A new action plan aimed at stimulating consumption in the smart home sector has been jointly released by eight government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce. The initiative is designed to implement central government policies and meet the requirements outlined in the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes enriching smart home scenarios and supporting the renovation of older residences for improved accessibility and intelligent upgrades.
The plan focuses on expanding the supply of high-quality smart home products. Authorities will encourage manufacturers to intensify research and development while supporting home furnishing malls and shopping centers in establishing experience zones and model rooms for whole-home intelligence. Efforts will also be directed toward cultivating large, reputable home improvement companies and platforms to offer more personalized and diverse renovation packages.
A key priority is the establishment of a more comprehensive smart home standards system. This includes developing evaluation standards for product intelligence levels and accelerating the implementation of mandatory national standards for device interoperability. The plan also calls for default activation of IPv6 on home broadband network equipment and setting requirements for basic smart products in newly decorated residences.
To directly support consumer spending, local governments are encouraged to determine appropriate subsidy categories and standards for smart home products in line with the 2026 trade-in policy framework. Additionally, there is a strong push to develop elderly-friendly smart home solutions, including home service robots and health monitoring devices, with certification programs for senior-focused products.
The initiative also addresses the need for a more efficient recycling service chain. Local authorities will be guided in establishing collection points for used home furnishings, supported by land use and spatial planning. Companies are encouraged to adopt models such as "delivery of new plus collection of old" and internet-based recycling services.
Community-level convenience will be enhanced through the creation of comprehensive home renewal service stations in eligible neighborhoods. These stations will integrate repair, maintenance, storage, and replacement services while featuring whole-home smart experience spaces. The plan concludes with measures to strengthen financial and fiscal support, urging financial institutions to develop diverse consumer finance products and utilize personal consumption loan interest subsidy policies to facilitate smart home purchases.
The action plan was jointly issued on September 2, 2026, by the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the State Administration for Market Regulation.