On May 13, 2026, a delegation led by Mr. Harold Pradal, Global Certification Director of the British Standards Institution (BSI), visited the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS). CNIS’s Vice President Ms. Lu Lili warmly welcomed the delegation and co-chaired the bilateral meeting.
Over the past two decades, BSI and CNIS have maintained active exchanges in areas such as standardization strategy, energy efficiency, and sustainable development. More recently, in March 2026, they co-hosted the Workshop of UK-China Joint Working Group on Carbon Capture and Storage (CSS) (See more details from our previous news coverage), marking a concrete step toward collaboration on green and low-carbon technologies.
Against this backdrop, the latest talks expanded the cooperation agenda into emerging and strategic fields. Discussions covered green and low-carbon transition, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation in standard-setting and certification, international standardization, compliance management, and artificial ice and snow landscapes. Both parties agreed to further focus on key areas of mutual interest, improve mechanisms for technical exchange and cooperation, and support the establishment of a full-chain collaboration model – from standard development to certification.
The talks mark a significant step forward in UK-China standardization cooperation, transitioning from long-standing framework-based exchanges to a full-chain, mechanism-driven model spanning standard development to certification. Focusing on green and low-carbon transition, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, both sides aim to close the loop between standard-setting and conformity assessment, thereby reducing technical barriers and providing regulatory support for bilateral technological and trade cooperation. This deepens two decades of collaboration and responds proactively to shared strategic priorities such as carbon neutrality and the digital economy.
China is accelerating its transition from a standards taker to a rule shaper through a full-chain model spanning standard development to certification. This systematic approach to standardization calls for Europe to reassess China’s evolving role in global standard governance. However, areas such as green and low-carbon transition—including CCS—and digitalization—covering artificial intelligence and digital trust—offer potential for China-Europe standard coordination and mutual recognition. European companies may engage in early-stage rule design by leveraging cooperation channels with institutions such as BSI.
Source: https://www.cnis.ac.cn/ynbm/gjbzhyjzx/zhxw/202605/t20260514_62915.html
