Update on Regulations for Products Exported from China
August 2007 (07B-145)
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Due to recent recalls on toys produced in China, AQSIQ (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China) has issued an urgent notice (#671) to all Chinese Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ) offices to strengthen the supervision on all the toy factories in their area. The key highlights of the regulation are as follows:
1. Export Toys Quality License
CIQ will visit all toy factories that have applied for the Exports of Toys Quality License for products distributed globally. The purpose of the visit will be to re-audit these factories against revised and increasingly stringent quality criteria. Factories will need to pass these audits to have their licenses renewed.
2. Product Testing Report
During declaration for the export of toys, the test reports submitted by a recognized laboratory must indicate compliance with the mandatory safety requirements of the destination country. The test reports are to be issued within one year from a recognized laboratory under the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), which is the China accreditation body for laboratories operating under the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) membership.
3. Raw Materials
To strengthen the supervision of the raw materials used on toys, the regulation indicates that the paints used must be tested before use and be indicated on the test reports, which must be provided during the declaration of the export of the toys. |
Local CIQ Offices Implementation
We understand that each CIQ Office will follow the urgent notice and develop plans to implement the requirements locally and modify the requirements where practical.
 Effective August 6, 2007, the Dongguan CIQ office implemented a
new regulation on toy and textile exports globally and footwear
shipments to Europe.
Effective August 20, 2007, the Shenzhen CIQ office implemented a
new regulation on toy shipments.
Effective August 15, 2007, the Zhongshan CIQ office implemented
a new regulation on toy shipments.
The notification from these local offices indicate that all reports from laboratories accredited under the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), must indicate compliance with the mandatory safety requirements of the destination country before applying for the commercial inspection certificate for customs clearance.
The Bureau Veritas Solution
Bureau Veritas is an internationally recognized third-party testing laboratory accredited to CNAS (China) and HKAS (Hong Kong Accreditation Service), who are responsible for laboratory accreditation in their respective countries. Both these accreditation organizations are members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and signatories to the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA).
Therefore, it is important for clients to understand that Bureau Veritas - Hong Kong is HKAS accredited and their test reports have been accepted given the fact that CNAS and HKAS (HOKLAS) are both signatories to the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). (See figure 1 below for accreditation explanation.)
The Bureau Veritas Shanghai laboratory is CNAS accredited and, if necessary, can assist clients prepare the required documentation. Our joint-venture Shanghai laboratory is named Shanghai SIC-MTL Testing Co. and is listed under the CNAS Accredited Laboratory Directory.
Taking Proactive and Preventative Steps
Implementing the right services at the right point along the supply chain and maximizing the spend of your quality assurance dollars can dramatically increase the effectiveness of a quality assurance program. As the marketplace continues to evolve and shift, it is important to re-evaluate your current program against the regulatory and industry changes taking place today.
With years of experience, a strong reputation and a full understanding of the consumer products supply chain, we are ready to help you get through existing and future challenges. We offer a variety of solutions and services throughout the supply chain.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact your local customer service representative or the Bureau Veritas office in:
Americas: info@us.bureauveritas.com
Europe: info@us.bureauveritas.com
Asia: marketingmail@hk.bureauveritas.com
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Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the information in this client bulletin as a resource of general information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, consequential or other damages (including without limitation lost profits) of any kind in connection with this client bulletin. BVCPS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.
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