Source: National Development and Reform Commission

Compiled by: Anthony Wang

On 19 November 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’s Republic of China issued the Credit Repair Measures (Order No. 36). The Measures will take effect on 1 April 2026.

The key regulatory points of the Credit Repair Measures are summarized below.

I. Legal Positioning and Scope of Application

The Measures expressly recognize credit repair as a statutory right. Except where laws or State Council policies explicitly provide otherwise, eligible entities or individuals may apply for credit repair.

The legal effects of credit repair include:

• termination of public disclosure of negative credit information;

• cessation of the sharing and use of such information; and

• simultaneous removal of associated credit-related disciplinary measures.

The Measures apply to the National Credit Information Sharing Platform, the “Credit China” website, and local credit platforms. Industry-specific credit systems may implement credit repair by reference to these Measures.

II. Classification of Negative Credit Information and Periods of Public Disclosure

Negative credit information is categorized into three tiers based on the severity of the underlying non-compliance: minor, general and serious. Different periods of public disclosure apply to each category. 

As a general rule:

• information relating to minor non-compliance is not subject to public disclosure;

• information relating to general non-compliance is subject to a public disclosure period of three months to one year;

• and information relating to serious non-compliance is subject to a public disclosure period of one to three years.

Credit repair may be applied for only after the minimum disclosure period has elapsed and all relevant obligations have been fulfilled.

Upon expiration of the maximum disclosure period, the relevant information is automatically removed from public disclosure.

III. Application Conditions and Procedural Framework

Credit repair applications are submitted centrally through the “Credit China” website, under the principle of “the authority that made the determination is responsible for the repair.”

Key eligibility requirements include:

• expiration of the minimum disclosure period;

• correction of the non-compliant conduct;

• full performance of statutory obligations; and

• submission of a formal credit commitment.

The Measures set out clear time limits for acceptance, review, decision-making and feedback, and provide for a highly standardized and fully online process.

IV. Objection and Review Mechanisms

Applicants may file objections against decisions not to accept an application, refusals to grant credit repair, or the content or duration of public disclosure.

Administrative reconsideration or litigation does not suspend public disclosure.

Where an administrative penalty is revoked or amended by an effective decision, the relevant credit information must be promptly corrected.

V. Coordination with Bankruptcy Restructuring Proceedings

During bankruptcy restructuring or reconciliation proceedings, eligible entities may apply for temporary shielding of negative credit information and temporary lifting of restrictive measures to facilitate the restructuring process.

If the restructuring fails, public disclosure is reinstated.

Upon successful completion of restructuring, formal credit repair may be applied for in accordance with law.

VI. Data Synchronization and Third-Party Obligations

Credit repair outcomes must be timely synchronized across national and local credit platforms and third-party credit service providers.

Third-party institutions that fail to update information in a timely manner may be subject to suspension of data sharing and regulatory accountability.

VII. Supervision and Legal Liability

Submission of false materials or false credit commitments is strictly prohibited. Such conduct will result in an additional three-year public disclosure, which may not be terminated early, and serious cases may trigger criminal liability.

Credit repair services must be provided free of charge. Any unauthorized fees are subject to legal accountability.

VIII. Effective Date and Regulatory Transition

The Measures will take effect on 1 April 2026.

The 2023 trial version of the credit repair rules will be repealed simultaneously.