China eases export controls on pandemic-related products after US request

China has announced it is easing export requirements for some pandemic-related supplies, no longer requiring they receive domestic authorisation if they are already approved for use in the importing countries.

The decision in late April came after the United States reportedly asked Beijing to revise its new export quality control rules for protective equipment following complaints that the controls were holding up exports.

In a statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce (‘MOFCOM’) said that in order to ‘better support the international community’s joint response at this unusual moment’ it was taking steps including:

‘Enhancing quality oversight for exported non-surgical face masks. As of April 26, 2020, exported non-medical use face masks shall conform with the quality standards of China or other countries.

‘The Ministry of Commerce shall offer a list of validated non-medical use face mask manufacturers with certification or authorization from other countries (see www.cccmhpie.org.cn for updates). ‘The State Administration for Market Regulation shall provide a list of disqualified non-medical use face masks and manufacturers found on the Chinese market (see www.samr.gov.cn for updates).’

MOFCOM said that it was also ‘stepping up’ export regulation for medical supplies.

‘As of April 26, 2020, exporting companies of SARS-CoV-2 testing reagents, medical face masks, medical protective suits, ventilators and infrared thermometers that have obtained certification or authorization from other countries shall submit a declaration in writing together with customs declarations, as a warranty that the products are compliant with the quality standards and safety requirements of the importing countries (regions). The customs shall inspect and release products according to the list of manufacturers that have obtained certification or authorization from foreign countries offered by the Ministry of Commerce.’

Reuters has reported that China had been stipulating that its exporters comply with additional requirements since the end of March, after several European countries complained that Chinese-supplied test kits were inaccurate. Meanwhile, the agency said, manufacturers had complained that extra controls were hampering their efforts to help ease acute global shortages.

See: the MOFCOM briefing at: http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/newsrelease/significantnews/202004/20200402959471.shtml