Chinese lawmakers call for revision of product quality law

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Chinese lawmakers called for the prompt revision of the Product Quality Law at the ongoing bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Friday.

The current product quality law was first adopted in 1993 and amended in 2000.

The law lags behind development and does not address the emerging problems in online shopping, said Huang Huahua, a member of the committee, while reviewing a report on the law's implementation at a panel discussion.

A woman placing an order on a touch screen at a pick-up station of the car-hailing app Didi in Shanghai. /Associated Press Photo

The report said problems such as low-quality products and outdated standards persist, especially in rural areas and online purchases.

Wang Minwen, another member of the committee, said modern business models, such as the sharing economy, e-commerce and the Internet economy are challenging the existing supervision model.

Wang said vendors should be fined for selling products that fail to live up to proper standards. A tracking mechanism for deliveries should also be required.

A woman scanning a QR code on the QR wall in Beijing. /Associated Press Photo

Huang Qifan, vice chairman of the NPC's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, said the revision should be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise it will constitute a barrier to the country's economic development.

Huang also called for the integration of the country's product quality requirements with international standards.

(With inputs form Xinhua)

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