Non-industry and Nonstate Actors Contribution in the Standard Drafting Process: Examples from the Development of China Room Air Conditioner Standards

Nonstate actors play various roles in the processes of national policymaking and implementation in China and around the world. In this chapter, the authors present key strategic insights into how non-industry and nonstate actors, including foreign research institutions and subject matter experts, can maximize their contributions to China’s national standard drafting process. They do so through the “lens” of China’s recent development of national air conditioner (AC) energy efficiency standards. In Section I, the authors set the stage for discussion by describing the importance of cooling efficiency for the warming world and in particular for China. More specifically, the authors reflect on China’s leadership role in the development of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Layer (Montreal Protocol) and the associated Kigali Amendment. In doing so, they explain the significant climate mitigation potential from the duel strategy of phasing down HFCs and improving energy efficiency of ACs. The authors, both lawyers trained in Chinese, international and comparative law, provide readers with a primary understanding of China’s legislative and regulatory measures governing AC energy efficiency. To that end, the authors also describe fundamental aspects of China’s compulsory energy efficiency standards. In Section II, the authors provide strategic insights on how non-industry and nonstate actors can maximize their contributions in raising the climate and energy efficiency ambition of Chinese national standards, though their particular recommendations drawn from their recent experience with the drafting process associated with China’s most recent AC energy efficiency standards. In particular, their recommendations describe the importance of early and credentialed involvement in the standard drafting process, the importance of equipping oneself with insights into the industry stakeholders affected by the standard being drafted, partnering with appropriate research institutions; and linking ambition-related proposals to market incentive mechanisms.