China plans to set up a counterplan in response to emergencies
caused by poor-quality products, including foods.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection
and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) has issued a draft counterplan to solicit
advice from the public, according to its official website.
The administration will rate the incidents by four categories
according to its impact, from normal to very serious, and send
warnings labeled by four colors, blue, yellow, orange and red
accordingly, said Wednesday's Beijing News.
Organizations or individuals should report to the local
administration or quality supervision department if discovering or
causing an emergency involving poor-quality products that have
harmed or might threaten public health or safety, the draft
document said.
Any organization or individual must not disguise, delay or stop
others from reporting these incidents, otherwise they will receive
administrative punishment or face criminal charge, the document
said.
The draft counterplan also requires the quality supervision
departments at all levels to work out the first report two hours
after they confirmed the incidence of an emergency.
While accusing Western media of demonizing Chinese products, the
Chinese government also admits that its product quality records are
not perfect, and has moved to improved the safety and quality of
its products.
(Xinhua News Agency October 4, 2007)