SAMR Issues General Rules on Qualification Licensing for Certification Bodies

On September 21, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued the General Rules for the Review of Qualification Licensing for Certification Bodies (the “General Rules”), which took effect upon issuance.

The General Rules establish a unified procedure for qualification licensing and ongoing administration of certification bodies, covering establishment, scope expansion, modification, renewal, and deregistration. They clarify three types of review methods: document review, on-site inspection, and expert evaluation. A decision on acceptance shall be made within 5 days from the date of receipt of the application materials, the time limit for supplementing and correcting application materials is 30 days, and a licensing decision shall in principle be made within 45 days from the date of acceptance. The document also specifies in greater detail the general requirements concerning office premises, registered capital, management systems, full-time certification personnel, inspection and testing resources, and other matters, and provides that the approval certificate shall be valid for 6 years. Where serious illegal conduct or dishonesty, false materials, or obtaining evidence by deception or bribery exists, the license shall not be granted or shall be revoked, and Announcement No. 28 of 2022 is repealed.