The news reached us last week. We are certified! The sales team, led by our China expert Xi Zhao, was particularly pleased and for good reason: it is the certification that secures our future on the Chinese market.
The certificate is awarded by the CSEI (China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute) and is mandatory for us as a manufacturer of valves who wants to sell in China. Without this certificate, companies are denied market access. Unfortunately, there are quite a few companies that do not receive this authorisation and are thus denied the opportunity to even enter the Chinese market, let alone grow.
Three delegates from the China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute (CSEI) spent three days at our BOMAFA headquarters in Wattenscheid and inspected important parameters such as our resources, our capabilities, the production facilities, quality measuring devices such as inspection and testing equipment as well as the team composition and capacities.
With this comprehensive inspection, the institute ensures that the products meet Chinese quality and safety standards. As you can imagine, these were exhausting days. At the same time, and this was important to both sides, they were very much days of exchange and respect characterised by appreciation.
We are convinced that we also owe the positive assessment to our good understanding of Chinese needs. These intensive meetings have not only provided us with valuable insights, but have also strengthened our partnerships and reaffirmed our commitment to successful expansion in Asia.
The certificate issued by the CSEI is now valid for 4 years and can then be renewed for a further 4 years.
With this seal of approval, we will be stronger in the coming months and years. The Chinese market continues to be very important for us. The audit also showed this: The questions and discussions were not only an indicator of the innovation requirements that China places on itself and its suppliers. We were also able to recognise what is particularly important in China now and in the near future.
As is so often the case, the audit was an intensive learning journey to one of our largest target markets. Auditing and being audited across countries, cultures and regulations is no easy task. It requires a high level of concentration, a profound feeling for the intention of the underlying audit questions and the all-important mutual understanding.
All of this was given. We can only thank you for that. Our thanks go to all those who participated intensively in the audit, both internally and externally.
