Electronic monitoring system to ensure product quality

China will introduce a new electronic identification, authentication and tracking system to ensure product quality. The new monitoring system is being promoted by the country's quality watchdog, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

From June, nine categories of products, such as food, cosmetics and home appliances, will have to carry identification and tracking codes or they will not be allowed to be sold. The system is expected to cover all products by the end of 2010, according to a circular jointly issued by the AQSIQ, Ministry of Commerce and State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

"The system can trace the whole production and circulation process," said AQSIQ Minister Li Changjiang.

Chen Xiaoying, deputy director of the system's promotions office, said the new monitoring system will also help consumers to get information about their purchases. This can be done by visiting the website www.95001111.com and typing in the trace code, or by calling 95001111. Alternatively, customers can visit any of the designated "service terminals" in stores and supermarkets.

"We're now busy installing service terminals in stores and supermarkets," Chen said.

She added that the system already covers more than 700 million products from 30,000 companies across the country, and is expanding rapidly.