China’s Standardisation Strategy: Emergence and Contents

This article presents the origin and contents of China’s standardisation strategy “Outline for National Standardisation Development”, published on 10 October 2021. This was preceded by research since the beginning of 2018 for an action plan “China Standards 2035”. The standardisation strategy is comprehensive. Shortly after its publication, it was confirmed and further elaborated by the first-ever “14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a National Standardisation System for the Promotion of High-Quality Development”. Both the Outline and the 14th Five-Year Plan refer not only to technological standards but also—very importantly—to standards for economic and social development in urban and rural areas, as well as for green development. Both documents set specific goals for 2025, and the outline sets general goals for 2035. Structuring of processes and transparency, coordination with overall development goals and international exchange are important elements.