A joint action plan aimed at accelerating growth in the smart home appliance sector has been officially released by eight central government departments.
The plan, formulated 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, is designed to expand high-quality supply and meet diverse consumer demands.
It outlines a blueprint for cultivating a full digital home industry chain and enriching smart living scenarios, while also supporting the retrofitting and intelligent upgrading of older residential properties. The initiative is a key step in implementing national strategies to spur domestic consumption and enhance living standards.
Enhancing Product Supply and Standards
A significant portion of the plan focuses on boosting the supply of premium smart home products. Producers are being encouraged to intensify research and development, with support for furniture malls and shopping centers to establish smart home experience zones alongside full-house and digital residence model rooms. The plan also promotes the growth of large, reputable decoration firms and platforms that offer personalized and diverse renovation packages, emphasizing customized and on-demand services. Furthermore, it aims to accelerate the creation of smart home hardware, software, and integrated solutions based on domestic open-source operating systems.
To support this growth, a comprehensive set of standards will be developed. This includes a detailed rating and evaluation system for product intelligence, along with the fast-tracking of mandatory national standards for device interoperability. The goal is to foster the integrated development of whole-home intelligence. The plan also calls on telecom operators to enable IPv6 on home broadband by default to improve connectivity, requires basic smart products in new fully-furnished residences, and encourages the installation of fiber optics within homes. Ongoing efforts will also continue on standards for smart homes and communities.
Stimulating Demand and Retirement Living
The plan directly addresses consumer spending by supporting local governments in determining product categories and subsidy levels for smart home trade-ins, in line with the 2026 national policy for upgrading consumer goods. This support will also be extended to the purchase of new whole-home smart systems.
A dedicated focus is being placed on the development of smart home solutions for the elderly. This includes promoting products such as home service robots, health monitors, and intelligent care devices. Manufacturers are being guided to adopt age-friendly designs in terms of product size, usability, dialect recognition, and safety, thereby enriching the range of available options and renovation services. A certification program for these senior-friendly products will also be introduced.
Services, Recycling, and Financial Support
To streamline the replacement process, the plan instructs local authorities to establish a scientifically planned network of recycling points for old home furnishings, complete with land-use and spatial support. Collaboration between furniture companies and recyclers is encouraged to offer convenient services like "delivery of new, pickup of old" and "Internet plus recycling," as well as mobile collection models.
Community-level convenience will be enhanced through the "one-hour convenient living circle" initiative. Leading enterprises will be leveraged to set up comprehensive home renovation service stations in qualified neighborhoods, integrating repair, storage, and trade-in services while also creating spaces to experience smart home technology.
Finally, financial institutions are being urged to develop a diverse array of consumer finance products tailored to home decoration needs. The plan also highlights the use of fiscal interest subsidy policies for personal consumer loans to steer more credit towards smart home purchases, making it easier for consumers to acquire these products.