Interpretation of the Key Standardization Development Tasks for China’s Sewing Machinery Industry During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period

At this year’s industry conference, the Key Standardization Development Tasks for China’s Sewing Machinery Industry During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (hereinafter referred to as the Key Tasks) was reviewed and officially released. As the overarching strategic document guiding industry standardization over the next five years, the Key Tasks is rooted in the development needs of the sewing machinery industry and directly addresses the standardization gaps encountered in the industry’s transformation toward high-end, intelligent, and green development. It defines the overall objectives, framework, core tasks, and implementation safeguards for industry standardization from 2026 to 2030, providing a solid technical foundation for cultivating new quality productive forces, achieving high-quality development, and strengthening standardization capabilities. The implementation of this plan marks the official transition of China’s sewing machinery standardization work from a stage of “system improvement” to a new stage characterized by “quality enhancement, value empowerment, and international leadership.”

Empowered by the Times and National Strategy: Profound Significance of Standardization During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period

The 14th Five-Year Plan period represented five years of steady improvement and comprehensive consolidation in industry standardization. According to Yang Xiaojing, Chairman of the National Technical Committee for Sewing Machinery Standardization and Chairman of the China Sewing Machinery Association (CSMA), under the guidance of the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the China National Light Industry Council, and through the coordinated efforts of CSMA and the National Technical Committee for Sewing Machinery Standardization, together with leading enterprises, research institutes, and universities, the industry achieved a series of substantive standardization accomplishments, laying a solid foundation for development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

To date, the National Technical Committee for Sewing Machinery Standardization administers 195 valid standards, including 16 national standards and 179 industry standards, forming a comprehensive standards chain covering fundamental standards, product technologies, testing methods, and safety management. Although the sewing machinery industry is relatively modest in size, it remains a key foundational industry supporting the production and upgrading of consumer and industrial products such as apparel, home textiles, leather goods, down products, and automotive interiors. The 15th Five-Year Plan period is not only a critical stage for the transformation and upgrading of China’s manufacturing sector but also a strategic window for the sewing machinery industry to advance from leadership in scale to comprehensive leadership in quality, technology, and services. Against this backdrop, the strategic value of standardization becomes increasingly prominent.

At the national level, the National Standardization Development Outline clearly calls for strengthening the guiding role of standards in upgrading traditional industries and fostering emerging industries while promoting deep integration between standards, technological innovation, and industrial development. Standardization has become a strategic cornerstone of modernization and a critical pillar supporting the high-quality development of manufacturing. As a competitive sector within China’s light industry, the sewing machinery industry must implement the national standardization strategy and reconstruct a modern standards system to support the goals of building a manufacturing powerhouse, a quality powerhouse, and achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This is also essential for enhancing industrial chain coordination and safeguarding industrial security.

From the industry perspective, after decades of development, China’s sewing machinery industry has firmly established itself as the world leader in scale, with a complete industrial system and strong supply chain advantages. Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, remarkable progress has been made in standardization. The standards system has been continuously optimized and improved, implementation and promotion activities have become increasingly institutionalized, and international cooperation has steadily expanded, providing strong support for industrial transformation and upgrading. At the same time, standardization remains a crucial instrument for overcoming development bottlenecks and rebuilding competitive advantages. As the industry transitions away from a traditional scale-driven growth model toward a high-end, intelligent, green, and service-oriented manufacturing model, new scenarios, technologies, and production processes continue to emerge, making it increasingly important for standards to play their role in guiding innovation, regulating development, and enhancing international competitiveness.

The release of the Key Tasks therefore represents a strategic initiative based on the industry’s transformation needs, aligned with national strategies, and benchmarked against international best practices. It carries milestone significance in promoting the industry’s transition from exporting products to exporting standards, technologies, and brands in a coordinated manner.

Targeted Planning and Precise Execution: Five Core Directions for Standardization Development During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period

As technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine vision become increasingly integrated with the sewing industry, downstream sectors including apparel, home textiles, and automotive interiors continue to demand greater diversification, personalization, and intelligence. Compared with the strategic objective of becoming a global sewing machinery powerhouse, the industry still faces multiple challenges, including aging standards, standard duplication, insufficient foresight, weak coordination, lagging talent development, and limited international influence.

To address these shortcomings, the Key Tasks establishes the overarching objective of building a modern industry standards system by 2030 that is “well-oriented, strongly supportive, scientifically structured, and practically advanced.” Focusing on five key dimensions—fundamental and generic technologies, key products, intelligent sewing systems, safety protection, and green and low-carbon development—the document defines the major areas of effort for the next five years, covering the entire sewing machinery industrial chain and product lifecycle.

