A new robot certification mark was released on Nov. 2 by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA). The first batch of robot quality certificates were issued at the same time.

According to AQSIQ Vice Minister Zhang Qinrong, the establishment of robot standards constitutes an important step toward innovation and brand-building in China's robotics industry. It will also serve to advance the industry and improve China's position in the field of high-end equipment manufacturing.

China has become the world's largest market for robots. Statistics show that 32,996 industrial robots were produced in 2015, a year-on-year increase of 21.7 percent. The figure increased by 30.8 percent to 50,900 in the first three quarters of 2016, 9 percent more than last year.

However, China's robotics industry is still behind those of many advanced countries. With the establishment of a robot standards, testing and certification system, China will further narrow the gap.