5. Importer validation and registration

Under Article 94 of the food safety law, "Importers shall establish an examination and verification system for overseas exporter and producers; they shall, with emphasis, review the foods, food additives, and food-related products exported to China ensuring compliance with requirements of the FSL, other Chinese laws, regulations and the national food safety standard and bear responsibility for the contents of the food labels and instructions.”

In the future Chinese import authorities, through the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) plans to evaluate all food manufacturers exporting to China in line with provisions laid down in the Administrative Provisions on Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Foods. 

Through this, their products join the current catalogue requiring registration, such as dairy, meat, aquatic products and birds nests, O’Brien says.