The 2025 Annual EU-China Standardization Roundtable and Appreciation Event, hosted by the Seconded European Standardization Expert in China (SESEC) Project, successfully took place on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in Beijing. The event marked another milestone in promoting EU-China standardization communication and mutual understanding, with approximately 100 attendees from key European and Chinese organizations.
The event featured a special address by Ms. Matilde Cenacchi, Policy Officer in the Trade Section of the EU Delegation to China, who provided an update on standardization efforts in Europe. In her remarks, she offered an overview of current challenges in Europe and globally and stressed that in dealing with global issues, standards should be part of the solution, not part of the problem. She insisted that international standards offer the best avenue for cooperation, also for the EU and China, while stressing the need for a level playing field to achieve balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade and economic relations.
Key stakeholders from influential organizations such as the EU Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC), GIZ, and Cartena-X shared valuable insights into Chinese and European standardization practices. Representatives from the embassies of Germany, France, and the Netherlands alongside leading EU-invested companies like Siemens, Schneider, LEGO, and IKEA, enriched the discussions with their perspectives and experiences.
On the Chinese side, the event witnessed active participation from officials representing the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA), the National Railway Administration (NRA), researchers from renowned institutes such as China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS), China Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI), Instrumentation Technology and Economy Institute (ITEI), and China Communications Standards Association (CCSA), and representatives from standardization techncial committees like TC260 (Cybersecurity), TC28 (Information Technology), TC609 (Data), TC124 (Industrial Process Measurement and Control), and TC112 (Personal Protection Equipment). These experts highlighted significant advancements in Chinese standardization, particularly in pioneering fields like data and Standard Essential Patents (SEPs).
By organizing event like this one, SESEC project offered a vital platform for fostering deeper communication and collaboration between China and the EU standardization communities, emphasizing the shared goal of harmonizing standards in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Attendees engaged in discussions that focused on identifying opportunities for mutual benefit, addressing challenges, and reinforcing a commitment to international cooperation.
The communications between China and EU side on this event also reaffirmed the importance of dialogue in bridging regulatory and technical divides, contributing to a stronger foundation for EU-China cooperation. Its success underscores the SESEC Project’s pivotal role in advancing mutual understanding and promoting collaborative progress in standardization.
