials and mass-produced products.

Value of Certification

Meeting Project Bidding Requirements: In commercial kitchen equipment procurement and engineering tenders, test reports conforming to GB/T 38160-2019 and food contact product safety certificates are important qualification documents, often listed as necessary conditions for supplier admission.

Ensuring Product Quality and Usage Safety: Through strict testing of materials, thickness, welding, and load-bearing capacity, the long-term reliable use of stainless steel kitchen equipment in commercial environments is ensured. Welded parts shall be firm, and load-bearing capacity meets the high-intensity usage demands of commercial kitchens.

Standardizing Healthy Industry Development: The release and implementation of GB/T 38160-2019 fills the gap in national standards for stainless steel kitchen equipment in China, providing a unified technical basis for product design, manufacturing, and inspection, effectively promoting the standardized development of the commercial kitchenware market.

Enhancing Market Competitiveness: Certified companies may use the certification mark in product promotion, demonstrating product quality reliability to purchasers and consumers, thereby increasing market trust and competitiveness.