A Comparison of the Standardization Systems in the EU and in China and the Role of SESEC

The contribution explains essential differences between the Chinese and the European standardization systems. Concerning the concept of standards, China provides for a larger scope with five different kinds of standards and the division between a government-led and a market-driven sector of standards. While Chinese mandatory national and sector standards are similar with European technical requirements, European standards and national standards of member states could be approximated to China’s voluntary national and local standards. Further differences are highlighted concerning the role and functions of standards, standards development organizations, the operation of the standardization system as well as the participation in international standardization. The contribution concludes with a short presentation of the Seconded European Standardization Expert for China (SESEC) project launched in 2006 and operated by CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, and other European institutions to raise awareness on the European Standardization System in China.