August 16, 2007

China's Zhejiang steps up monitoring of aquaculture exporters

The Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of China's Zhejiang province recently stepped up checks on companies that had previously been licensed to export aquaculture products to the US. This forms part of the plans by China's Certification and Accreditation Administration to ensure high standards for exported goods.

Fifty-eight companies in the province were re-appraised in the latest exercise. Companies that were found to have failed in meeting stipulated export standards could face a temporary suspension or have their export license revoked.

Among other things, companies' product safety and quality management system (for raw material supplies as well as finished products) and staff competency level in ensuring product safety were appraised.

Following the exercise, 7 companies that were found to have breached minimum product safety requirements were prohibited from making further shipments to the US.