National Standard of the People’s Republic of China
GB 12021.2-2025
Replaces GB 12021.2-2015
Maximum allowable values of energy consumption and energy efficiency grade for household refrigerating appliance
(English)
Issue date: 2025-05-30 Implementation date: 2026-06-01
Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
1 Scope
This document specifies the maximum allowable values of energy consumption, and energy efficiency grade for household refrigerating appliance as well as relevant implementation requirements, and also describes the corresponding test methods.
This document is applicable to motor-driven compression household refrigerating appliance and semiconductor refrigerating appliance with a volume less than or equal to 60L (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerating appliance" for short).
This document is not applicable to refrigerating appliance designed for commercial or vehicle use.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 8059 Household and similar refrigerating appliances
QB/T 5369 Semiconductor refrigeration appliance
IEC 62552-3:2020 Household refrigerating appliances - Characteristics and test methods - Part 3: Energy consumption and volume
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 8059 and QB/T 5369 and the following apply.
3.1
built-in refrigerating appliance
fixed refrigerating appliance intended to be installed in kitchen cabinet, niche reserved in wall or similar position
Note: Fixed refrigerating appliance refers to the appliance fastened to a bracket or fixed at a specific position for use.
3.2
chest refrigerator-freezer
appliance with food put in or taken out through a top door or cover, which has at least one compartment for cold storage (slight freezing) of fresh food, and at least another freezer compartment for freezing fresh food or storing frozen food
3.3
chest freezer
freezer which food is put in or taken out from through a top door or cover
Note: For the combined type, the volume of the top-opening compartment shall not be less than 75% of the total volume.
3.4
upright freezer
freezer which food is put in or taken out from through a front door or drawer
3.5
upright-chest refrigerator-freezer
household refrigerating appliance which is divided into two parts, wherein, one part is a top-opening (chest) structure, with food put in or taken out through the top door or cover, the other part is an upright or drawer-type structure, with food put in or taken out through the front door or drawer
3.6
maximum allowable value of energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
Emax
maximum allowable value of energy consumption of household refrigerating appliance for 24h stable operation
3.7
adjusted volume
Vadj
weighted sum of volumes of different compartments of refrigerating appliance
3.8
standard value of energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
Es
actual energy consumption of household refrigerating appliance for 24h stable operation (excluding the load processing energy consumption for household refrigerating appliances)
3.9
load processing energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
ΔEprocessing
daily load processing energy consumption caused by loading
3.10
total value of energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
Et
actual total energy consumption of household refrigerating appliance for 24h operation under the simulated use state (including the load processing energy consumption for household refrigerating appliances)
3.11
standard energy efficiency index
ηs
ratio of the standard value of energy consumption (Es) to the base energy consumption (Ebase) for household refrigerating appliance
Note: The base energy consumption, which is kept constant, is used as a baseline for product comparison.
3.12
rated standard energy efficiency index
ηrs
the manufacturer's nominal standard energy efficiency index
3.13
total energy efficiency index
ηt
ratio of the total value of energy consumption (Et) to the base energy consumption (Ebase) for household refrigerating appliances
3.14
rated total energy efficiency index
ηrt
the manufacturer's nominal total energy efficiency index
3.15
energy efficiency grade for household refrigerating appliance
grading method that indicates the difference in energy efficiency of household refrigerating appliances. It is divided into Grades: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, with Grade 1 indicating the highest energy efficiency
3.16
volume utilization rate; VUR
ratio of the volume of the refrigerating appliance to the volume calculated from the overall width, height and depth
3.17
deep temperature compartment
compartment of refrigerating appliance where the storage temperature is not higher than -30℃
Note: It is divided into deep temperature compartment I (with target temperature ≤ −30°C) and deep temperature compartment II (with target temperature ≤ −40°C) according to the target temperature
3.18
refrigerating appliance without star compartment
unfrozen food storage appliance
appliance with one or more compartments, all for unfrozen food storage
Note 1: Such appliance without "one-star", "two-star", "three-star", or "four-star" compartments may be named according to the type of compartment included. For example, the appliance composed of cooling compartment is called cooler, while that composed of refrigerating compartment is called refrigerator; if it is composed of multiple unfrozen food storage compartments, it may be named according to the main compartment.
