[2025: Ten Questions and Answers] The entire process from formulation to implementation of group standards
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This post was last edited by zhoudingshengs on 2025-6-20 06:49. Group standards – the “standardization engine” that drives market innovation. As an important outcome of market-driven standardization reforms, group standards are becoming the core mechanism for enterprise technological innovation, industrial collaboration, and market competition. 1. How are group standards published? What are the requirements regarding channels, scope, and procedures? The issuance of group standards must adhere to the principles of \"openness and transparency\" as well as \"standardized procedures\": Regarding the channels for publication, in addition to being displayed on the \"National Group Standards Information Platform\", they must also be issued in the form of official documents through the websites of social organizations or official media, to ensure accessibility to the public. Distribution scope: It should cover at least the members of the group, with openness to the public being encouraged in order to enhance the impact of the standards. Content to be published: Must include the standard name, number, and core technical details ； In cases involving patents, patent information must be disclosed to ensure technical transparency. Publication procedure: Social organizations establish their own processes, which usually include steps such as project initiation, drafting, seeking feedback, review, approval, and publication, to ensure full participation by stakeholders.
This post was last edited by zhoudingshengs on 2025-6-20 08:17. 2. Can group standards be transformed into **standards or industry standards? Compliant group standards can be converted in accordance with the law: Policy basis: The \"Provisions on the Management of Group Standards (Trial)\」state that group standards with good implementation results and those that meet the requirements for formulating **/ industry/ local standards can have their issuing entities apply for conversion. Path to conversion: Priority is given to encouraging the conversion of group standards that are technologically advanced and widely used into **standards. For example, the autonomous driving group standards developed by the Zhongguancun Intelligent Connected Vehicles Industry Alliance have been partially included in the **standard development plan.
3. Which basic **standards can be referred to when drafting group standards? When compiling, standardized general rules must be followed; the key references include: Structure and drafting: GB/T 1.1-2020 \"Guidelines for standardization work – Part 1: Structure and drafting of standards\", which regulates the standard framework, term definitions, and wording of provisions. Basic methods: The GB/T 20000 series of \"Guidelines for Standardization Work\" (such as principles of standardization, establishment of standard systems), and the GB/T 20001 series of \"Rules for Standard Drafting\" (such as drafting of terminology standards and test method standards). Special requirements: When dealing with patents, copyrights, and similar matters, refer to GB/T 20002 \"Drafting of Specific Content in Standards\" as well as the relevant guidelines issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
4. What are the key issues to consider when drafting group standards? Working group formation: It is necessary to include professionals with intermediate or higher technical qualifications, as well as representatives from stakeholders such as enterprises, universities, and testing institutions, to ensure technical compatibility of the standards. Technical analysis: By comparing similar domestic and international standards, key indicators (such as performance parameters and safety thresholds) are carefully analyzed to avoid duplication or outdated technologies. Seeking feedback: Period: Not less than 30 days, via public platforms, the official website, and targeted distribution to relevant parties (such as enterprises upstream and downstream in the industry chain, industry associations). Handling: Each piece of feedback is evaluated individually; if it involves significant adjustments to the technical approach (such as changes in the scope of application of standards), further feedback is required. Patent handling: Adhering to the principles of \"non-interference, early disclosure, and clear licensing,\" and drawing on ISO/IEC patent policies, members are encouraged to make patent information public and commit to providing reasonable licensing.
5. Under what circumstances are group standards mandatory? Although group standards are voluntary in nature, they must be implemented in three scenarios: Legal reference: When directly cited by laws, regulations, or rules, they have an equivalent mandatory effect (for example, the E-Commerce Law cites the quality provisions of certain e-commerce group standards). Corporate statement: Companies that declare on product packaging, instruction manuals, or public platforms that they comply with this standard are obligated to do so. The contract stipulates that when quality standards are included in the contract as a basis for the transactions between the parties, they are legally binding on those parties.
6. What are the implementation pathways for group standards? Policy adoption: Government departments give priority to adopting group standards in industrial planning, government procurement, and certification processes (for example, Shenzhen’s “Standard Leader” system includes advanced group standards). Market applications: It can be implemented as agreed upon by members of a group, or it can be made available for voluntary adoption by the general public (for example, the group standards for module testing established by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association have become a reference for global procurement). Trade collaboration: Using contractual agreements as the basis for quality inspection, which is particularly suitable for customized products or high-end services.
7. Which documents can be normatively cited in group standards? Adhering to the principles of \"transparency, authority, and non-discrimination\", citation is permitted from: Compliance documents: **standards, industry standards, international standards, and authoritative technical documents that are publicly available. Citation is prohibited: unpublished documents, informational reference materials, restricted documents containing patents or exclusive technologies, as well as laws and administrative regulations (which must be complied with directly rather than cited).
8. Can group standards be used as a basis for the accreditation of testing and inspection agencies? Sure. According to the regulations of the **Certification and Accreditation Administration, when applying for accreditation, testing and inspection agencies may use group standards as a basis for assessing their technical capabilities; however, they must indicate the name and number of the standard in their application documents to ensure its legality and suitability.
9. Can enterprises that implement group standards apply for product certification? The prerequisite is that the technical requirements of the group standard are not lower than those of **the standards or industry standards. For example, the safety standards of a certain industry standard for smart homes are higher than those of national standards; once a company declares that it will adhere to this standard, it can apply to a certification body for customized certification, and the certification result must specify which industry standard was used as a basis.
10. How should group standards related to patents be handled? Policy framework: Comply with the Standardization Law, Patent Law, and Antitrust Law to balance incentives for innovation with the promotion of standards; Patent disclosure: Require standard drafters and stakeholders to disclose relevant patent information as early as possible to prevent \"hidden patents\" from affecting the implementation of standards. License commitment: Patent holders are encouraged to make \"fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND)\\" license commitments to ensure the inclusivity of standard implementation. Dispute resolution: Refer to T/CAS 2.2-2018 \"Guidelines for the Handling of Patents in Group Standards\" to establish mechanisms for patent evaluation, licensing negotiations, and dispute resolution. International experience: The principle of ISO/IEC, which states that patents should only be included in standards when necessary, can be adopted; priority should be given to technical solutions that do not involve patents or for which patent licenses are clear, in order to reduce implementation risks.
From technology research and development to industrial application, group standards are becoming an important pillar for high-quality development, thanks to their ability to \"quickly respond to market demands and accurately match innovative achievements.\"