Quality Infrastructure for China's Circular Economy : Standards and Knowledge Practices in the Green Transition

This book analyzes the evolution of circular economy in China focusing specifically on the role of quality infrastructure (QI) in this process. QI refers to a system of knowledge, practices, and technologies that forms the basis for the operations of economies and societies, ensures safety and quality, and disseminates new knowledge that can be effective for the transition to a circular economy. Based on the analysis of a large number of Chinese and Western sources ranging from policy to legal and technical documents, the book traces the evolution of circular economy policies in China and its integration with green and low-carbon policies. It provides ample evidence for the role of QI and its elements, which are standardization, conformity assessment (testing, inspection, and certification), market surveillance, and others, as important components of China’s economic and technological policy toward a green transition. The book will be of great interest to students and scholars from the fields of economics, political and social science, environmental and legal studies. It will also be useful for development specialists interested in China’s green transition and the functions of QI in this context.