Note 2: If all compartments are wine storage compartments, the appliance is classified as wine storage appliance.
3.19
refrigerating appliance with X-star compartment or deep temperature compartment
appliance having two or more compartments, at least one unfrozen food storage compartment and one frozen food storage compartment. "X-star" is the lowest temperature compartment type thereof.
Note 1: The temperature compartments of refrigerating appliance are classified into "one-star" type, "two-star" type, "three-star" type and "four-star" type; the deep temperature compartment is divided into "deep temperature compartment I" and "deep temperature compartment II".
Note 2: When the appliance has compartments of different star levels, it is named according to its lowest temperature compartment type. For example, if the appliance has "one-star" and "two-star" compartments, and the lowest temperature compartment type is "two-star", it is a refrigerating appliance with "two-star" compartment.
Note 3: For appliances with variable temperature compartment, the target temperature of variable temperature compartment is selected according to the requirements of energy consumption test, and then the appliance type is determined.
3.20
smart grid signal response function
function of signal connection between the refrigerating appliance and the power grid and interaction with the power grid for smart matching
Note: Refrigerating appliance with smart grid signal response function shall have the communication with all components (hardware and software) required to enable this function in response to energy-related commands authorized by the consumer. These components can be built-in or external, and can support open communication protocols to enable interoperability with other devices for any third party authorized by the consumer to access these functions.
4 Classification of refrigerating appliances
4.1 Refrigerating appliances are classified into motor-driven compression refrigerating appliances and semiconductor refrigerating appliances according to the refrigeration principle.
4.2 Refrigerating appliances may be divided into 10 types according to energy efficiency characteristics, as shown in Table 1.
Contents
Foreword i
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Classification of refrigerating appliances
5 Maximum allowable value of energy consumption
6 Determination method of energy efficiency grade
7 Test methods
8 Document implementation
Annex A (Normative) Test method for smart grid signal response function of refrigerating appliances
National Standard of the People’s Republic of China
GB 12021.2-2025
Replaces GB 12021.2-2015
Maximum allowable values of energy consumption and energy efficiency grade for household refrigerating appliance
(English)
Issue date: 2025-05-30 Implementation date: 2026-06-01
Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
1 Scope
This document specifies the maximum allowable values of energy consumption, and energy efficiency grade for household refrigerating appliance as well as relevant implementation requirements, and also describes the corresponding test methods.
This document is applicable to motor-driven compression household refrigerating appliance and semiconductor refrigerating appliance with a volume less than or equal to 60L (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerating appliance" for short).
This document is not applicable to refrigerating appliance designed for commercial or vehicle use.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 8059 Household and similar refrigerating appliances
QB/T 5369 Semiconductor refrigeration appliance
IEC 62552-3:2020 Household refrigerating appliances - Characteristics and test methods - Part 3: Energy consumption and volume
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 8059 and QB/T 5369 and the following apply.
3.1
built-in refrigerating appliance
fixed refrigerating appliance intended to be installed in kitchen cabinet, niche reserved in wall or similar position
Note: Fixed refrigerating appliance refers to the appliance fastened to a bracket or fixed at a specific position for use.
3.2
chest refrigerator-freezer
appliance with food put in or taken out through a top door or cover, which has at least one compartment for cold storage (slight freezing) of fresh food, and at least another freezer compartment for freezing fresh food or storing frozen food
3.3
chest freezer
freezer which food is put in or taken out from through a top door or cover
Note: For the combined type, the volume of the top-opening compartment shall not be less than 75% of the total volume.
