The State Council issued a notice on June 28 urging its departments and local governments to abolish unnecessary certificates by the end of 2018.

The regulations and documents that endorse unnecessary certificates should also be amended or abolished.

State Council departments are asked to submit advice on each certification item to be canceled or retained to the Ministry of Justice by the end of September.

Local governments are also asked to submit advice on each certification item to be canceled or retained in the area under their jurisdiction to the Ministry of Justice by the end of September.

The certificates set up by local governments should all be abolished, unless endorsed by local administrative regulations.

The Ministry of Justice should lead the work and review the advice, ensuring that unnecessary certificates can be canceled by the end of this year, according to the notice.

For necessary certificates, a list of their legal bases, the issuing departments and the process guidance should be published. Certificates beyond the list should not be requested.

The notice also urged State Council departments and local governments to take this opportunity to transform administration, regulate behavior and improve services.