The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) has been given a bigger role in managing the country's S&T affairs.

"As part of the country's comprehensive reform, science and technology societies should be allowed to take full advantage of their unique knowledge to take over some governmental functions in an orderly manner," said a work plan released Thursday.

The document, jointly released by the general offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, China's cabinet, cited S&T project evaluation, engineering and technology certification, making industrial standards and recommending candidates for state S&T awards as key areas in which CAST members should have more say.

CAST is the largest non-governmental organization for science and technology workers in China, linking the government and the CPC to the S&T community. It has more than 200 member societies.

According to the plan, as independent third parties, S&T societies are expected to intensify process monitoring, result evaluations and a develop a system to pursue liability in cases of misconduct and errors, setting an example of fairness, justice and transparency for future reforms in the field.

The document highlighted 3D printing, industrial robots, new energy vehicles and traditional Chinese medicine as fields where CAST and its members can coordinate market players in compiling standards.