During a recent trip to China, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Auto Standardization Research Institute (ASRI) at the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC). Under the signed MOU, both organizations will host regular leadership and technical visits to each other's countries and exchange up-to-date information. The MOU will allow both organizations to plan for the U.S.-China technical workshops focusing on standards and conformity assessment-related topics related to emerging auto technologies, such as smart grid, electric vehicle technology, and intelligent connected vehicles (ICV).
CATARC is a science research institute established in 1985 to meet China's need of managing the automotive industry and now belongs to SASAC (State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council). CATARC serves as the centralized technical organization of the auto industry and the technical organization to the relevant national government departments.
ANSI Bilateral Meetings
During the China visit, ANSI and CATARC held bilateral meetings to discuss future cooperation and issues of interest to both entities. An Tiecheng, president of CATARC, shared visions and priorities for an international collaboration of the organization for 2020 and beyond. In turn, Mr. Tretler shared examples of ANSI's work, such as the standardization roadmap for electric vehicles, and outlined new opportunities for 2020. Both organizations recognized the importance of adopting international standards to foster innovation and facilitate international trade, technical exchanges, and to address the protection of consumer safety.
Mr. Tretler also met with Chinese officials from the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA), the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) to learn about the latest developments on the standardization reform activities, and to discuss opportunities for collaboration and upcoming priorities for 2020.
Appreciation Reception
In addition to the MOU signing and bilateral meetings, Mr. Tretler and ANSI members attended the annual ANSI in China Appreciation Reception for members and partner organizations in China. The year-end gathering provided an opportunity for ANSI membersincluding Oracle, UL, Dell, Emerson, HP, and othersto network with key players in the U.S.-China standards realm. ANSI members attended the reception along with several other notable Chinese participants, such as Chen Gang, former vice minister of SAMR; Li Yubing, deputy director-general of the Department of Standard Innovation, SAMR; Huang Li, director, Department of Standard Innovation, SAMR; Chong Li, deputy director, Department of Standard Innovation, SAMR, Pan Feng, secretary-general, China Communications Standardization Association (CCSA).
During the reception, which included more than 60 participants, Mr. Tretler highlighted accomplishments for the year, including the high-level visits with ANSI's Chinese counterparts, the organization of four workshops under the U.S.-China Standards and Conformity Assessment Cooperation Program (SCACP), and the quarterly publication of the ANSI in China Newsletter.