Revised Measures for the Administration of Industry Standards to Take Effect on June 1

The revised Measures for the Administration of Industry Standards (hereinafter referred to as the Measures) was issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation in November 2023 and shall come into force on June 1.
The Measures further standardize the formulation, implementation and supervision of industry standards, and clarify four circumstances under which industry standards shall not be formulated: where national recommended standards are available; technical requirements for general products and services; cross-departmental and cross-industry technical requirements; internal work requirements and management specifications for administrative competent authorities. Meanwhile, to facilitate the development of a unified national market, accelerate the establishment of market systems and rules, and promote the unimpeded flow of commodities, factors and resources on a broader scale, the Measures specify that industry standards shall not stipulate matters such as qualifications, permits and certifications, examination and approval registration, evaluation and recognition, supervision subjects and responsibilities, nor shall industry standards be used to conduct acts that hinder the free circulation of commodities and services, eliminating or restricting market competition.After the promulgation and implementation of the Measures, the administration of industry standards will be further strengthened, a more effective working mechanism will be formed, the promotion and implementation of industry standards will be boosted, and the construction of a high-quality national standard system will be better supported.

Restricted Use of Non-Legal Measurement Units

The Measures for the Administration of Restricted Use of Non-Legal Measurement Units shall be officially implemented on June 1. The Measures stipulate that China implements a system of legal measurement units, and the SI units and other measurement units selected by the state are national legal measurement units. All entities and individuals shall correctly use measurement units in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, mandatory standards and metrological technical specifications. Non-legal measurement units explicitly prohibited by the state shall not be used, and other non-legal measurement units shall be restricted in use.

The First Mandatory National Standard for Express Packaging

The State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China) has issued the mandatory national standard Limits of Heavy Metals and Specific Substances in Express Packaging and the recommended national standard Recyclable Express Packaging Boxes, both to be implemented on June 1.Limits of Heavy Metals and Specific Substances in Express Packaging is the first mandatory national standard governing express packaging. It sets out total limit requirements and individual limit requirements for heavy metals including lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium for paper, plastic, textile fiber and composite express packaging products respectively.The national standard Recyclable Express Packaging Boxes defines three structures of recyclable express boxes: nested, foldable and combined types; puts forward strength requirements for resin-based and plant-based box boards, as well as technical specifications and test methods for overall physical performance, dimensions and tolerances, environmental protection of boxes; and offers recommendations on the recycling times and labels of recyclable express packaging boxes.

Improved Anti-Cheating and Anti-Tampering Performance of Fuel Dispensers for Motor Vehicles

The national standard Fuel Dispensers for Motor Vehicles will be officially implemented on June 1. The standard effectively enhances the anti-cheating and anti-tampering capabilities of fuel dispensers, realizes identity identification and traceability of key components throughout their full life cycle, compares metering data of single refueling in real time, adopts technologies such as customized chips and ciphertext data transmission, and locks fuel dispensers upon abnormal refueling volume to prevent metering fraud of fuel dispensers.

National Standard Flag of the Young Pioneers of China Officially Implemented on June 1

The national standard Flag of the Young Pioneers of China (GB/T 43600—2023) shall be officially implemented on June 1, 2024. Approved and issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China), this standard was compiled by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, the National Working Committee of the Young Pioneers and relevant institutions.The flag of the Young Pioneers of China is a red flag printed with a five-pointed star and a torch. The five-pointed star stands for the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the torch symbolizes brightness, and the red flag symbolizes revolutionary victory. As the symbol of the Young Pioneers organization, the flag bears important political implications. The national standard Flag of the Young Pioneers of China specifies clear requirements for flag quality, test methods, inspection rules, packaging, storage, transportation and marking, and puts forward detailed and specific indicators covering flag pattern, color fastness, specifications and dimensional tolerances, color and color difference, sewing, and surface appearance of the flag.In recent years, to strengthen the standardized use, administration and protection of Young Pioneers symbols and identifiers including the flag, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the National Working Committee of the Young Pioneers have issued Basic Norms on Symbols and Etiquette of the Young Pioneers of China, Administrative Provisions on the Use of Red Scarves, Flags, Emblems, Committee (Captain) Badges and Anthems of the Young Pioneers of China, Trial Specifications for the Admission Ceremony of the Young Pioneers of China, and jointly issued multiple documents including the Circular on Strengthening the Standardization and Protection of Young Pioneers Symbols such as Red Scarves together with the State Administration for Market Regulation and other relevant departments, tightening requirements for red scarves, flags, emblems and other Young Pioneers symbols from the perspectives of institutional norms, working mechanisms and technical standards. Among them, the revised national standard Red Scarves was officially implemented on November 1, 2022, and the drafting of the national standard Emblem of the Young Pioneers of China has been initiated.The official implementation of the national standard Flag of the Young Pioneers of China will effectively standardize the appearance, specifications, dimensions, colors and other attributes of the flag, provide clear production basis for manufacturers and strong technical support for market supervision. Meanwhile, it will further safeguard the solemnity of the flag, play a positive role in highlighting the solemn political connotation of Young Pioneers symbols and identifiers, maintaining the image of the Young Pioneers organization, and enhancing the sense of honor of Young Pioneers members.