3.4
upright freezer
freezer which food is put in or taken out from through a front door or drawer
3.5
upright-chest refrigerator-freezer
household refrigerating appliance which is divided into two parts, wherein, one part is a top-opening (chest) structure, with food put in or taken out through the top door or cover, the other part is an upright or drawer-type structure, with food put in or taken out through the front door or drawer
3.6
maximum allowable value of energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
Emax
maximum allowable value of energy consumption of household refrigerating appliance for 24h stable operation
3.7
adjusted volume
Vadj
weighted sum of volumes of different compartments of refrigerating appliance
3.8
standard value of energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
Es
actual energy consumption of household refrigerating appliance for 24h stable operation (excluding the load processing energy consumption for household refrigerating appliances)
3.9
load processing energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
ΔEprocessing
daily load processing energy consumption caused by loading
3.10
total value of energy consumption for household refrigerating appliance
Et
actual total energy consumption of household refrigerating appliance for 24h operation under the simulated use state (including the load processing energy consumption for household refrigerating appliances)
3.11
standard energy efficiency index
ηs
ratio of the standard value of energy consumption (Es) to the base energy consumption (Ebase) for household refrigerating appliance
Note: The base energy consumption, which is kept constant, is used as a baseline for product comparison.
3.12
rated standard energy efficiency index
ηrs
the manufacturer's nominal standard energy efficiency index
3.13
total energy efficiency index
ηt
ratio of the total value of energy consumption (Et) to the base energy consumption (Ebase) for household refrigerating appliances
3.14
rated total energy efficiency index
ηrt
the manufacturer's nominal total energy efficiency index
3.15
energy efficiency grade for household refrigerating appliance
grading method that indicates the difference in energy efficiency of household refrigerating appliances. It is divided into Grades: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, with Grade 1 indicating the highest energy efficiency
3.16
volume utilization rate; VUR
ratio of the volume of the refrigerating appliance to the volume calculated from the overall width, height and depth
3.17
deep temperature compartment
compartment of refrigerating appliance where the storage temperature is not higher than -30℃
Note: It is divided into deep temperature compartment I (with target temperature ≤ −30°C) and deep temperature compartment II (with target temperature ≤ −40°C) according to the target temperature
3.18
refrigerating appliance without star compartment
unfrozen food storage appliance
appliance with one or more compartments, all for unfrozen food storage
Note 1: Such appliance without "one-star", "two-star", "three-star", or "four-star" compartments may be named according to the type of compartment included. For example, the appliance composed of cooling compartment is called cooler, while that composed of refrigerating compartment is called refrigerator; if it is composed of multiple unfrozen food storage compartments, it may be named according to the main compartment.
Note 2: If all compartments are wine storage compartments, the appliance is classified as wine storage appliance.
3.19
refrigerating appliance with X-star compartment or deep temperature compartment
appliance having two or more compartments, at least one unfrozen food storage compartment and one frozen food storage compartment. "X-star" is the lowest temperature compartment type thereof.
Note 1: The temperature compartments of refrigerating appliance are classified into "one-star" type, "two-star" type, "three-star" type and "four-star" type; the deep temperature compartment is divided into "deep temperature compartment I" and "deep temperature compartment II".
Note 2: When the appliance has compartments of different star levels, it is named according to its lowest temperature compartment type. For example, if the appliance has "one-star" and "two-star" compartments, and the lowest temperature compartment type is "two-star", it is a refrigerating appliance with "two-star" compartment.
Note 3: For appliances with variable temperature compartment, the target temperature of variable temperature compartment is selected according to the requirements of energy consumption test, and then the appliance type is determined.
3.20
smart grid signal response function
function of signal connection between the refrigerating appliance and the power grid and interaction with the power grid for smart matching
Note: Refrigerating appliance with smart grid signal response function shall have the communication with all components (hardware and software) required to enable this function in response to energy-related commands authorized by the consumer. These components can be built-in or external, and can support open communication protocols to enable interoperability with other devices for any third party authorized by the consumer to access these functions.
4 Classification of refrigerating appliances
4.1 Refrigerating appliances are classified into motor-driven compression refrigerating appliances and semiconductor refrigerating appliances according to the refrigeration principle.
4.2 Refrigerating appliances may be divided into 10 types according to energy efficiency characteristics, as shown in Table 1.
Contents of GB 12021.2-2025
Contents
Foreword i
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Classification of refrigerating appliances
5 Maximum allowable value of energy consumption
6 Determination method of energy efficiency grade
7 Test methods
8 Document implementation
Annex A (Normative) Test method for smart grid signal response function of refrigerating appliances
