GB 46028-2025 Safety Technical Requirements for Architectural Decorative Stone officially took effect on August 1, 2026. If stone products that do not comply with the new standard are selected, projects face risks such as failing acceptance inspections, required rectification by supervision bodies, and even liability in the event of safety incidents.
This article reviews the compliance risk points and countermeasures after the new standard’s implementation from three perspectives: the client, the design institute and the contractor.
Where are the “landmines” in exterior stone projects?
Landmine 1: Flexural strength below standard
The new standard requires dry-hung inorganic-based synthetic stone to have flexural strength ≥10 MPa. Some small and medium manufacturers test at only 6–8 MPa.
- Consequences of stepping on it:
- Non-compliant materials; acceptance inspection fails.
- Safety hazard: panels with insufficient flexural strength risk cracking and falling when dry-hung at height.
- Rework losses: full replacement required, causing delays and cost overruns.
- How to avoid it:
- Require suppliers to provide third-party test reports (ideally type inspection) confirming flexural strength ≥10 MPa. Look not only at “passing” but at “how much it exceeds the standard” — the larger the safety margin, the better.
Landmine 2: Frost resistance not up to standard
The new standard requires exterior dry-hung natural stone and inorganic-based synthetic stone to have a frost resistance coefficient ≥80%. Northern regions need particular attention.
- Consequences of stepping on it:
- Strength decays after freeze-thaw cycles; exterior walls crack and detach.
- Projects in northern regions must provide frost resistance test reports at acceptance; those that cannot will fail.
- How to avoid it:
- Prioritize products with a frost resistance coefficient far above 80%. TRANS HILL Eco-Stone tests at 94%, with flexural strength barely declining after freeze-thaw.
Landmine 3: Fire rating below standard
High-rise buildings and commercial complexes have strict fire rating requirements for exterior walls; Class A1 fire-rated materials should be prioritized.
- Consequences of stepping on it:
- Fire safety acceptance fails.
- Fire hazard: resin releases toxic gases at high temperature.
- How to avoid it:
- Choose Class A1 fire-rated materials. TRANS HILL Eco-Stone is Class A1 fire-rated: no smoke, no carbonization at 750°C × 30 minutes.
Three-party view: whose risk is greatest?
Client / developer perspective
- Key advice: make new-standard compliance an admission condition at the material tendering stage. Don’t wait until after award to discover non-compliance.
Design institute perspective
- Key advice: explicitly cite GB 46028-2025 in design documents, noting that flexural strength, frost resistance and other indicators must meet its requirements.
Contractor perspective
- Key advice: verify third-party test reports when materials arrive on site. Check the three items: flexural strength, frost resistance and fire rating.
Compliance self-check checklist
Check the following list item by item to confirm your material selection is compliant: pass all seven items to qualify.
Plan ahead to manage risk
The new standard is not “crying wolf” — the wolf is here. The sooner you complete the compliance self-check, the more initiative you hold. We recommend project parties start immediately: does your current material selection meet the new standard? Can your supplier provide compliant test reports? Rather than being forced into rectification at acceptance, solve the compliance problem now.
This article is compiled from the original text of GB 46028-2025 Safety Technical Requirements for Architectural Decorative Stone.