Key Priorities for Safety Supervision of Special Equipment in 2009

　　According to China Quality News, the overarching goal for special equipment safety supervision in 2009 was to be guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of the "Three Represents," fully implementing the spirit of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Third Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee, and the Central Economic Work Conference. It also emphasized deeply embracing the Scientific Outlook on Development, diligently enforcing the newly revised "Special Equipment Safety Supervision and Administration Regulations," and closely aligning efforts with the national quality inspection conference's directives—specifically, focusing on "safeguarding growth, expanding domestic demand, and adjusting economic structures." In addition, the year would see an intensified focus on launching the "Year of Quality and Safety" campaign, strengthening safety oversight of special equipment, advancing energy-saving regulations for high-energy-consuming special devices, further reforming and refining the institutional framework for special equipment safety supervision, and ensuring the successful completion of the safety control targets set by the State Council’s Safety Committee. Ultimately, these initiatives aimed to contribute to fostering steady, rapid, safe, and resource-efficient economic development.

　　1. Deeply implement and uphold the Scientific Development Concept, and further innovate the systems and mechanisms for safety supervision of special equipment.

　　1. Deepen administrative licensing reforms. Implement the provisions of the newly revised "Special Equipment Safety Supervision and Inspection Regulations" regarding the delegation of administrative licenses, and adjust the scope of special equipment manufacturing licenses. By reducing and consolidating license categories, as well as overlapping approval scopes vertically and horizontally, further streamline the number of manufacturing license items. Additionally, accelerate the decentralization of special equipment production license projects currently managed by the General Administration. Strengthen post-licensing oversight: the General Administration will conduct random inspections of 200 licensed entities, while local authorities will inspect 15–25% of licensed entities within their respective administrative regions. Enhance regulatory oversight of certification and evaluation bodies, and further develop targeted supervision measures. Finally, refine the assessment and registration system for special equipment certification and evaluation personnel.

　　2. Explore reforms in inspection and testing practices. Continue advancing the joint restructuring and scaled-up development of inspection agencies, optimizing the allocation of inspection resources, ensuring comprehensive inspection coverage, and strengthening oversight of inspection quality as well as the timely uploading of updated inspection data. Implement a robust system for promptly reporting significant inspection issues, while fostering a stronger sense of responsibility and service excellence. For pressure piping inspection and testing, fully leverage the roles of various inspection agencies and, within specific sectors and regions, pilot initiatives allowing user organizations to independently select accredited inspection agencies for conducting these services. Additionally, study and develop standardized quotas for statutory inspections, using these quotas to evaluate and assess the quality of work performed by inspection agencies. Finally, explore innovative approaches to reforming inspection fee structures.

　　3. Advance risk-based regulatory approaches. Organize and conduct specialized research on risk-based regulation of special equipment, developing implementation plans tailored to risk management for equipment such as pressure vessels, pressure piping systems, elevators, and lifting machinery. In line with the General Administration’s directive to establish a unified quality and safety risk monitoring mechanism, initiate efforts to monitor, assess, and address quality and safety risks associated with special equipment. Promote the development of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) standards and accelerate the wider adoption of RBI technology in pressure-containing equipment used in large-scale petrochemical facilities and other critical sectors. For electromechanical special equipment like passenger ropeways, launch pilot programs focused on monitoring and preventive maintenance aimed at reducing failure rates. Additionally, explore innovative approaches to reforming the evaluation process for design documents of power plant boilers.

　　4. Promote scientific and technological innovation. Leverage the China Special Inspection Institute as a leading force in tackling key scientific research challenges, establishing a robust, large-scale technology platform that fosters unified planning and collaborative problem-solving, thereby enhancing the research capabilities of inspection institutions. Explore the establishment of specialized research bases for various inspection technologies, encouraging local inspection agencies to boost their research enthusiasm and creativity, thus providing strong support for the overarching technology platform. Additionally, guide the China Special Inspection Association in organizing workshops specifically for research directors from local inspection institutions, helping them clarify research priorities, elevate the quality of research project applications, and effectively implement multi-level, multifaceted measures to incentivize scientific and technological innovation.

