Inter-governmental consultations with China

Declaration establishing a joint standardization commission signed

On 27 June Germany's Minister of Economics and Technology Dr. Philipp Rösler met with several representatives of the Chinese government during the German-Chinese inter-governmental consultations taking place in Berlin. Rösler discussed issues regarding standardization and product safety with Minister ZHI Shuping, Director of the Chinese State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. He also met with MIAO Wei, Minister for Industry and Information Technology to discuss China's role as the official partner country for the 2012 Hannover Fair, as well as a strategic cooperation in the electromobility sector. That evening talks also took place with the Chinese Minister of Commerce CHEN Deming at which the liberalization of reciprocal investments was part of the agenda.

The focus of the talks with Minister ZHI Shuping was on standardization and product quality, and a declaration establishing a joint standardization commission was signed. The aim is for the Chinese to become even more oriented towards and more involved in the development of international standards, with Germany's close cooperation. A closer cooperation in the field of product safety was also agreed.

According to Minister Rösler, "It is in both our interests that products meet strict safety standards. Because to protect the consumer, one thing is clear: Only safe products may be placed on the market."

Source: BMWi (extract)