Consumer Product Safety – EU-US-China Cooperation

Dear All,

A joint EU-U.S.-China Initiative on Consumer Product Safety Compliance will take place in the People's Republic of China, from September 19 to September 24, 2008. Product safety is a focal area of concern for the three parties and in the past years, all have made significant efforts. They are now adding a tripartite initiative to the already existing and fruitful bilateral mechanisms.

The programme for the September tripartite initiative begins with high-level talks on 19 September in Beijing. The European Commission will be represented by Mr. Robert Madelin, Director General for Health and Consumers, who together with members of his delegation, including delegates from Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry, will meet with Mr. Wei Chuanzhong, Vice Minister of the Chinese Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), and Mrs. Nancy Nord, Acting Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The joint EU-U.S.-China initiative continues with three one-day training seminars in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai focusing respectively on textiles, toys and electrical appliances. The series of seminars will bring together Chinese, EU and U.S. regulators, businesses, standard-makers and test laboratories. The presentations clarify the European and U.S. safety requirements for the selected consumer products with a view to greater understanding of product safety requirements and thereby ensuring safety throughout the entire supply chain. Talks also cover recent developments and best practices in market surveillance and consumer product safety compliance.

The three parties will also be holding a joint press conference at AQSIQ headquarters on Friday 19th September at 11 am. As places for this press conference are limited, we would ask you to signal your intention to participate by the latest close of business on Friday 12th September.

Please remember that the press conference is under the control of AQSIQ authorities and all we can do is offer places on a first come, first served basis.

To ensure your place at the press conference please contact Ms Wang Nannan.

Email: nannan.wang@ec.europa.eu

Phone: 010-8454 8010

Best regards,

Press&Information Section,

Delegation of the European Commission to China