To boost supply-side structural reform and administrative streamlining, China is stepping up efforts to boost quality by enhancing the quality certification system and quality management, according to a circular recently released by the State Council.

As a basic principle, a unified and top-level plan is required, with no possibility for industry monopoly or market barriers. The market should play a decisive role in supply and demand with governmental guidance.

Meanwhile, compulsory and voluntary certification should be combined to call up efforts from all walks of life to enhance quality management.

These efforts are aimed at building a sound quality certification system in three to five years, with improved quality in primary products, projects, services, consumer goods and food, and some internally competitive brands.

International advanced quality management standards will be adopted, such as the new ISO 9001. Companies should be encouraged to enhance quality management using these standards, which are to be introduced throughout the industry and social governance.

Governments at all levels are expected to employ the quality management system to transform their management styles with better administration efficiency and credibility.

Efforts will be made to spread the quality certification system to different enterprises with necessary and compulsory certification in place for products concerning security, health, and environment under the rules of the World Trade Organization.

The quality of new technologies, products and business models should be supervised in an inclusive but prudent way in order to foster new economic drivers and bolster industrial transformation.

Apart from the unified certification system, other redundant certifications and related charges should be cleaned up. Certification institutions should provide an integrated solution from test to certification, to lower costs for enterprises.

Moreover, a supervision system involving different parties will be enhanced, and international cooperation is encouraged for mutual recognition of quality certification.