The Europe-China Standardization Information Platform (CESIP) was launched as a one-stop-shop for market access information to help businesses internationalize and ultimately strengthen SME trade between Europe and China.

Mr Daniel Calleja, Director-General of European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry, and Mr Cheng Gang, Administrator of SAC (Standardisation Administration of China) launched CESIP in Beijing on 24 October 2012 aimed at providing information on standards and market requirements of Europe and China. The Commission announced new and updated initiatives to assist SMEs to go international in March 2012.

The Commission highlights that the CESIP's objective is to make market access information readily accessible, need for SMEs to make time-intensive searches for information. The new CESIP platform provides detailed information about European and Chinese standards and market access requirements. CESIP currently covers three sectors; machinery, electrical appliances and medical devices while five new sectors will follow soon: textiles, toys, aerosol cans, packaging and energy efficiency of buildings.

The market access information is structured according to product groups in this platform. Also all information is bilingual, in English and Mandarin, and regularly updated. Moreover, CESIP provides — free of charge — over 4,500 European Standards, 3,000 Chinese National Standards and 16,000 Chinese Industry Sector Standards already referenced. Transparent classification by international product codes (ICS) helps SMEs easily identify standards relevant for their business sector.