EU-China

Background

On 25 June 2001, the EU General Affairs Council approved the proposed EU-China Industrial Policy and Regulatory Cooperation Dialogues [32 KB] . They were developed within the framework of the EU-China Joint Committee, based on the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the European Economic Community and the People's Republic of China [28 KB] of 1985.

EU-China Regulatory Cooperation (DG Enterprise and Industry/AQSIQ)

Since 2001, a regulatory dialogue has been established with the Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). The dialogue, called "the Consultation Mechanism on Industrial Products and WTO/TBT", promotes regulatory convergence between the EU and China to facilitate the free and safe circulation of goods, to eliminate obstacles to trade and investment, and to improve the quality and safety of Chinese goods on the EU market.

It is held on a regular basis between services of DG Enterprise and Industry and the AQSIQ.

The consultation mechanism, which includes dispute resolution provisions, should also improve mutual understanding of both parties' product safety rules. It provides for a High Level Steering Committee for industrial products, which can call annual meetings, discuss major issues, and plan future co-operation as well as forming emergency working groups on several sectoral issues.

It covers all industrial products that are subject to technical regulations in the DG Enterprise and Industry portfolio, and also industry-wide issues such as conformity assessment (including certification and accreditation) and standardisation.

The Consultation Mechanism ensures contributions and proper involvement of both Chinese and European companies.

The Ninth Plenary meeting, Brussels, 12 May 2011

The meeting was co-chaired by AQSIQ Minister Zhi Shuping and by Director-General Heinz Zourek.

More photos from the meeting

The Eighth Plenary meeting, Beijing, 25 March 2010

Meeting between Director-General Zourek (DG Enterprise and Industry) and AQSIQ Minister Wang Yong (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine)		Eighth Plenary Meeting of DG Enterprise and Industry-AQSIQ Consultation Mechanism on Industrial Products and WTO/TBT

The Eighth Plenary meeting allowed both sides to confirm the value of the dialogue platform developed over the years.

Nine working groups reported to the plenary meeting:

• Cosmetics
• Electrical and Mechanical products
• Automobile
• Conformity Assessment
• Standarisation
• Wine and Spirits
• Chemicals
• Toys
• Medical Devices

The Seventh Plenary meeting, Brussels, 21 November 2008

• Minutes of the Seventh Plenary meeting [582 KB]
• List of participants [15 KB]

Short joint reports of the working groups:

• Automobile [11 KB]
• Conformity Assessment [1012 KB]
• Cosmetics [13 KB]
• Electrical and Mechanical [11 KB]
• Pressure equipment [6 KB]
• Standardisation [14 KB]
• Textile [17 KB]
• Toys [187 KB]

The Sixth Plenary meeting, Beijing, 24 October 2007

During the Sixth Plenary meeting of DG Enterprise and Insutry/AQSIQ dialogue, in October 2007, a list of "Deliverables" was agreed which represents a significant part of the action plan agreed with the AQSIQ.

• Minutes of the Sixth Plenary meeting [2 MB]
• List of Deliverables [254 KB]

EU-China Industrial Policy Dialogue

Dialogue with NDRC

The agreement to launch the dialogue on industrial policy between the European Commission and the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) was signed in Beijing on 17 September 2003.

It provides for a dialogue to enhance mutual understanding of current and forthcoming policy approaches, legislation and related issues in the industrial sector. It aims to facilitate EU business access in China, to promote fair trade and to ensure a business-friendly level playing field for industrial operators in China.

The NDRC focuses on long-term industrial and economic development and has a major role in the reform of the overall economic structure. It combines the role of a western-style industry ministry with some functions of a ministry for the economy, and is responsible for development policies and strategies in many industrial sectors.

The industrial policy dialogue includes permanent consultations and annual co-operation meetings in Beijing and Brussels. It provides an umbrella under which industry sectors with crucial interests in China can address issues in sector-specific working groups. Working groups can be established at any time, subject to the agreement of both parties.

Dialogue with MIIT

A Memorandum of Understanding [849 KB] between DG Enterprise and Industry and the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) was also signed on 30 November 2009, on the occasion of the twelfth EU-China Summit in Nanjing.

DG Enterprise and Industry and the MIIT have very similar competences. They are both responsible for industrial policy and cover a large number of industrial sectors from the automotive sector to information technology. Exchange of information and experience, preliminary information about their respective legislative initiatives and the creation of a forum to debate potential or existing difficulties for their respective industry were deemed useful by both sides. It was therefore decided to establish a formal dialogue between both administrations.

The Memorandum of Understanding gave also the opportunity to acknowledge the transfer of some competences on SME policy and Shipbuilding from the NDRC and the COSTIND (former Chinese Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence) to the MIIT. The arrangements previously concluded on SME cooperation [782 KB] and on the establishment of a dialogue in the shipbuilding industry [398 KB] remain unchanged and are now referred to in the new Memorandum of Understanding with the MIIT.

It was also agreed to set up three working groups with MIIT on: Raw Materials, Industrial Energy Efficiency and Automobile.

Meeting between Director-General Zourek (DG Enterprise and Industry) and Vice-Minister Miao Wei (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) - Beijing 25 March 2010		Director-General Zourek (DG Enterprise and Industry) speaking during a meeting at the China IPR SME Helpdesk

 

This industrial policy dialogue with both the NDRC and the MIIT complements the European Commission's existing dialogue with the Chinese Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) on industrial product regulation. Like the Consultation Mechanism, the industrial policy dialogues with the NDRC and the MIIT will ensure contributions and proper involvement of both Chinese and European companies.