Standardization in China’s Building Energy Efficiency Industry: The Development of a National Standard for Passive Houses in China

Standardization in China’s building energy efficiency market is one example for how China is building up its standardization capacities and processes. The paper analyses how stakeholders of the corporate sector, industry associations and research institutes as well as government bureaus participate in the development of a national standard for passive houses in China. The analysis of their interests and activities gives insights into the creation of such a standard and about the role of expert advice for regulating technical complex topics. Information widely drawn from field research until 2015 shows the functioning and interplay of the various actors and examines the viability and challenges of the Chinese standardization process for passive houses. Though intimately focussing on a niche of China’s economy, it offers insights on China’s standardization approach in general.