Recently, the General Office of the State Administration for Market Regulation officially issued the “Key Tasks for National Metrology Work in 2026” (hereinafter referred to as the “Key Tasks”). As a crucial guiding document prepared for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the “Key Tasks” cover six major areas and include 53 specific measures, providing comprehensive planning for national metrology work in 2026. Among these, the regulation and industry standards for water meter measurement—particularly those affecting people’s livelihoods—have become one of the key focuses.

Focusing on Public Concerns: Conducting a “Look-Back” Special Rectification Campaign on Water, Electricity, and Gas Metering

Regarding the issues surrounding the civilian “three meters” (water meter, electricity meter, and gas meter) that have drawn public attention, the “Key Work Points” explicitly state that in 2026, a special “look-back” rectification campaign will be launched to address these issues in residential water, electricity, and gas metering.

This deployment aims to consolidate the achievements made in previous rectifications. Through ongoing supervision and targeted remediation efforts, we will firmly prevent any resurgence of problems. The regulatory trend remains unchanged—and in some cases, is even becoming stricter. Market regulators across various regions will further intensify random inspections of water meters in use, with a particular focus on issues such as inaccurate metering, mandatory verification requirements, and overdue replacement schedules. This will effectively uphold fair trading practices in areas vital to people’s livelihoods and safeguard consumers’ legitimate rights and interests.

Regulating Industry Order: Promoting the Revision of the Metrology Law and the Resumption of Administrative Licensing

The “Key Work Points” indicate that efforts will be made to advance the revision of the “Measurement Law” and submit the “Draft Amendment to the Measurement Law” to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for review. At the same time, work will continue to resume administrative licensing for the manufacture and repair of measuring instruments. In the future, market access management will become more standardized and systematic, which will help improve the quality of water meters right from the source.

In addition, regarding key metrological instruments closely related to people’s livelihoods—such as water meters—the state will organize the formulation and revision of a batch of relevant metrological technical specifications, further standardizing technical criteria and providing technical support for accurate measurement.

Strengthen infrastructure: Enhance metrological assurance capabilities

The “Key Work Points” also propose issuing the “Guidelines for Metrological Systems and Capacity Building in Artificial Intelligence,” proactively planning the metrological infrastructure in the field of artificial intelligence.

Emphasize the advancement of metrological data construction and application, and promote the deep integration of metrological data with industry.

Deepen international cooperation: Promote high-level opening-up in metrology.

In terms of international cooperation, we will strengthen substantive metrological collaboration with countries jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative as well as neighboring countries, and establish designated laboratories under the International Organization of Legal Metrology’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Certificates. This will help domestic water meter manufacturers—whose products have reached internationally advanced standards—reduce technical barriers to cross-border trade and further expand their presence in overseas markets.

Source: ShuiBiao.com

Reporter: Li Jingshuai

First Instance: Zhou Qi

Second Instance: Zhang Wenjiang