In a significant move to bolster the global competitiveness and quality assurance of its rapidly expanding robotics sector, key Chinese governmental bodies, industry leaders, and international experts convened for a pivotal summit. The “China Robot Detection Certification and Industrial Development High-Level Forum,” held on November 24, 2015, at the National Convention Center in Beijing during the 2015 World Robot Conference, marked a concerted effort to address foundational gaps in standards, testing, and certification that are crucial for the sustainable growth of the China robot ecosystem.
The forum, chaired by Song Xiaogang, Executive Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Robot Industry Alliance, gathered over 200 participants. Attendees included representatives from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Robot Detection and Evaluation Center (NRDEC), alongside domestic and international robotics enterprises, academics, and media. The core consensus was clear: building a robust, internationally recognized detection and certification system is paramount for the future of the China robot industry.
1. Imperative for Systemic Foundations in the China Robot Boom
The forum opened against the backdrop of explosive growth in the China robot market. While government support and policy incentives have propelled the industry to new heights—with China becoming the world’s largest industrial robot market in 2014—rapid expansion has exposed critical weaknesses. Participants noted that the China robot sector faces challenges including a lack of a complete standard system framework, over-reliance on translated ISO standards for industrial robots, an absence of specialized standards for service and other robot categories, and insufficient testing platforms and verification capabilities. These deficiencies hinder innovation, create market irregularities with products of varying quality, and ultimately limit the global reach and credibility of China robot brands.
Lu Wei from the NDRC highlighted that in the global competition for economic high ground, intelligent manufacturing equipment represented by robotics has become a strategic focal point. For China to achieve its manufacturing power goals under the “Made in China 2025” initiative, addressing these systemic issues is a pressing task. The NDRC, adopting a problem-oriented approach, is collaborating with multiple ministries to establish a third-party robot detection and certification institution—the National Robot Detection and Evaluation Center. This center aims to become a world-class service platform providing testing, standard research, certification, and information services, thereby ensuring product quality and facilitating the entry of China robot products into international markets.
2. Coordinated Efforts for Standardization and Certification
The discussions revealed a multi-pronged strategy under development by various Chinese authorities to construct the necessary infrastructure for the China robot industry.
- Standardization Drive (SAC): Dai Hong from SAC’s Department II outlined that to change the unfavorable status quo, SAC has spearheaded the establishment of a National Robot Standardization Overall Group. This group is tasked with creating a blueprint and top-level design for China robot standardization. Current work involves sorting out and forming China’s robot standardization system framework, compiling and releasing a “China Robot Standardization White Paper,” and accelerating the development of basic, common standards for industrial, service, and special robots, particularly in areas like detection, evaluation, and reliability. The goal is to provide standardized professional support to ensure the scientific and orderly development of the China robot industry.
- Certification Framework Development (CNCA): Li Chunjiang, Deputy Director of CNCA’s Certification Supervision Department, emphasized that certification is a core component of quality infrastructure. To advance robot product certification, especially voluntary certification, CNCA is implementing several measures: relaxing market access restrictions for voluntary product certification businesses, supporting certification for key industries and products like robots, promoting the adoption and recognition of voluntary certification results by the government and market, and establishing cooperative relations with international certification bodies to help China robot products “go global.”
- Industrial Policy and Application Focus (MIIT): Wang Jianyu, Director of the Machinery Department at MIIT’s Equipment Industry Division, called for a rational perspective on the industry’s growth to prevent disorder and bubbles. MIIT is working on multiple fronts to regulate the market. This includes initiating the development of robot application standards to promote adoption, utilizing demonstration effects to build automation demonstration lines with domestic brands, establishing benchmark domestic robot enterprises, and actively participating in the construction of industry detection capabilities and authoritative certification brands. MIIT also aims to gradually promote the acceptance and use of robot certification results to support promising enterprises.
3. The Role of the National Robot Detection and Evaluation Center (NRDEC)
Wang Aiguo, Deputy Secretary-General of the NRDEC, provided insights into the center’s mission amidst the China robot landscape. He pointed out that while market sales are booming, the recognition rate of domestic China robot brands remains low due to gaps in scale, technology, and market acceptance compared to foreign firms. Other issues include lagging core technologies, a talent shortage, lack of quality evaluation and supervision, and signs of low-level redundant construction. As robot companies often neglect evaluation systems, the NRDEC was established to research and build a detection and evaluation system suitable for China’s robot industry characteristics. Its functions encompass standard research/formulation, detection services, certification services, cooperation exchanges, training, and consulting. The NRDEC is actively involved with the National Robot Standardization Overall Group, contributing to top-level design work such as drafting the standardization white paper and planning the standard system framework.
