Wu Shiliang, director general of the bureau, said, "By implementing the new regulations, we will enforce the relevant laws to guarantee the quality of imports according to international practices in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement."

He added the new regulations will enhance quality guarantees on import commodities for civil use related to safety, sanctions, environmental protection and public health, with an effort to strictly protect against the introduction of harmful organisms and diseases.

Wang Xiao, deputy director of the Division for Supervision Inspection and Survey, said: "The new regulations are also crucial to the development of Shanghai's economy since China's entry into the WTO."

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine of China has established a list of imported commodities for civil uses which need quality certification to enter Chinese customs when they reach any of the customs houses in the country.

After the importers show the quality certification of imported goods on the list, the bureau will send professionals to examine the goods. If the quality lives up to the standard required, the imported goods can enter the Chinese market, otherwise they will be sent back to the importing countries.

The bureau has issued the list on its own website - www.shciq.gov.cn - in order to keep companies engaged in foreign trade businesses well-informed. These companies can also inquire about the matter online with the officials of the bureau.

The bureau warns consignees or agents of the imported goods on the list that they should offer the import certification and aid the bureau's random examination work in order to avoid unnecessary losses.

The bureau also provides consignees or agents a website - www.cqc.com.cn - where they can ascertain whether or not the importers' quality certification is correct, said bureau officials.

(China Daily April 26, 2002)