On the afternoon of July 8, the first Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Standardization Cooperation Conference, jointly initiated by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology of Russia (Rosstandart), was held in Qingdao, Shandong Province.
Mr. Deng Zhiyong, Vice Minister of SAMR, and Administrator of the National Standardization Administration (SAC), attended the meeting and delivered a speech. The conference brought together over 40 representatives from countries including Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
The event advanced discussions on establishing an SCO standardization cooperation mechanism, deepening standardization collaboration in priority sectors, building a standardization information platform, and strengthening standardization capacity building.
During the conference, the Qingdao Initiative on Strengthening Standardization Cooperation Among SCO National Standardization Bodies was formally adopted, officially launching the SCO Standardization Cooperation Mechanism. Five cooperation components were agreed upon during the meeting:
- Technical Standards Working Groups
- Task forces will be deployed in key sectors, including artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy, green energy, digital economy, transportation, and logistics.
- Standardization Information Platform
- A shared platform will be developed to facilitate information exchange among standardization bodies.
- Capacity Building
- Member states will receive support in strengthening standard-setting capabilities and aligning national standards to reduce technical trade barriers.
- Alignment of Standards
- Harmonizing technical standards across the SCO will facilitate smoother trade, reduce barriers, and enhance regional economic integration.
- Global Standard-Setting Influence
- Coordinated efforts aim to amplify SCO members’ collective influence in international standardization fora and promote a more balanced global economic order.
According to the Department of Standards Innovation and Management of SAC (under SAMR), this is the first standardization cooperation mechanism under the SCO framework, and the first standardization cooperation initiative of its kind among member states. Several drivers underpin the launch of this mechanism:
- Mutual Strategic Interests
The mechanism reflects the intensifying Sino-Russian coordination in economic, technological and institutional domains under the SCO framework. - Redressing Western-Dominated Norms
By collectively harmonizing standards, SCO members seek to reduce reliance on Western-dominated global institutions and establish autonomy in emerging sectors such as AI and low-altitude economy. - Economic Integration & Trade Facilitation
Standard alignment is intended to lower non-tariff barriers and improve trade efficiency within the SCO, particularly relevant amid global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions. - Institutionalizing SCO’s Role
SCO began as a regional bloc aimed at strengthening security through shared practices and joint efforts. This initiative extends the SCO’s scope beyond security into structured economic governance, strengthening its profile as a significant regional bloc.
It is recommended by SESEC that the European Stakeholders should keep following the activities of this SCO standardization cooperation to analyze the impact. SESEC will continue to report the updates and developments of this topic.
Source: https://www.sac.gov.cn/xw/bzhyw/art/2025/art_eeb0065906b548439a15da781e4249e9.html
