On July 5, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)published the full text of the Administrative Measures on the Participation in the Activities of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Conformity Assessment System (herein after referred to as “the Administrative Measures”). The document has come into effect immediately upon their issuance on June 26, 2024, replacing relevant regulations concerning the management of the IEC conformity assessment system in the Certification and Accreditation International Peer Reviewers Recommendation and Post Management Measures, Regulations on the Management of Participation in the Activities of International Organizations for Certification and Accreditation (for trial implementation), and the Certification and Accreditation International and Regional Organizations Post Management Provisions.

The key takeaways of the Administrative Measures include:

I. The establishment of a sub-technical committee within China’s IEC national committee (hereafter referred to as “the Sub-technical Committee”). According to the Administrative Measures, this committee will serve as an intermediary between CNCA and domestic stakeholders, including certification and accreditation bodies, enterprises, research institutes, and industry associations. The committee’s responsibilities, detailed in Chapter 6 of the Administrative Measures, include:

·         Voting: CNCA will seek the opinions of relevant Chinese parties through the Conformity Assessment Sub-committee.

·         Proposals: Stakeholders are encouraged to propose new projects and rules to the IEC conformity assessment system. The Sub-technical Committee will organize and demonstrate these proposals before submitting them to CNCA.

·         Research: The Sub-technical Committee will study discrepancies in national standards and report findings to CNCA.

Further details on the committee’s operations are expected in their forthcoming official announcement, including the establishment of the secretariat. 

II. Procedures for joining the IEC conformity assessment system require applicants to apply to CNCA for assessment. Only organizations and personnel that meet the eligibility criteria and pass the assessment will receive CNCA’s endorsement to join the IEC conformity assessment system.

Rights and responsibilities of conformity assessment bodies under the Administrative Measures:

·         Conduct IEC conformity assessment activities in compliance with relevant national laws, IEC conformity assessment system rules, and the The Administrative Measures’ requirements.

·         Accept CNCA’s oversight and participate in the Sub-technical Committee.

·         Regularly submit certificate issuance, evaluation acceptance, and other related information to CNCA.

·         Safeguard national interests and reputation conscientiously.

·         Actively foster and support experts participating in IEC conformity assessment working groups.

The National Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) is the hosting China’s national member body within the IEC Conformity Assessment System, oversees the management of China’s participation in this system. Presently, China hosts 77 conformity assessment bodies participating in the IEC system, with Chinese enterprises holding 86,700 IEC conformity assessment certificates, taking up of approximately 10% of the total global number.

For foreign stakeholders, the Administrative Measures emphasize compliance with IEC conformity assessment rules, reflecting China’s commitment to harmonizing with international standards. Foreign conformity assessment bodies legally operating in China are advised to monitor developments related to the Sub-technical Committee’s formation and terms of reference, as participation in its activities is mandated by the Administrative Measures.

It is also advised to be aware that, the Administrative Measures may also consider a specified regulation to support the Administrative Measures on the Participation in the Activities of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) (issued by the former General Administration of Quality Supervision and has come into force on May 1, 2015.)

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