China: Product Liability & Safety

China's General Administration of Customs has issued new regulations for cosmetics import and export inspection and quarantine, effective December 2026. This comprehensive update marks the most significant revision since 2011, introducing risk-based management principles, smart supervision technologies, and streamlined procedures. The article traces the regulatory evolution through five versions, with particular focus on the unprecedented three amendments in 2018 that reflected China's customs institutional

With the implementation of the Management Rules of E-cigarettes and the forthcoming effective date for the GB Standard on E-cigarettes (October 1, 2022), China has been regularly updating its e-cigarette regulations.

Product quality, after-sales service and product liability concerns have been receiving increased attention in the PRC. High profile cases, such as the recent milk scandal involving Sanlu, have highlighted product liability concerns and put pressure on national and local authorities to enact legislation and streamline administrative proceedings. PRC consumers are becoming increasingly aware of their legal rights and are willing to enforce them, if necessary, through court proceedings. Generally