Laws of the People's Republic of China

General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine

Announcement No.44, 2006 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China, on Adjusting the Examining and Approving of the Label System on Import and Export Foodstuff and Cosmetics

[2006] No. 44

March 24, 2006

Announcement on Adjusting the Examining and Approving of the Label System on Import and Export Foodstuff and Cosmetics In order to act in the spirit of the State Council of reforming administrative examination and approval, simplify procedures, make things convenient for import and export, after studying, it is decided to adjust the examining and approving of label system on import and export foodstuff and cosmetics and it is hereby announced:

1.

The label for import foodstuff and cosmetics must accord with the provisions of Chinese lawsŁ¬ regulations and coercive standards (corresponding lawsŁ¬ regulations and standards may be downloaded from www.aqsiq.gov.cn /safety of import & export foodstuff and cosmetics /label management of foodstuff and cosmetics). The label of export foodstuff and cosmetics must meet the requirements of the import country /region.

2.

As of April 1, 2006, the label of import and export foodstuff and cosmetics will be examined and approved together with the inspection and quarantine of import and export foodstuff and cosmetics and will not be applied for pre-examination and approval. The authorities concerned at all levels will not accept and handle the application for pre-examination and approval of the label of import and export foodstuff and cosmetics. The exit and entry inspection and quarantine authority shall not ask for the application for coercive inspection by Label Examination and Approval Certificate of Import and Export Foodstuff and Cosmetics.

3.

Local exit and entry inspection and quarantine authorities shall, while carrying out inspection and quarantine of import and export foodstuff and cosmetics, examine whether the content of the label meet the requirements of laws, regulations and standards and examine the truthfulness and accuracy of the content relating to quality. To the label passing the examination, "Label Passing the Examination" shall be indicated in the inspection certificate provided according to rules.

The label of import foodstuff and cosmetics that does not accord with the provisions of national laws, regulations and coercive standards before October 1, 2006 may be altered under the supervision of exit and entry inspection and quarantine authority and shall be granted clearance according to rules.

As of October 1, 2006, any label of import foodstuff and cosmetics that does not accord with the provisions of relative laws, regulations and standards of our country shall be handled according to the provision of Article 19 of Implementation Regulations of Inspection Law for Import and Export Goods of the People's Republic of China, and any label of export foodstuff and cosmetics that does not accord with the regulations of import country/ region shall be handled according to the provision of Article 27 of Implementation Regulations of Inspection Law for Import and Export Goods of the People's Republic of China.

4.

The Label Approval Certificate for Import (Export) Foodstuff and Cosmetics that has already been obtained is still valid. The label of import and export foodstuff may be exempted from label examination if the content of it accords with the content indicated in the approval certificate.

If it needs to change a new certificate because of the changes of new requirements in General Standard for Label of Prepackaged Food of the People's Republic of China (GB7718-2004), General Standard for Label of Prepackaged Special Foods of the People's Republic of China (GB13432-2004) and other new standards, the certificate shall be changed in accordance with the provisions of the Announcement of Examining and Changing the Label Approval Certificate for Import Foodstuff. The closing date for changing the certificate is May 1, 2006. Hereafter, any certificate that does not accord with new requirements due to the changes of the requirements of laws, regulations or standards shall become invalid automatically.

5.

The inspection and quarantine authorities shall, while inspecting and quarantining import and export foodstuff and cosmetics, including label examination and approving, testing and checking, collect the charges uniformly according to the standard for inspection and quarantine charges, shall not collect any charges for label examination.

General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine

March 24, 2006