China drafts lifetime ID codes for every robot it makes, not just humanoids

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has proposed requiring every complete robot made in the country - not only humanoid robots - to carry a permanent, tamper-resistant identification code. The rule would cover industrial, service and special-purpose robots, with manufacturers assigning each code before a robot leaves the factory. Each robot would have one digital record and markings readable by people and machines. Manufacturers would register the robot, its key components and software on a ministry-supervised platform, and report codes within 20 working days. The ministry could hire an outside organization to build the platform, where users could check manufacturers’ and products’ records. For robots already shipped when the rules begin, makers would submit their own serial numbers.

The proposal is intended to create a unified identification system and help address safety risks. It comes as China’s industrial robot output grows: larger industrial companies produced 794,781 units in the first nine months of 2026, up 29.1% year over year. A similar system already assigns humanoid robots 29-character codes; more than 28,000 had been registered by May 2026. The draft applies to robots made in China and does not specify rules for imports, fees or penalties. Public comments are open until December 5, but the start date remains a placeholder, “202X.” By comparison, the European Union’s Machinery Regulation, applying from January 14, 2027, requires machinery to show at least its model or type, construction year and any batch or serial number.