Quality of imports and exports to be enhanced

China will create a national program to monitor quality risks in imported and exported commodities, covering ports to supermarkets, said a recent State Council notice.

The notice aims to improve the country’s pre-warning and quick response system of quality risks in these commodities, which will help protect consumer rights, the docu- ment said.

Channels for individuals and enterprises to report quality risks will be expanded through mobile internet technology.

More information will be collected on counterfeits in e-commerce businesses and cross-border trade in countries and emerging markets involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

China’s “single window” service for international trade, which streamlines customs clearance, should play a vital role in collecting and sharing data on imported and exported goods.

More endeavors should be made to keep a closer eye on safety risks in the design and production process as well.

The notice pledged to establish an assessment center and a national experts committee on quality risks.

Basic research capacity in risk assessment should be enhanced with technical support provided for major quality accidents to be improved.

According to the document, an early warning system should be established at four levels in accordance with potential harm, emergency procedures and risk.

Moreover, the country should improve quick responses with approaches including credit downgrades, product recalls, import and export bans, cargo withdrawals and suspension of sales.

Enterprises are urged to put in place their responsibility in quality safety and risk elimination.

Their performances will be encompassed into the national credit system.