4. International Perspectives and Corporate Engagement
The forum also incorporated viewpoints from global technology leaders, underscoring the interconnected nature of the robotics field and the importance of standards.
- Intel’s Standards Participation: Zhang Yimin, Senior Director of the Robot Perception Lab at Intel China Research Institute, shared Intel’s approach of engaging in technology standard setting while driving innovation. He cited involvement in two key initiatives: the Open Data Center Committee (ODCC), a non-profit industry organization in China focusing on data center standardization, and the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), an open membership organization co-founded by global giants to accelerate industrial internet technology. For the China robot sector, his preliminary thoughts on standards emphasized openness to encourage innovation, testability with proper platforms and specifications, and adaptability to evolving robot technologies.
- KUKA’s Emphasis on Quality Systems: Kong Bing, CEO of KUKA Robot (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., expressed strong support for establishing local standards and certification systems. He stated that KUKA insists on compliance with local standards and passing detection tests for sales in any country, including within the EU. He recognizes the value of a robust system for ensuring quality and protecting downstream customers. With KUKA having established localized production in China, he believes that a well-defined China robot standard and certification system will significantly assist Chinese enterprises in integrating into the global supply chain and fostering broader international cooperation within the robotics industry.
5. Consolidating the Pathway Forward for China Robot Excellence
The forum served as a platform to align priorities for the China robot industry’s next phase. The collective narrative centered on moving beyond pure market expansion to building intrinsic quality and reliability. The construction of the China robot detection and certification system is seen not merely as a regulatory requirement but as a strategic enabler. It is expected to level the playing field, allow truly innovative and high-quality China robot manufacturers to distinguish themselves, and build trust with domestic and international consumers. The work on standards, led by SAC’s overall group, coupled with the operational development of the NRDEC for testing and the push by CNCA for recognized certification, represents a holistic government-led initiative. Furthermore, the engagement of international players like Intel and KUKA indicates a recognition that global best practices and collaboration will be integral to the system’s success.
The implementation of “Made in China 2025” is set to further upgrade the development of robotics. Utilizing the power of standards and a rigorous certification framework is viewed as essential to accelerating the advancement of the China robot industry and enhancing the nation’s level of intelligent manufacturing. The forum concluded with a sense of urgency and commitment among stakeholders to translate these discussions into concrete actions, ensuring that the China robot sector transitions from a volume leader to a quality and innovation leader on the world stage.
| Entity | Primary Role in Forum | Focus Area for China Robot Industry |
|---|---|---|
| National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) | Spearheading inter-ministerial coordination for establishing the National Robot Detection and Evaluation Center. | Overall industrial policy, problem-solving for market gaps, facilitating international market access for China robot products. |
| Standardization Administration of China (SAC) | Leading the National Robot Standardization Overall Group to create the standard system framework and white paper. | Developing foundational and common standards for all robot categories (industrial, service, special) to guide the China robot sector. |
| Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) | Overseeing the development of voluntary and mandatory certification frameworks for robot products. | Building quality infrastructure, promoting certification result acceptance, and fostering international certification cooperation for China robot brands. |
| Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) | Focusing on application standards, demonstration projects, and market order regulation. | Promoting the adoption of China robot products in real-world applications, supporting domestic benchmark enterprises, and integrating certification into industry practices. |
| National Robot Detection & Evaluation Center (NRDEC) | Serving as the planned central third-party platform for testing, evaluation, and certification services. | Providing the technical backbone for the China robot detection and certification system, conducting research, and offering professional services. |
| China Robot Industry Alliance | Organizing the forum and representing industry interests. | Acting as a bridge between government, academia, and enterprises to collectively address challenges facing the China robot ecosystem. |
The journey to fortify the China robot industry with a world-class detection and certification system is now firmly underway. The 2015 forum crystallized the challenges and charted a collaborative course of action involving standardization, rigorous testing, credible certification, and international engagement. The success of this endeavor is critical not only for the health and sustainability of the domestic China robot market but also for positioning China as a reliable and innovative force in the global robotics revolution. As these systems take shape, they promise to elevate the quality, safety, and interoperability of China robot products, ultimately contributing to smarter manufacturing and technological progress worldwide.