Comprehensive Analysis of the Inspection-Free System in China: Should It Be Modified, Abolished or Left as It Is?

Abstract

In recent years, whether the inspection-free system in China should be kept or abolished has become a focus for the media, the public, academia and administrators. This article aims to discuss the consequences of the inspection-free system. It is found that the inspection-free products are unlikely in high quality, rather an outcome generated by improperly inflating the inspection-free marks through the interactions of administrations, enterprises, consumers, the media and quality indicators. Due to the great difficulty in inspecting product qualities and measuring their potential harm, the implementation of the inspection-free system would adversely affect the product quality monitoring. As a consequence of the short-sighted consideration at formulation of the inspection-free system, it is suggested to get rid of it. In case that the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (“AQSIQ”) prefers to have the current system kept in consideration of promoting the information access and enforcement efficiency, some modifications should be made in terms of punishment measures, product quality supervision and reserved application.

Key words： inspection-free; inspection-free mark; signal; efficiency