On January 26, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China unveiled the Provisions on the Management of Participation in the Activities of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Conformity Assessment System (Draft for Comment) (hereinafter referred to as the Provisions). The public consultation period concluded on February 26, 2024. The primary objective of these provisions is to enhance the oversight of China’s involvement in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) conformity assessment system activities. The scope of management covers various entities, including the competent authority (namely, the National Certification and Accreditation Administration), certification bodies, inspection and testing bodies, as well as other relevant technical entities and personnel.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) operates four conformity assessment systems, namely the IECQ, IECEE, IECEx, and IECRE. China’s formal representation within the IECRE system in 2014 marked its comprehensive engagement in all four IEC mutual recognition conformity assessment systems. Prior to the introduction of the Provisions, management requirements for participation in IEC conformity assessment activities are scattered in multiple documents, including 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 (Trial), Certification and Accreditation International and Regional Organizations Post Management Provisions (Trial). As outlined in Article 31 of the Provisions, the relevant provisions within these documents concerning the management of IEC conformity assessment activities will be superseded upon the Provisions’ enforcement.
The Provisions consist of eight chapters, encompassing general regulations, participation in the IEC conformity assessment system, posts or part-time posts in the system, attendance at related conferences, organization of international conferences within China, voting procedures/budget requirements/notification, and supplementary articles. These regulations delineate the responsibilities of competent authorities, as well as the prerequisites for engaging in various activities, such as joining the IEC conformity assessment system, assuming roles, attending or hosting conferences, voting, making proposals, and issuing notifications. The Provisions apply to a range of stakeholders subject to their provisions.
Throughout the public consultation phase, a total of 13 comments were received. In the subsequent phase, based on the feedback received, the Provisions will undergo revisions and enhancements in accordance with procedural requirements. Subsequent actions will be undertaken to advance the relevant initiatives accordingly.
