How to Perceive the (Future) Role
of China in ICT Standardisation –
A European Perspective
Kai Jakobs
Martina Gerst
Why Look at China?
• “Third tier companies make products; second tier
companies make technology; first tier companies
make standards”.
– China is keen on ‘indigenous’ innovations.
– And has realised the importance of standards to support
this.
– It has also recognised the importance of standards
education.
• China has emerged as a strong new player in
international standardisation.
• Plus, it’s got a huge internal market.
The European Standardisation System
The Chinese Standardisation System
AQSIQ
SAC
MIIT
CESI
TCs
CCSA
WGs
AQSIQ: General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine
MIIT: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
SAC: Standardization Administrative of China
CESI: China Electronics Standardization Institute
CCSA: China Communications Standards Association
Deliverables
In the EU
• (European/Harmonised) Standards
• Technical Specifications (TS),
• Technical Reports (TR),
• Workshop Agreements / Industry Specifications
In China, they’ve got standards
• ‘National’ (15% mandatory;
85% voluntary)
• ‘Professional’
• ‘Local’
• ‘Enterprise’.
Standardisation Development Ladder
8. Enter proposals at WTSA on future study
questions and work programmes.
7. Nominate representatives as SG chairs,
vice‐chairs, rapporteurs, etc.
6. Give contributions at SG meetings.
5. Attract ITU meetings.
4. Go to SG and related meetings.
3. ITU Sector and Associate Membership.
2. National training and capacity‐building in
use of ITU Recommendations.
1. Growing use of ITU Recommendations.
CSS – Strengths
 Good alignment with national policy making.
 Serious amounts of money may be made available
for ‘lighthouse developments’.
 An over-arching standardisation strategy to guide
future development of the system.
 Improved links between R&D and standardisation.
 Recognition of the importance of standards
education.
 Clear vision of ‘internationalisation’ of domestic
standards.
CSS – Weaknesses
 Supervision by government may limit flexibility.
 As may the non-existence of ‘new deliverables’.
 A rather complex system of different and possibly
contradicting standards at various (geographic)
levels.
 Limited involvement of industry.
 Inadequate co-ordination government – industry.
 Still limited experiences with international SSOs.
 Limited number of leading functions in many
international SSOs.
 No integration of consortium standards.
CSS – Opportunities
 A large internal market gives economic clout.
 R&D in support of standards setting should yield
superior standards with better chances of
international market adoption.
 Well-educated standards setters will strengthen
China’s position internationally.
 Clear focus on internationalisation of good
domestic standards will help open up new
markets.
CSS – Threats
 Government-driven system may result in
standards that do not meet current industry needs.
 System may not be flexible enough to adequately
address the needs of the fast-moving ICT sector.
 Standards not owned by SAC may lead to
contradicting standards and market fragmentation.
 Low visibility in international standardisation will
reduce chances of national standards to succeed
internationally.
 Ignoring consortium standards may leave China
stranded with irrelevant (inter)national formal
standards.
Some EU – China Links in
Standardisation
• DIN (Siemens?!) provided PRC with full set of
German standards in 1979.
• Seconded European Standardization Expert for
China (since 2006)
– enhance visibility of European standardisation;
– contribute to integration of China into the WTO system;
– help European industry to maintain and increase its
competitiveness in the global marketplace.
• ‘Europe-China Standardization Information
Platform’
Provides information about applicable and upcoming
standards with relevance for the export to China or Europe
of certain product categories.
EU Attitude I
• In general, the ESS is based on co-regulation;
industry and government co-operate closely.
• Largely geared towards co-operation rather than
competition.
• This view also extends to China that is seen as an
important future market, especially for SMEs.
EU Attitude II
The EU is quite settled in her ways.
• Recent(?) modifications included
– the foundation of ETSI in1988;
– the foundation of the Information Society
Standardization System (CEN/ISSS) in 1997 (now
disbanded again).
• The ‘Digital Agenda’ still clearly distinguishes
between ‘standardisation’ and ‘innovation’.
• Standards education has become a popular topic
but very little has happened so far.
• Any effects of the recent new Regulation remain to
be seen.
What Can Europe See in China? I
• China still needs to traverse much of the learning
curve in ICT standardisation the EU has already
passed:
–
–
–
–
–
Gain more international experience and prominence;
Somehow come to terms with standards consortia;
Overcome geographical split (e.g. local standards);
Include all stakeholders (primarily industry);
Become more flexible (e.g. ‘new deliverables’;
consortium standards).
What Can Europe See in China? II
• China may have a long-term competitive edge:
– Well developed standardisation strategy;
– Aims to improve links to R&D;
– Head start in standards education
What Can Europe See in China? III
• The Chinese Standardisation System is not to be
feared per se – it has its strengths and
weaknesses just like every other national/regional
system.
– China: essentially driven by government; EU: essentially
driven by co-operation; US: essentially driven by
competition;
– Regional diversity.
– Centralisation
China
EU
US
– Sectoral split
US
China
EU
The EU Can Learn From China
• That an ICT standardisation strategy is a good
thing to have.
• That standardisation and innovation should not be
considered separately.
• That funding standards education is a good
investment in the future of Europe’s technical and
economic relevance.
• That sometimes you just have to put your money
where your mouth is ............
Thank You Very Much for Your Attention
Questions, Please .....