[Zheshang Light Industry Shi Fanke] New Tobacco: HNB National Standard Enters Substantive Rule Stage, Domestic Market Launch Expectations Strengthened

English summary

# HNB national standard moves from project initiation to substantive rule stage. On July 28, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration officially released the draft mandatory national standard for "Heated Cigarettes" for comments, feedback deadline September 26, standard expected to be implemented 6 months after official release. Compared with only project initiation in April, this complete draft for the first time clarifies specific requirements for tobacco rods, devices, and aerosols, meaning domestic HNB regulatory framework further takes shape, providing clear technical basis for subsequent product access and market pilots. # Multiple technical routes compatible, tobacco matrix boundaries clear. The draft covers center heating, perimeter heating, and built-in heating elements in rods, and clarifies that tobacco matrix must be made from tobacco leaves, re-dried tobacco leaves, reconstituted tobacco leaves, or cut tobacco; herbal pods are not included in heated cigarette scope. Domestic HNB will still revolve around China Tobacco system and tobacco material supply chain, beneficial to suppliers with China Tobacco customer resources, full-series product capabilities, and first-mover validation advantages. ...