Published by ChinaMNC · Tangwang
China’s Official Website Identity Label: Compliance Guide for Foreign Founders
A practical breakdown of China’s website identity management system for foreign founders, covering certification validity, inspection schedules, and evaluation metrics based on the Heilongjiang Provincial Government portal’s official record.
Understanding China’s Website Identity Label System
For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China, compliance with digital regulations is essential. One key requirement is the website identity label (标识), an official certification that verifies a website’s legitimacy and operational standards. This article explains the system using the official record of the Heilongjiang Provincial Government portal, published on the China Internet Society’s certification platform. The details illustrate what foreign founders can expect when securing and maintaining a website identity label.
Who Issues and Oversees the Label?
The website identity label is supervised by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and issued by the Internet Society of China (ISC). These bodies set the standards and conduct periodic reviews to ensure compliance. Foreign founders should note that the label is not optional for government-related sites but is also increasingly relevant for businesses seeking to build trust with Chinese users.
Certification Validity and Renewal
For the Heilongjiang Provincial Government portal, both the PC and WAP (mobile) versions hold identity labels valid for two years, from March 5, 2026 to March 4, 2028. This fixed-term validity means website operators must plan for renewal well in advance. Foreign founders should mark these dates and ensure their own certifications are renewed before expiration to avoid disruptions.
Regular Inspections
The label requires periodic inspections. The source lists inspection dates: September 4, 2026; March 4, 2027; and September 4, 2027. The inspection result for the Heilongjiang portal was “passed” on all listed dates. These inspections likely check ongoing compliance with technical and content standards. Foreign founders should prepare for similar scheduled reviews and maintain their sites accordingly.
Evaluation Metrics: What They Measure
The certification process includes quantitative evaluations across several dimensions. For the Heilongjiang portal, the scores are detailed for both PC and WAP versions:
PC Website Evaluation
- Elderly-friendly adaptation (适老化): Self-evaluation 100, institutional evaluation 82, user evaluation 80.
- Accessibility (无障碍): Self-evaluation 100, institutional evaluation 83, user evaluation 84.
- Performance index (效能指数): Comprehensiveness 100%, reliability 100%, robustness 100%.
- Overall score: 85.8.
WAP Website Evaluation
- Elderly-friendly adaptation: Self-evaluation 100, institutional evaluation 83, user evaluation 83.
- Accessibility: Self-evaluation 100, institutional evaluation 80, user evaluation 83.
- Performance index: Comprehensiveness 100%, reliability 100%, robustness 100%.
- Overall score: 85.8.
These metrics highlight the importance of accessibility and performance for all websites, including those operated by foreign companies. High scores in comprehensiveness, reliability, and robustness indicate a well-maintained site. Foreign founders should aim to meet similar standards to enhance user experience and regulatory compliance.
Certificate and Reporting
The certification includes a downloadable report: “Heilongjiang Provincial Government Portal Accessibility and Elderly-friendly Evaluation Report (Sealed Version).pdf”. This document likely details the evaluation findings. Foreign founders may be required to submit similar reports or undergo evaluations to obtain their labels.
Practical Steps for Foreign Founders
Based on the source, here are actionable takeaways:
- Identify the issuing bodies: MIIT and ISC are the key authorities. Familiarize yourself with their guidelines.
- Plan for a two-year certification cycle: Budget time and resources for initial certification and renewal.
- Prepare for regular inspections: Mark inspection dates and ensure continuous compliance.
- Focus on accessibility and performance: Implement elderly-friendly and accessibility features, and optimize site reliability and robustness.
- Maintain documentation: Keep evaluation reports and certificates readily available.
While the source specifically addresses a government portal, the underlying system applies to various websites in China. Foreign founders should consult local authorities or legal advisors to understand how these requirements apply to their specific business.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.