May 5, 2014

China requires registration of suppliers prior to milk importation

Prior to entry of imported dairy products, China will further tighten quality controls on milk imports by demanding that overseas suppliers register with the country's quality watchdog, state media said.

In order to ensure that their health standards meet Chinese rules and laws, exporting companies must first meet relevant regulations in their home countries, the official China News Service said, citing China's quality regulator.

"Corporate regulation management for foreign dairy producers who import will ... guarantee that imported dairy products sold in China meet Chinese food safety rules and laws from the source," the report said.

It said that the quality watchdog had already certified 1,122 foreign dairy producers, including 41 companies which make infant milk formula. Other companies, it said, would be added in time. Companies not registered cannot import as of May 1, the report added.