Guiding Opinions on Green Product Standards System Issued

On December 7, the Office of State Council released the Guiding Opinions for a Unified Green Product Standards, Certification, and Label System, as the implementation measures for Ecological Civilization System Reform.
 
This Guiding Opinions aim to establish a unified green product standards, certification and identification system by 2020, where there will only be one unified standard, list, certification and labeling system for the same kind of products. To achieve those goals, seven key tasks are laid out below:

  • Establish a unified definition of green products and evaluation methods based on energy conservation, minimal pollutant emissions, low toxicity levels, recyclability and reusability among others
  • Build a unified system for green product standards, certification and labeling
  • Implement a unified Green Product Evaluation Criteria List and Certification Catalogue
  • Research and develop green product evaluation standards for regularly used consumer goods, such as food, clothes, consumer devices and others
  • Promote green product credit system building, enhance the producer's responsibility over the products and have a strong supervision mechanism in place to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of green product certification
  • Build and improve the technical support system, and strengthen the standards and conformity assessment capability
  • Promote international cooperation and mutual recognition, play an active role in international standards making and promote the Chinese green product systems on the international stage

Moving forward, it will be important to pay close attention to the green product catalogue, which could potentially include certain consumer electronics and have an impact on the ICT industry.