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| China launches compulsory product safety certificate |
| CCTV.COM 2003-08-01 16:08:22 |
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If you want to buy a desktop computer in China, beware now. You must make sure the computer carries the new national product safety certificate, or the "Triple C" mark. As of Friday, more than 130 types of products, most of them electronic products, will have to carry the new mark to sell on the Chinese market. But these are just the first batch of products to carry the standard. Eventually it will become compulsory for all manufactured goods.
The Triple C mark stands for "China Compulsory Certificate". The mark unifies the old product safety stamps used in China and is designed to eliminate the confusion caused by the old practice.
To import or sell their products on the domestic market, manufacturers must obtain the new safety mark from the relevant state regulation department. The initial pilot involves 132 types of products in 19 categories, most of them household appliances and IT equipment.
For consumers, this is good news.
A consumer said, "I am going to buy those things with proper certificates because I feel that is safe."
But the new measure does not mean that products with the old certificates can no longer be sold.
Wang Fengqing, director of State Certification & Accreditation Commission, said, "Products made before August 1 or which already carry the old certificate are allowed to remain on the market till they are all sold out. But those made after August 1 that do not have the new safety mark or have not gone through tests will not be allowed to be manufactured or sold any more."
Officials say that about three quarters of Chinese manufacturers have either obtained or applied for the new standard. They make 90 percent of the products on the market.
Meanwhile, more than 200 large department stores in China have announced that they will not purchase products without the new certificate.
A supermarket representative said, "We have strict rules on the products we sell. All electronic products, including household appliances and electronic tools are purchased under tight supervision, and all merchandise in our store will meet the new safety and environmental standards."
The new safety mark will gradually be applied to more and more products, and will eventually cover all types of manufactured products. Officials say they will conduct random tests on manufacturers as well as in the marketplace to ensure that everyone conforms to the new practice.
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Editor: Xiao Wei CCTV.com
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