At the policy briefing held by the State Council Information Office on October 31, Guo Huanxin, Director-General of the Department of Metrology, State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), said that the overall conversion rate of international standards into China’s national standards has reached 86% by the end of September 2025, achieving the goal set in the National Standardization Development Outline, and providing sound support for green and low-carbon development.

SAMR has accelerated the establishment of a standards system for green and low-carbon products, which is aligned with the international market while tailored to China’s national conditions. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), it has strengthened standards development and implementation to facilitate trade, and given full play to the technical supporting role of standards in high-quality economic and social development.

First, strengthening the construction of the national standards system. In 2022, SAMR in collaboration with multiple departments released China’s first standards system for carbon peak and neutrality, providing top-level guidance for advancing the development and revision of green and low-carbon standards across various sectors.

Second, vigorously adopting international standards. In accordance with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ISO, China has revised and issued the Measures for the Adoption of International Standards, emphasizing the principles of “precision in adoption” and “efficient conversion” to accelerate the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade. Since June 1, 2025, when the Measures took effect, the international standard conversion process has been streamlined by nearly six months. In the field of carbon emission, carbon footprint and collection, China has adopted 410 relevant international standards.

Third, enhancing participation in international standardization activities. By fully leveraging bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms, China has promoted the mutual recognition and collaboration on standards in the field of carbon information disclosure and carbon emission monitoring, actively participated in the activities of the ISO Climate Change Coordination Committee and the ISO ESG Coordinating Committee (ISO/ESG CC), and contributed to the development of IEC’s Smart Energy Roadmap. Additionally, China has strengthened cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries and BRICS nations, jointly advancing the development of international standards in the green and low-carbon sector.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, in terms of green and low-carbon development, Chinese experts served as the convenors of 228 working groups, and participated in the development and revision of 342 international standards, making significant contributions to the achievement of the UN SDGs.