The first priority is strengthening fundamental and generic standards to reinforce the foundations of industry development. The focus will be on improving standards related to terminology, testing and evaluation, safety, and sustainability. Efforts will continue to fill gaps in technical terminology and standardize English-language industry terminology. Product testing and validation methods will be optimized, while new evaluation systems for stitch quality and equipment reliability will be established. Mechanical, electrical, and cybersecurity standards will be updated to meet the needs of digital production environments. Standards for energy-efficiency ratings, carbon footprint accounting, and green factory evaluation will also be developed to support China’s dual-carbon objectives.

The second priority is upgrading standards for key products and common technologies to support the industry’s move toward higher-end development. Key products are categorized into eight areas: household sewing machines, industrial sewing machines, embroidery machines, spreading and cutting equipment, ironing and fusing equipment, sewing material handling systems, electrical control systems, and functional components. Standards in each category will be updated accordingly. Household sewing and embroidery products will focus on high-end intelligent, green, and age-friendly standards. Industrial equipment such as sewing, embroidery, spreading, cutting, and material handling systems will emphasize both standard consolidation and the development of standards governing digital design, simulation, manufacturing models, classifications, databases, and data-sharing specifications. In the components and manufacturing sectors, new standards systems will be developed to support industrial upgrading, including standards for key component inspection methods, surface treatment procedures, specialized machining processes, and complete machine assembly processes.

The third priority is deploying standards for intelligent empowerment and securing leadership in emerging innovation fields. Closely aligned with the trend toward intelligent transformation, the industry will establish a comprehensive standards framework for intelligent sewing. Research will be conducted on modeling and simulation standards for digital factories, green factories, and digital twin systems. Standards will regulate data dictionaries, data exchange, system testing methods, lifecycle data structures, and data interaction processes. New standards will also define applications involving machine interconnectivity, machine vision, intelligent human-machine interaction, and AI large-model-driven generative design. Furthermore, an intelligent manufacturing evaluation system will be established to assess digital, networked, and intelligent production capabilities at factories, workshops, and production-line levels, enabling standards to drive the industry’s digital and intelligent transformation.

The fourth priority is addressing weaknesses in service standards and extending the industry value chain. In response to the industry's transition toward service-oriented manufacturing, the traditional focus on product standards alone will be expanded into a new “product + service” standards framework. Standards will be developed for typical sewing machinery service scenarios, with particular emphasis on intelligent services such as pre-sales solution customization, after-sales consulting, remote operation and maintenance, supply-chain collaboration, and service capability evaluation systems. These efforts will help the industry evolve toward comprehensive solutions and full lifecycle services.

From the 14th to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the focus of standardization has clearly shifted from filling gaps to improving quality and expanding scope. Building upon the achievements of the previous five years and leveraging China’s competitive advantages, industry standardization will move beyond simply addressing missing standards. Instead, it will focus on solving longstanding challenges, responding to the demands of a new technological revolution and industrial transformation, optimizing existing resources, and promoting comprehensive upgrading toward high-end and green development. The ultimate goal is to establish a modern standards system capable of supporting the industry’s future development.

Industrial Upgrading Requires Standards First: Enterprises Commit to High-Quality Standardization Development

Against the backdrop of profound transformation toward high-end, intelligent, and green development, standardization has become a core engine driving high-quality industrial growth and a key tool for upgrading and enhancing efficiency. Since the release of the Key Tasks, leaders responsible for standardization work within major enterprises have expressed strong support, noting that the document clearly defines the direction of industry standardization during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. It not only optimizes and upgrades traditional standards systems but also introduces new strategic deployments centered on intelligent innovation, technological leadership, and quality enhancement, providing fundamental guidance for technological breakthroughs, product upgrades, and strategic positioning.

Hu Wenhai, Vice Chairman of the National Technical Committee for Sewing Machinery Standardization and President of the Product Division of Jack Technology, noted that previous standard-setting efforts were primarily defensive in nature, focusing on testing, consistency, and compliance. The Key Tasks significantly broaden the scope of the standards system by introducing dedicated frameworks for green and low-carbon development and safety protection, achieving full lifecycle coverage across the industrial chain. He stated that Jack’s standards team will thoroughly study the new objectives, develop corresponding revision plans aligned with the company’s R&D activities, and fulfill its responsibilities as a leading enterprise by helping the industry progress from standalone machine standards toward digitalized standards.

Wang Ruren, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Technical Committee for Sewing Machinery Standardization and Vice General Manager of Meiji Technology Group, emphasized that the Key Tasks closely follow emerging trends such as AI large models, digital twins, and carbon reduction technologies. He stated that Meiji will continue to actively participate in standards development and undertake additional standardization projects, serving as a practitioner, innovator, and promoter of industry standards while helping Chinese sewing machinery standards gain broader international recognition.

