As consumer demand for imported luxury goods grows in China, significant opportunity for expansion into the country's consumer goods market exists for leading global brands. However, this opportunity is accompanied by numerous challenges as China has stringent GB standards in place for imported textiles, apparel, leathergoods, footwear and fashion accessories to ensure quality, safety and protection of consumer rights.

These challenges were the focus of a forum addressing the developments and prospects of China's consumer products market, held in Beijing by Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world, and the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI).

The forum enabled the nearly 200 attendees from global consumer goods brands and retailers to gain a better understanding of the Chinese standardization system, the difference between mandatory and voluntary standards, and requirements for importing products. 

Presentations and discussion focused on new standards for imported consumer goods, specifically GB 18401-2010 for textile products, which will be enforced beginning August 1, 2011; regulations enforced by the General Administration of Quality, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ); quality and safety requirements for hardlines and textiles; mandatory certification requirements for electrical and electronic products and toys; and quality requirements, market supervision and inspection procedures for healthcare and cosmetic products.

The event featured presentations by Intertek's China Domestic Market Service division and CAEFI, as well as several high-ranking Chinese officials representing government agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce Foreign Trade Department, Consumer Rights Protection Bureau of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce and the China Quality Certification Center.