BEIJING - China's cabinet has released an amended regulation for the country's patent agencies to improve qualifications for practitioners and supervision on their services.

The new regulation, an amendment to the previous one applied in 1991, will come into force on March 1, 2019, according to a decree by the State Council, signed by Premier Li Keqiang.

To become qualified patent agents, individuals with the required educational background shall pass qualification tests to get certificates, according to the new regulation.

Organizations, either as a partnership firm or a limited liability company, shall apply for practice licenses before offering patent agency services, says the regulation.

Patent agents shall follow the principles of goodwill, fairness, faithfulness, and credibility in their services to clients, taking both economic and social benefits into consideration, it says.

The regulation also specifies the code of conduct and legal obligations for patent agents and asks to improve the inspection and supervision over their services.