　　5. Strengthen research on medium- and long-term strategic planning. Organize and carry out studies on the medium- and long-term development strategy for safety supervision of special equipment, outlining phased objectives, key tasks, and supporting measures for 2010 and 2015. Establish a strategic planning research mechanism to create an annual revision process, ensuring continuous improvement and refinement of the work system over time.

　　II. Focus on the special rectification campaign for special equipment, and effectively carry out the "Quality and Safety Year" activities.

　　6. Thoroughly carry out targeted inspections and rectifications of lifting machinery and pressure piping components. Building on the 2008 special equipment hazard identification and remediation efforts, rigorously oversee enterprises as they address any remaining safety concerns from past incidents. Focus particularly on strengthening oversight of lifting equipment used at infrastructure construction sites, and enhance collaboration with departments and organizations such as safety supervision, transportation, railways, water resources, and power authorities. Ensure that project owners and construction contractors fully assume their primary responsibilities for safety management. Conduct comprehensive checks of pressure piping component manufacturers, with a strong emphasis on cracking down on unlicensed production activities. Implement tailored guidance and regulatory measures, enforce strict access criteria for pressure piping component manufacturing, expedite license transition processes, and ramp up post-licensing surveillance and spot checks. Additionally, advance the implementation of supervisory inspection programs for pressure piping components, while reinforcing safety oversight in new, modified, and expanded engineering projects involving these components.

　　7. Further standardize the assessment and management of operators. Launch a nationwide initiative to develop unified training materials for special equipment, ensuring consistent standards for operator training and certification. Deploy efforts to transition theoretical exams to computer-based testing and simulate practical operation assessments. This year, introduce simulated practical exams specifically for boiler operators, while also exploring the feasibility of implementing similar simulation-based tests for crane operators and in-plant/yard vehicle operators—ultimately enhancing operators' real-world competencies. Revise the "Supervisory and Administrative Measures for Special Equipment Operators," establishing clear criteria for building operator examination institutions and extending the validity period for operator certification revalidation. Additionally, create a national online platform enabling operators to easily check their credentials.

　　8. Strengthen enforcement efforts in safety inspections of special equipment. Intensify on-site safety supervision and inspection activities, pilot and disseminate successful experiences from these inspections, and revise the "Provisional Rules for On-site Safety Supervision and Inspection of Special Equipment" to further standardize inspection procedures and ensure accountability. In accordance with the newly revised "Regulations on Safety Supervision of Special Equipment," further enhance the coordination mechanism between quality and technical supervision departments' safety inspection units and law enforcement agencies, vigorously cracking down on illegal, unlawful, and non-compliant production and usage practices—such as unlicensed manufacturing or unauthorized personnel operating equipment.

　　9. Deeply engage in comprehensive publicity and education activities on special equipment. In conjunction with the newly revised "Special Equipment Safety Supervision and Inspection Regulations," leverage media channels such as television, radio, newspapers, and websites to promote and disseminate knowledge about special equipment safety and energy efficiency. Vigorously highlight the efforts made by quality inspection authorities during the "Year of Quality and Safety," showcasing exemplary achievements and leading enterprises. At the same time, firmly expose major illegal activities and critical safety hazards related to special equipment, further enhancing society's legal awareness of safety and energy conservation in this area. Actively participate in the "3.15" consumer rights protection campaign. Collaborate with educational institutions and other stakeholders to continue organizing the "June 1st" Children's Day event under the theme "For Children's Safety and Happiness, For a Brighter Tomorrow," focusing on special equipment safety. Gradually integrate special equipment safety education into school curricula as part of broader safety initiatives. Join actively in the "National Safe Production Month" promotional activities.

　　10. Accelerate the development of a safety and integrity system for special equipment. Collaborate with relevant departments to propose a comprehensive plan for building an integrity framework for special equipment, and initiate research on integrity standards and tiered evaluation metrics for manufacturers, users, inspection and testing organizations, certification and assessment bodies, as well as their personnel. Additionally, launch and gradually implement a blacklist system targeting manufacturers, users, and inspection/testing institutions involved in special equipment. Explore and promote mechanisms that link integrity-based incentives and penalties—such as benefits from banking credit, tax advantages, and streamlined administrative approvals—to effectively enhance the overall quality and safety of special equipment.