Luo Yiming, Advisor to the National Technical Committee and Deputy General Manager of Huibao, observed that the Key Tasks further refine service scenarios and establish a standardized, quantifiable, and assessable intelligent service system. Huibao is currently leading the revision of the national standard for sewing machine sewing-capacity testing methods and intends to undertake additional common-technology projects to contribute to the improvement of the industry’s standards system.

Xu Minhua, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Technical Committee and Director of the Shanghai Sewing Machine Research Institute, stated that the institute and the National Sewing Machine Quality Inspection and Testing Center will fully commit themselves to the new stage of standardization development, completing every standardization task to a high standard while actively contributing to the development and upgrading of testing methods and green-energy-related standards.

Ying Xian, a committee member from the Taizhou Institute of Standardization, expressed hope that the institute could provide technical support in areas such as standards–patent integration, standardization pilot projects, domestic and international standards comparison, and industry quality improvement.

Li Chuanshu, R&D Manager of Zhejiang Chuantian Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., stated that over the next five years the company will focus on developing and implementing AI-related product and industry standards, helping intelligent template sewing equipment reach new levels of intelligence and standardization. Ding Haili, Materials Control Manager of Zhejiang Xinsheng Technology Co., Ltd., noted that the company intends to keep pace with industry developments in standards development, validation, and review. She pointed out that many embroidery machine standards are over ten years old and no longer meet industry needs, and that Xinsheng hopes to leverage its position as a leading embroidery machine manufacturer to participate actively in the development and revision of relevant national standards.

Multi-Dimensional Coordination and Closed-Loop Implementation: Ensuring Effective Delivery of Standardization Tasks

To ensure effective implementation of all key tasks, Chen Ji, Secretary-General of the National Technical Committee for Sewing Machinery Standardization and Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CSMA, stated that the industry’s standardization efforts during the 15th Five-Year Plan period will focus on comprehensively supporting high-quality development. Relying on platforms such as the National Technical Committee for Sewing Machinery Standardization (SAC/TC152) and the Subcommittee on Electrical Equipment of Sewing Machinery (SAC/TC231/SC4), the industry will establish a complete support framework encompassing organizational coordination, process control, promotion and implementation, talent development, and international cooperation.

The industry will further integrate resources across the entire innovation chain, bringing together leading enterprises, universities, research institutes, and testing organizations. The Eighth National Technical Committee has added experts from institutions including Donghua University, Xi’an Polytechnic University, and Orange Textile AI Technology (Hangzhou), with new members accounting for 30% of the committee. Greater efforts are also being made to integrate upstream and downstream resources into major standards projects.

At the same time, the industry will continue optimizing the standards system. More than 80% of the nearly 200 existing standards are product standards, many of which require consolidation. For example, nearly 30 standards currently relate to lockstitch sewing machines. A major optimization initiative launched in 2026 aims to consolidate 41 standards into 12, with the first phase already underway.

Research and development of safety and green standards will also be strengthened. Efforts include revising ISO 10821:2005 Industrial Sewing Machines — Safety Requirements for Sewing Machines, Sewing Units and Sewing Systems and conducting preliminary studies in areas where international standards remain absent, such as safety requirements for embroidery machines and cutting/spreading equipment.

A comprehensive online-offline promotion system will be established to encourage enterprises to benchmark against and implement standards. Each standard will have a dedicated implementation plan, with lead drafting organizations responsible for training and promotion activities. The Association will also publish the China Sewing Machinery Standards Handbook (2026 Edition), which will include 234 standards and serve as an authoritative reference for technology development, manufacturing, and quality control.

The industry will further optimize standards management processes in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Market Regulation, establishing a full lifecycle management system covering project initiation, drafting, review, approval, and implementation while eliminating duplication and conflicts.

International cooperation will also be deepened. The industry will actively participate in ISO and IEC activities, including leading the revision of the international standard Safety of Machinery – Electrical Equipment of Machines – Part 31: Particular Safety and EMC Requirements for Sewing Machines, Sewing Units and Sewing Systems (IEC 60204-31). Cooperation with counterparts in Germany, Japan, the United States, and other countries will be strengthened to revise standards such as ISO 10821:2005 and standards relating to sewing machine needle dimensions and tolerances, thereby reducing technical barriers and facilitating international trade.

Conclusion

Standardization is the cornerstone of high-quality industrial development and a critical tool for cultivating new quality productive forces and strengthening industrial competitiveness. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China’s sewing machinery industry will take the Key Tasks as its guide, adhering to the principles of systematic planning, innovation-driven development, application-oriented implementation, and industrial collaboration. By addressing shortcomings, embracing change, and taking targeted action, the industry will continue to optimize its standards system, deepen the integration of technology and standards, strengthen practical implementation, and expand its international footprint.

Over the next five years, the entire industry will work together to drive the transformation of the sewing machinery sector toward higher-end, more intelligent, and greener development through standardization, building a modern standards system that provides powerful momentum for high-quality industry growth.