These Certification Fees Have All Been Reduced, Didn't You Know?

Since the implementation of the new accreditation fee items and standards of the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) in 2017, it has strictly implemented price laws, regulations, and related provisions to effectively reduce the burden on inspection, testing, and certification organizations, and has introduced a series of fee reduction measures. Specific measures are as follows:

1. Cancellation of Fee Items

Prior to 2016, there were four accreditation fee items, including application fee, assessment fee, certification and registration fee, and annuity. In 2017, the certification and registration fee was cancelled.

2. Reduction of Fee Standards

The annuity fee standard for management system certification bodies has been adjusted. The original fee of 500 yuan/certificate for initial assessment, 100 yuan/certificate for surveillance review, and 300 yuan/certificate for recertification has been changed to 400 yuan/certificate for initial assessment, 80 yuan/certificate for surveillance review, and 240 yuan/certificate for recertification. The annuity fee standard for product certification bodies has also been adjusted. The product certification body annuity, previously charged at 1% of the certification body's annual operating revenue for product certification, has been changed to 150 yuan for the first certificate issued to each organization, and 50 yuan for subsequent certificates. Establish a tiered standard for calculating annuities based on the total annuity amount. For management system and product annuities, the portion below RMB 1 million (inclusive) will be paid based on the actual amount incurred; the portion between RMB 1 million (exclusive) and RMB 3 million (inclusive) will be paid at 90%; and the portion exceeding RMB 3 million will be paid at 80%. Extend the accreditation certificate cycle. The accreditation certificate cycle for certification bodies will be extended from four to five years, and the accreditation certificate cycle for laboratories and inspection bodies will be extended from three to six years. Optimize the accreditation process, implement a filing system for changes in standards and authorized signatories for laboratories and inspection bodies, and eliminate review fees, among other reform measures, to reduce accreditation costs for accredited entities.

3. Streamline administrative approval preconditions and mandatory certification-related fees.

In 2016, the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) abolished accreditation as a precondition for designating certification bodies, inspection bodies, and laboratories engaged in mandatory certification-related activities. The new fee items and standards of the accreditation center have been publicized on the center's website and the website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) as required. In addition, for the only project requiring mandatory accreditation under laws and regulations, Level 3 and 4 biosafety laboratories, a "Notice on Adjusting the Accreditation Fee Policy for Level 3 and 4 Biosafety Laboratories" was issued on January 22, 2017, stating that accreditation fees for Level 3 and 4 biosafety laboratories would no longer be charged in 2017.