　　3. Focusing on "maintaining growth, boosting domestic demand, and adjusting the economic structure," to support the overall goals of economic and social development.

　　11. Launch energy-saving regulatory efforts for high-energy-consuming special equipment. Fully implement the Energy Conservation Law and the newly revised Special Equipment Safety Supervision and Administration Regulations, accelerating the development of energy-saving laws and standards for high-energy-consuming special equipment. Develop a framework for an energy-saving regulatory system tailored to these high-energy devices, and issue the "Administrative Measures for Energy-Saving Supervision and Management of High-Energy-Consuming Special Equipment." Additionally, refine and finalize energy efficiency standards and testing methodologies for products such as boilers, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and elevators, while revising relevant technical specifications. Gradually introduce energy audits for boiler design documents, conduct energy efficiency tests on both new and in-service equipment, and publicly announce a list of accredited energy efficiency testing institutions. Collaborate with relevant departments to release official catalogs highlighting energy-efficient and obsolete special equipment products. Focus on energy-saving initiatives centered around the boiler usage phase, launching the "Four Five" energy-saving program: organizing energy-saving management certification activities for 50,000 boiler rooms; ensuring that over 50% of industrial boilers (4 tons or larger) meet proper water treatment standards; providing energy-saving training to at least 5,000 personnel specializing in energy supervision and efficiency testing; and promoting the adoption of five or more cutting-edge energy-saving technologies across the industry.

　　12. Supporting the construction of key national projects. Continue to effectively carry out safety oversight for major pipelines such as the Sichuan-to-East Gas Pipeline and the Second West-to-East Gas Transmission Line, and coordinate the smooth implementation of installation supervision and inspection tasks. Proactively provide services to infrastructure projects in railways, highways, energy, and other sectors, ensuring robust safety measures through comprehensive equipment registration, mandatory inspections, operator qualification assessments, and on-site safety monitoring.

　　13. Supporting the Development of Special Equipment and Equipment Manufacturing. Strengthen support for relevant laws and standards, and promote the recognition and adoption of China’s product standards for special equipment in regions such as Asia and Africa. Conduct investigations into technical barriers affecting special equipment exporters, promptly notifying relevant countries and the WTO to facilitate coordinated solutions. Enhance research on the special equipment manufacturing sector to better understand industry needs, and accelerate the development of policy measures aimed at boosting companies’ independent innovation capabilities, optimizing product structures, extending industrial chains, and improving management practices. This will help advance the localization of complete sets of equipment for refining, ethylene production, coal chemical processing, and natural gas storage and transportation, as well as large-scale air separation and petrochemical machinery, while guiding enterprises toward specialized and scalable growth.

　　14. Strengthen efforts to serve the "agriculture, rural areas, and farmers." Guide enterprises in developing specialized equipment products tailored to the unique needs of agriculture and rural communities. Severely crack down on illegal activities such as repairing and refurbishing scrapped gas cylinders for resale in rural areas, which harm farmers and agriculture. By adjusting administrative licensing requirements and implementing other targeted policy measures, facilitate the relocation of specialized equipment companies to rural regions. Additionally, introduce incentives like fee reductions or exemptions for assessment costs, and enhance training and certification programs for farmers working in these industries.

　　4. Continue advancing the construction of five specialized equipment systems, further strengthening the foundational work.

　　15. Accelerate the development of the regulatory and standards system. In coordination with the National People’s Congress, initiate legislative work on the *Special Equipment Safety Law*, aiming to complete the draft by year-end. Additionally, draft regulations supporting the newly revised *Supervision and Administration Regulations for Special Equipment Safety*, covering areas such as accident investigation and handling, energy efficiency oversight, safety supervision of pressure pipelines, safety inspection of dedicated motor vehicles used within premises (factories), and supervisory management of special equipment usage. Simultaneously, revise and update the *Catalogue of Special Equipment*. Enhance safety technical standards, with a particular focus on revising safety technical supervision procedures and administrative licensing criteria, converting relevant normative documents into practical guidelines, and launching pilot programs for post-assessment of safety technical standards.

