Project Achievements
Since its launch in May 2006, the SESEC project has achieved enhanced visibility of European standardization, increased cooperation between European and Chinese standardization bodies, and continued support to European industry facing standardization related issues hampering market access to China.. Confidence building via daily contacts, fostering alignment of position at international level, and promoting mutual understanding of Europe’s and China’s standardization and conformity assessment systems have led to an broadened access to markets and a facilitated Regulatory Dialogue between the Commission Services and China.
EU-China cooperation
With the ever increasing bilateral trade between EU and China and the acknowledgment of the importance of standards, EU-China cooperation in standardization has been developing over the recent years and has become more pragmatic and diverse. In 2009, CEN/CENELEC/ETSI and the Standardization Administration of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to promote mutual understanding of the developments of standards in Europe and China and to strengthen the exchange of information on standards that may impact trade.
Reports and Presentations
The SESEC is actively identifying and reporting on the ‘’hot topics’’ in Chinese standardization, on which he produces concise and analytical reports. Those reports are available here, along with various presentations made by SESEC on current standardization trends in China - Smart Grids, Energy Saving standards and more.
EU/EFTA Standardization Information Platform (CESIP)
The Europe-China Standardization Information Platform, launched in October 2009, is a practical information tool that aims at strengthening the mutual trade and investment flow between Europe and China by making standards and related technical regulations more accessible. The Platform is a website where Chinese and European companies can find information in English and Chinese about current and upcoming standards applicable to their products when intended for export to China or Europe. Currently the Platform covers four sectors: 1) electrical equipment, 2) medical devices, 3) machinery and 4) environmental protection. The platform is accessible at http://www.eu-china-standards.eu/
Project objectives
The SESEC’s mission is to enhance the visibility of European standardization activities, increase the cooperation between Chinese and European standardization bodies and support European companies facing standardization related issues hampering market access to China. The project also supports China in standardization related aspects of its integration in the WTO trading system, by identifying all potential opportunities for enhanced international cooperation and global harmonization of standards. Ultimately, the SESEC project aims at reducing the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) both between EU and China and globally, thus supporting European and Chinese industries by facilitating international trade.
