October 27th 2009

Product quality officials from China and the US have met in Beijing for their third joint Product Safety Summit. The two sides have pledged to continue to cooperate in this field.

On Monday, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and China's Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further enhance bilateral cooperation in consumer product safety.

China's quality officials said that over the years, the country has adopted a series of policies to help manufacturers improve their product quality.

Wei Chuanzhong, Vice Minister of AQSIQ said "To guarantee consumer product safety is the responsibility of governments of all nations. China places a high priority on product quality and takes responsibility for the health of consumers. It is working with international authorities including the US to increase cooperation and interaction. We also want to learn from each other lessons and experiences as well as methods and techniques to guarantee product quality and protect consumers' interests."

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the two countries will also exchange reviews and information when drafting new consumer product safety rules. The two will continue to cooperate in various forms of working groups. Their future concentration will focus on toys, cigarette lighters and fireworks. Various training programs for suppliers and importers will also be held to boost information exchange. The two sides plan to hold a 4th Summit in the US in 2011.