On August 15, 2025, the China International Economic and Technological Cooperation Promotion Association's Token Economy Working Committee organized an industry self-regulation and supervision meeting. Attendees focused on the core issues of industry self-regulation and supervision, building a consensus for the standardized development of the industry and preventing systemic risks.
Green consumption points are a new model for promoting consumption developed by the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute). In 2022, in accordance with the spirit of the (Implementation Plan for Promoting Green Consumption) (Development and Reform Employment [2022] No. 107) issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and six other ministries, the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute established a national-level research project on (National Green Consumption Points System and Regulatory Standards), organized experts to conduct research, and formed a research report. Based on practical application, the (Technical Specifications for Green Consumption Points) (T/CIET166—2024) standard was established. According to the standard, green consumption points are a record certificate reflecting the contribution value given to consumers by enterprises after engaging in green consumption. These points can be used to redeem goods and services, or can be exchanged for enterprise profit sharing rights or capital gains rights. In 2025, to promote the standardized application of green consumption points, the Administrative Academy of the State Administration for Market Regulation launched compliance training for green consumption points application.
Currently, the application of green consumption points, thanks to its innovative model and broad development prospects, has become a highly regarded new model in the digital economy field. It breaks the operational pattern of traditional industries and demonstrates great potential in stimulating consumer vitality and promoting the integration of the digital economy with the real economy. However, due to the 'legitimacy' of green consumption points, there have been cases of misuse and abuse in their application. Some enterprises falsely promote 'green consumption points' without establishing real green consumption scenarios, leading to points that cannot be redeemed; the standards for issuing points are not transparent, and rules are arbitrarily adjusted, harming consumer interests.
The Token Economy Working Committee of the National Promotion Association is the organization designated by the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute to guide enterprises in application and standardize industry development. In this regard, Secretary-General Jiang Libing of the Token Economy Working Committee stated that the committee will proactively take responsibility, actively promote industry self-regulation and supervision work, and build a stable framework for the healthy growth of the industry. He said: The association should establish a whitelist system according to the requirements of standards and norms to prevent systemic risks; establish a compliance trainer system and conduct training for compliance trainers; strictly implement a qualification certificate system for practitioners to create a standardized digital business ecosystem.
The funds corresponding to the value of green consumption points are currently the focus of regulation and the key to preventing systemic risks. According to clauses 4.4 and 7.4 of the (Technical Specifications for Green Consumption Points), a value settlement system is implemented for green consumption points. Its value is anchored to the sales channel costs of the goods. When green consumption points are recorded for users as contribution values, the corresponding funds should be deposited into the enterprise's green consumption points special account, which cannot be diverted by the enterprise; or directly allocated to a third-party settlement center's green consumption points special account, awaiting corresponding value settlement. Secretary-General Jiang stated that the association will establish a monitoring platform to conduct real-time supervision and prevent systemic risks.
“Standards and norms are the cornerstone of industry development, and self-regulation is the guarantee for the long-term development of the industry.” At the meeting, participating companies jointly issued the (Green Consumption Points Application and Development (Hangzhou) Self-Regulation Declaration), committing to: uphold the legal bottom line, practice industry standards, standardize promotional language, and innovate compliance operations. Representatives of participating companies expressed that they will operate in compliance with standards and norms, strictly adhere to industry self-regulatory norms, actively cooperate with regulatory work, and jointly build a healthy ecosystem.
Self-regulation is not only a reflection of industry maturity but also a 'safety valve' for sustainable development. The convening of this industry self-regulation and supervision meeting undoubtedly injects new momentum into the long-term development of the green consumption points application industry, which is of far-reaching significance. We firmly believe that only by operating in a standardized manner and adhering to self-regulation can we achieve stability and longevity, and contribute greater strength to the progress of the economy and society.
Editor: Wu Shimeng Xu Manman