China to complete product quality traceability system by 2020

BEIJING - China will complete its product quality traceability system by 2020.

A recent guideline, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and nine other central departments, said the traceability system would target key products, including farm produce, food, medicine, special equipment, dangerous materials and rare earth.

By 2020, a standard and coordinated product quality traceability system will be implemented and social awareness on quality traceability will be increased, according to the guideline.

The traceability system will provide information regarding sources, destinations and accountable persons to reinforce product quality and safety.

The product quality traceability system will raise quality management, encourage innovative quality supervision and ensure the safety of consumer goods, the guideline said.

In recent years, China has pushed the use of information technology, including the Internet of Things and cloud computing, in establishing traceability systems for key products.