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)