China
China Association for Standardization (CAS)
1.Overview of Chinese Standardization
1.1 Structure of management
The Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China (SAC) is a governmental agency under the State Council, established in April 2001. Its main functions are to carry out integral management, supervision and overall coordination of standardization works in China.
China began to set up national professional technical committees of standardization from 1979 in order to promote the development of standardization: bring the role of technicians and experts in standardization into full play in the areas of manufacture, application, research and education; accelerate the speed of developing and revising national and professional standards; and improve technical levels of standards. There are around 264 professional technical committees of standardization, and over 300 sub-technical committees in China. More than 26'000 technical and administrative staff have been employed to take part in the development of standards.
1.2 Development of Regulations and Laws on Standardization
In 1988, the 7th Standing Committee of the People's Congress promulgated the Law on Standardization of the People's Republic of China, which demonstrated that the work of standardization in the country started to enter into the normal legal framework. In 1990, the State Council issued Implementation Regulations for the Law on Standardization of the People's Republic of China. Since then, several dozens of laws and regulations have been promulgated such as Administrative Regulations for Product Quality Certification of the People's Republic of China, and Administrative Methods of National Standards. The development of these laws and regulations contributed to the gradual improvement in the development of standardization laws and offered a sound regulative basis for the management of the work of standardization in accordance with laws.
1.3 System of China Standards
Chinese standards are divided into National, Professional, Local and Enterprise Standards.
National Standards are developed for technical requirements to be unified nation-wide.
Professional Standards may be developed for which no National Standards are available but unified technical requirements are needed in a certain professional field throughout the country.
Local Standards may be developed for which neither National nor Professional Standards are available, but unified technical requirements for safety and hygiene of industrial product are needed within a local area.
Enterprise Standards may be developed within an enterprise when National Standards, Professional Standards and Local Standards aren't available. However, an enterprise is encouraged to adopt National, Professional and Local Standards if they are available.
At present, China has 20'206 national standards. Of these, 8'931 are adoptions of international standards, occupying 44.2% of the total amount. There are also over 34'300 professional standards and over 12'580 local standards.
1.4 The procedure of developing standards
Establishment of the Program of Standards Development
Development of the Draft Standard
Asking for Comments on the Draft Standard
Review of the Draft Standard
Approval of the Final Draft Standard (FDS)
1.5 International exchange and cooperation
To participate actively in international activities on standardization is an important task in the work of standardization in China. Along with the furthering of the policy of opening to the outside world, China is enlarging its participation in international activities and the work of exchanging information on standardization with other countries.
On behalf of China, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) has joined 12 international and regional standardization organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on September 1st 1978; and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 1957. Since 1988, China participates in ISO activities as a member of the ISO Council and Technical Management Board; and IEC activities through the IEC Committee of Action and Council Board. SAC currently is P-member of 145 technical committees and O-member of 356 subcommittees of ISO; and P-member of 89 technical committees and 88 subcommittees of IEC. Up to now, China has hosted one ISO technical committee secretariat , 5 secretariats of ISO subcommittees and two secretariats for IEC technical committees. At present, SAC has established cooperation relationships with 52 countries in the standardization field.
SAC is a member of several ISO policy development committees such as DEVCO, CASCO and COPOLCO. Currently, it is also a P-member of such international or regional organizations as PASC, APEC, IAF, OLMI, BIPM, and IMEKO.
2. Overview of the China Association for Standardization
2.1 Mission
The China Association for Standardization (CAS) is to act as a bridge linking nationwide specialists in standardization with user groups. To meet the needs of government, society, market and enterprise, CAS endeavors to disseminate and popularize standardization knowledge, organize academic forums and seminars concerned with standardization, provide technical consultation on standardization, promote cooperation and exchanges with international and other standardization organizations around the world and contribute greatly to Chinese standardization.
2.2 Structure
CAS, since its foundation in 1978, is a public society of standardization. It is a significant member of the China Association for Science & Technology and is led by the Standardization Administration of China. The routine executive body is the secretariat, which is composed of an Executive Office, Editorial & Publishing Department, Technology Department, Reference Materials Department, Education & Training Department, the China Technical Consultation Center for Standardization and some other units.
With over 20 years of development, CAS includes more than 448 individual members and 172 institutional members.
2.3 Activities
CAS has 7 professional branches for standardization.
4 secretariats work for national technology committees such as National Lightning Protection (that mirrors IEC/TC81), National Reference Materials (that mirrors ISO-REMCO), National Anti-counterfeiting standardization, etc.
It administers 6 working groups such as the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for products, etc.
Organizes academic and technological exchanges and seminars on standardization according to trends in the development of national and international standardization activities.
Develops and provides the most demanded Reference Materials for markets.
Carries out research, implementation and training related to the standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
Organizes education and promotes implementation of national strategic technology standards, general standards and product standards.
Promotes the laws and regulations on standardization taking into account national economic development and guidance of relevant authorities under the State Council;
Carries out general and special technical training to standardization personnel in various ways.
2.4 "China Standardization" magazine
The "China Standardization" magazine, that was launched in 1958, is sponsored by CAS. It is an academic publication authorized at national level in the area of standardization. "China Standardization" is the official source of information on registered Newly Approved National Standards of China National, Industry and Local Standards. "China Standardization" is published in English since Jan. 1st, 2004, to facilitate the exchange of international information. It is provided regularly to the ISO, IEC, ITU and other international organizations.
2.5 International exchange and cooperation
A regular system for the international exchange of information on standardization has been established between CAS, JSA and KSA. There are many activities every year, such as the Second Seminar on Standardization Cooperation in Northeast Asia, hosted by CAS, that was successfully held on Oct. 30-31, 2003, in Beijing, China. The First Asian Lightning Protection Forum, held on Oct. 28-29, 2003, in Beijing, was also sponsored by CAS.
CAS has maintained good cooperation with DIN and ASTM. In October 2003, a delegation from CAS visited the ASTM International Headquarters.
2.6 Information network
CAS has established a China Standardization Information Net(www.china-cas.org). On this Web site, contents include an introduction to activities of CAS and some foreign associations for standardization; the announcement of new Chinese and international standards; information on standardization policies and regulations ; the adoption of international standards; enterprise activities on standardization; product quality certification; standardization training and activities of professional technical committees of standardization.
Conclusion
Along with China' s entry into the WTO and the trend of global economic integration and with the help of IFAN, CAS wishes to communicate with international, regional and national standards organizations or users, in order that we may learn from one another and make our mutual contribution to the brighter future of world standardization.