The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Civil Affairs jointly issued two mandatory national standards for elderly care services

China News Service, Beijing, September 4. On the 4th, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Civil Affairs held a special press conference in Beijing to introduce the work related to the mandatory national standards for elderly care services.

The State Administration for Market Regulation (National Standards Administration) recently approved the release of two mandatory national standards, the "Basic Specifications for Elderly Care Institutions" (GB48013-2026) and the "Criteria for Determining Major Accident Hazards in Elderly Care Institutions" (GB48014-2026). Each of the two standards has its own emphasis, with one governing “basic norms” and the other governing “major hidden dangers.”

Wang Yuhuan, deputy director of the Standards and Technology Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation, introduced at the meeting that the "Basic Specifications for Elderly Care Institutions" draws a bottom line on the safety and service quality that elderly care institutions should have throughout the entire cycle from establishment, operation to exit. The standard systematically puts forward 90 specific requirements in seven aspects, including site selection and construction, facilities and equipment, admission and discharge management, basic services, safety management, operation management, evaluation and improvement of nursing homes, and draws a clear "bottom line" for the compliance operations of nursing homes. It is clear at a glance what must be done and to what extent.

The "Guidelines for Determination of Major Accident Hazards in Nursing Homes" are based on summarizing the safety management experience of nursing homes across the country, and clarify the procedures for determining major accident hazards in nursing homes. Focusing on the degree of accident hazards, the "Guidelines for the Determination of Major Accident Hazards in Nursing Homes" are divided into three types of determination rules: 25 direct judgment factors, 28 comprehensive judgment factors and 2 types of exclusion situations. This set of rules is both scientific and practical, helping front-line managers to quickly "check in" and accurately identify risks. They no longer rely on experience to "slap their heads" and have "iron rules" for troubleshooting hidden dangers.

Wang Yuhuan said that the introduction of the two mandatory standards will guide the majority of elderly care service institutions to focus on safety elements and key links in operations and services, continue to improve their own safety assurance levels and risk prevention capabilities, shoulder safety responsibilities, and focus on service quality in the details, so that the elderly can live with peace of mind, their families can trust their trust, and the society can feel comfortable. At the same time, it also provides a "ruler" for industry management departments and front-line managers to allow early detection, early warning, and early correction of risks, so as to build a solid safety defense line.