Summary of Key Policies in China's Inspection and Testing Industry in 2024
In 2024, China's inspection and testing industry saw many changes and development opportunities at the policy level. From national-level macro guidance to detailed implementation rules in specific fields, a series of policies were introduced that not only provides a clear development direction for the industry, but also lays a solid foundation for the standardization and professional development of inspection and testing organizations. Baier Testing has become more standardized and professional under the guidance and promotion of these policies. To this end, Baier has summarized the key policies in China's inspection and testing industry in 2024 to provide reference for industry professionals.
January
Testing, Inspection and Certification was Included into the New Industrial Structure Directory
On February 1st, the Guiding Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment (2024 Edition) issued by the National Development and Reform Commission was officially implemented. Among them, standardized services, metrological testing, quality certification, and inspection and testing services have been included as encouraged industries in the technology services sector. This measure indicates that the inspection and testing industry has received strong policy support and its status has been elevated in the national industrial layout.
April
China Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) Clarifies the Filing Requirements for Carbon-Related Certification Rules
This is to thoroughly implement the major decisions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, follow the Implementation Opinions of the State Administration for Market Regulation on Coordinating the Use of Quality Certification Services for Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality (Guoshi Jian Certification [2023] No. 89), standardize the filing management of carbon-related certification rules, guide the smooth implementation of direct carbon-related certification activities, and promote the development of a carbon peaking and carbon neutrality quality certification system. These rules define the basic requirements and procedures for implementing carbon-related certification for products, management systems, services, etc. based on the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions.
May
CNAS Releases 2024 Edition of Reviewer Handbook
The China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) released the 2024 edition of the Reviewer Handbook, which provides detailed explanations on how to become an accredited reviewer, participate in reviews, maintain qualifications and promotions, as well as training activities and codes of conduct. This standardizes the development of the reviewer team and improves the quality of the review work.
Initiation of Certification and Accreditation Industry Standards Development/Amendment Projects such as the Guidelines for Digital Development of Inspection and Testing Organizations
The CNCA has announced the plan for 25 certification and accreditation industry standards, including the Guidelines for Digital Development of Inspection and Testing Organizations. The Chinese Society for Inspection and Testing will lead the drafting this standard, which aims to significantly promote the digital and intelligent transformation of inspection and testing organizations, accelerate the in-depth integration of the inspection and testing industry with the Internet of Things, big data, 5G, and artificial intelligence, and promote the high-quality development of the inspection and testing industry.
June
CNAS Releases New Version of the Accreditation Criteria for Capability Verification Providers
The CNAS has completed the revision of CNAS-CL03:2024 Accreditation Criteria for Capability Verification Providers, which is equivalent to ISO/IEC 17043:2023. It was released on June 1st and implemented on September 1st. Meanwhile, CNAS also approved the release of four relevant accreditation documents.
July
20th Central Committee's Third Plenary Session Put Forward Standards, Inspection and Testing, and Certification Requirements
The Session put forward a series of requirements in terms of standards, inspection and testing, and certification, including improving the national standard system, upgrading of traditional industries, enhancing public health inspection and testing capabilities, and building carbon emission-related systems, which provide direction for the development of the industry.
CNCA Abolishes Guo Ren Shi [2018] No. 28 Document
The CNCA announced the abolition of the Document Guo Ren Shi [2018] No. 28, which contained multiple evaluation criteria for the qualification of inspection and testing organizations. This abolition helps drive better implementation of new management measures and evaluation criteria.
August
Five Departments Jointly Issue the Comprehensive Governance Action Plan for the Inspection and Testing Field
Five departments including the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Public Security ointly issued the Comprehensive Governance Action Plan for the Inspection and Testing Field, aiming to accelerate the resolution of prominent problems in the current inspection and testing field, continuously promote the optimization and improvement of the inspection and testing market environment, and comprehensively enhance the level of inspection and testing supply and service effectiveness.
Interim Measures for the Review and Supervision of Professional Titles
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued the Interim Measures for the Review and Supervision of Professional Titles, which standardizes the professional title evaluation procedures, cracks down on violations, and formulates corresponding measures for handling violations by individuals and organizations.
Implementation of New Version of the Classification of Laboratory Accreditation Fields
In order to meet the development needs of laboratory accreditation in China, the CNAS has revised CNAS-AL06 Classification of Laboratory Accreditation Fields. The new version of the document has been officially implemented since August 1, 2024. The transition period for this document is two years, and CNAS has made arrangements for the transition period conversion work.
September
Multiple Certification, Accreditation, Inspection and Testing Measures Released by the State Administration for Market Regulation
The State Administration for Market Regulation released the Key Measures for Market Supervision Departments to Optimize the Business Environment (2024 Edition). The Key Measures aims to continuously build a market-oriented, rule of law, and international first-class business environment, focusing on the overall optimization goal, and proposing key policy measures for optimizing the business environment in the field of market supervision in the current and future periods in accordance with the requirements of both being flexible and manageable.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Encourages Enterprises to Hold CNAS-Accredited Certificates
The General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a notice on the Guidelines for Improving the Management of Industrial Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (Trial), which proposes to clarify the quality management positions and responsibilities, assign dedicated personnel to be responsible for quality inspection and assurance activities, and improve quality control capabilities through digital means such as digital testing, precise quality traceability, and quality coordination. Enterprises are encouraged to hold CNAS-accredited quality management system certificates.
November
CNCA Announces: RB/T 214 Officially Abolished
The CNCA issued its 22nd announcement of 2024, deciding to abolish 19 certification and accreditation industry standards, including the Guidelines for the Operation of Same Line, Same Standard, and Same Quality Service Platforms and RB/T214-2017 General Requirements for Qualification Accreditation Capability Evaluation of Inspection and Testing Organizations. With this, RB/T214 has now been officially abolished.
Integrate Certificate Management in Five Southwestern Provinces
To further deepen the regional coordination mechanism of inspection and testing supervision in Sichuan Province, Chongqing Municipality, Yunnan Province, Guizhou Province and Xizang Autonomous Region (the Five Southwestern Provinces), and create a fair competition, healthy and orderly business environment in the inspection and testing market, Chongqing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, on the basis of in-depth research and soliciting opinions from the market supervision bureaus of relevant provinces and autonomous regions, took the lead in drafting the Notice on Implementing Integrated Management of Qualification Accreditation Certificates of Inspection and Testing Organizations in the Five Southwestern Provinces (Draft for Comments).
December
CNAS Releases Revised Version of Accreditation Rules for Inspection Agencies
The CNAS released the revised version of CNAS-RI01:2024 Accreditation Rules for Inspection Agencies. This revision mainly changes the second paragraph of Article 10, which warns, suspends, restores, revokes and cancels accreditation, and narrows the scope of accreditation, to CNAS issuing specific activity notices such as special supervision and complaint investigation to inspection agencies, or initiating disposal procedures for the accreditation capacity and/or accreditation qualifications of inspection agencies. During the period of completion of the above activities, the acceptance of applications for changes, suspensions and cancellations of accreditation qualifications of inspection agencies will be suspended. Article 11.2.2.6 states that inspection agencies have the obligation to consciously comply with relevant laws and regulations. This document was officially implemented on December 1, 2024.
Inclusion of Discipline in Professional Catalog
In December 2024, the Ministry of Education updated and released the Catalogue of Vocational Education Majors, in which the major of Inspection and Testing Technology and Management was added as a higher vocational education discipline. The major falls under the category of Public Management and Services, with the specific discipline being Public Management, and it has been assigned the code 590211. This marks new progress in the development of the inspection and testing discipline.