Product inspection system to be changed to product certification system at three stages since next year - Over 180 types of products including home appliances and computers will be subject to the new system first; products that have been issued registration of product certification shall not be inspected batch by batch, but an application for assessment must be filed every three years

Source: Commercial Time11/01/99

Translated by P.C. Lue

 

There will be a significant change in the product inspection system of this country.  The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (the "BSMI") determined to change the Batch-by-batch Inspection System which has been enforced for over forty years to the Registration of Product Certification System at three stages from January 1, 2000.  Over 180 types of products including home appliances and computers will be subject to the new system from January 1, 2000.  Under the new system, manufacturers who applied for registration and were approved can avoid the complicated and trivial inspection procedure of "Batch-by-batch Inspection" before sales of their products.  They can deliver their products out of their factories and proceed with the process of customs clearance instantly to strive for business opportunities.

 

The BSMI is currently making a timetable to enforce the new system in accordance with the Measures Governing Registration of Product Certification.  The preliminary plan is to replace the Batch-by-batch Inspection System by the Registration of Product Certification System at three stages.  Products subject to the new system at the 1st stage beginning on January 1, 2000  include over fifty types of computer products and 133 types of products such as home appliances, motors, switches, plugs, wires, stabilizers, lights, fire alarm equipment, fireproof doors, steel bars, auto parts, gas tools, automatic/manual tools, baby strollers, audio & video products and information technology products.

 

　Products subject to the new system at the 2nd stage beginning on July 1, 2000 include three types of products, that is, safety helmets for motorcyclists, eye protection equipment and toys.  Products subject to the new system at the 3rd stage beginning on January 1, 2001 include four types of products, that is, safety belts for working in a high position, safety belts for mining use, safety gloves, safety shoes, and PVC tubes.

 

　The BSMI indicated that manufacturers applying for registration of product certification must submit two documents: (1) at product design stage - a prototype test report to assure that the product design conforms to the regulations concerning product safety (or electromagnetic compatibility); and (2) at production stage - ISO 9000 certificate or qualified quality control standards.  A certificate of registration of product certification will be issued to the manufacturer whose documents are approved after being examined.  The manufacturer may immediately deliver his products out of his factory or promptly import products after customs clearance.

 

　As there is still a vast proportion of manufacturers who haven't gained an ISO certificate or a prototype test report to date, the BSMI will allow such manufacturers a buffer period of time for two to three years.  During the period of time, the old and new systems will be enforced concurrently.  For instance, the manufacturers of home appliances which will be subject to the new system in January next year may choose to follow the Registration of Product Certification System or the Batch-by-batch Inspection System after evaluating their costs,  but shall subsequently change to follow the new system in the end of Year 2001.