China cuts govt intervention in health sector

BEIJING - The National Health and Family Planning Commission has eliminated or readjusted administrative approval items for some disinfectants and drinking water safety products.

The commission has eliminated the need to approve disinfectants and disinfecting equipment, except for those produced using new materials, technologies or sterilization theories, according to a statement posted on the commission's website on Thursday.

Qualifications for institutes that appraise chemical toxicity will no longer need verification, the statement said.

Provincial health and family planning agencies are now responsible for approving products related to drinking water safety, except for those featuring new materials and technologies still subject to state approval.

In March, Premier Li Keqiang said the government will cut the existing 1,700 administrative approval items by at least one-third in the coming five years as part of efforts to streamline the government's functions.