The State Council released a circular to lay out the responsibilities of different departments, in an effort to push forward standardization reform, particularly key tasks in the second phase of the reform (2017-2018).

The circular urged efforts to establish a unified and compulsory national standard system, and accelerate building a recommended standard system.

Meanwhile, more efforts should be made to develop group standards and ease regulations on enterprise standards.

According to the circular, related departments should promote integration of civil and military standards, improve scientific management of standards, speed up legislation, and enhance talent training, to raise the international influence of Chinese standards.

The Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Standardization Administration of China, Ministry of Civil Affairs, State Administration of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and other related departments should undertake their respective responsibility in the reform, stated the circular.