　　16. Accelerate the development of a robust safety responsibility system. Advance the drafting of documents aimed at establishing a safety responsibility framework for special equipment, emphasizing the refinement and implementation of policy measures that strengthen enterprises' primary responsibilities. Strive to integrate special equipment safety into government performance assessments, introduce government-led oversight for addressing critical hazards through official monitoring and accountability, and further clarify responsibilities related to safety inspections and examinations. Explore initiatives such as conducting safety management evaluations for key monitored units of special equipment and certifying compliance among special equipment users, thereby fostering an overall improvement in the safety management capabilities of these entities. Strengthen economic regulatory measures by establishing a reward system for reporting violations in special equipment safety inspections, and pilot programs for safety liability insurance tailored to this sector. Finally, clearly define the roles and responsibilities of safety inspection and examination activities, while expediting the review and streamlining of relevant provisions outlined in normative documents, safety technical standards, and regulations.

　　17. Accelerate the development of a dynamic regulatory system. In line with the unified deployment of the General Administration, advance the application of the "Golden Quality Project" (Phase I)—specifically, the special equipment administrative licensing and business systems—and foster seamless data interoperability among local supervision and inspection software platforms. Develop the "Management Rules for Special Equipment Informatization," and issue standardized guidelines for supervisory and inspection data. Continue conducting quantitative assessments of the dynamic regulatory system for special equipment, while pushing forward initiatives like electronic tagging for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders and hazardous chemical gas cylinders. Building on the pilot program that extends dynamic oversight of mobile pressure vessels to the manufacturing stage, gather valuable insights and further expand the scope of these manufacturing-stage dynamic monitoring pilots.

　　18. Accelerate the development of the emergency response system. In accordance with the newly revised "Special Equipment Safety Supervision and Inspection Regulations," ensure thorough implementation of provisions related to special equipment accident prevention, investigation, and handling. Develop standardized guidelines for accident investigation and handling, establish a dedicated team of expert investigators, create comprehensive training materials on emergency response and accident investigation procedures, and conduct specialized training sessions for grassroots quality supervision personnel to enhance their investigative capabilities. Strengthen the construction of the General Administration’s emergency command platform for special equipment, and provide guidance to local authorities in setting up their own emergency response command structures. Foster closer collaboration with professional rescue teams such as public security fire departments, leveraging their critical role as the primary force in disaster relief and rescue operations. Drawing on lessons learned from past incidents like ice and snow disasters or earthquakes, refine existing emergency plans for special equipment and conduct targeted emergency response drills to ensure preparedness.

　　19. Accelerate the development of the safety assessment system. Promote the application of performance evaluation results from safety inspections, with provinces expanding pilot programs based on initial successes. This will further standardize safety inspection practices and enhance operational efficiency. In conjunction with reforms in inspection processes, explore innovative methods for evaluating the performance of inspection agencies. Additionally, launch pilot projects in eastern, central, and western regions to assess and categorize hazardous sources associated with special equipment.

　　V. Other Tasks

　　20. Actively pursue international cooperation and exchanges. Deepen the exchange of expertise in special equipment safety oversight with developed countries and regions such as Europe, the U.S., and Japan, while proactively exploring collaborative opportunities with areas like Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America—creating favorable conditions for China’s exports of special equipment products as well as for inspection, testing, and technical services. Strengthen energy-saving technology exchanges and cooperation on industrial boilers between China and Japan. Additionally, collaborate with the National Standardization Administration to host the annual ISO/TC58 meeting on gas cylinders.

　　21. Organize and convene relevant working meetings. A national conference on safety supervision of special equipment will be held in late February. In late March, the Special Equipment Safety Technical Committee will hold its leadership transition meeting. A national on-site conference focusing on safety supervision and energy-saving management of special equipment is scheduled for July.

　　22. Strengthen the development of the safety supervision team. Assist the General Administration's Human Resources Training Center in organizing one training course on safety supervision for directors of municipal and prefectural-level bureaus, and conduct two assessments for Class A special equipment safety inspectors. Uphold anti-corruption efforts, enhance integrity within the regulatory system, faithfully fulfill responsibilities, and further improve both supervisory capabilities and law enforcement standards.