Shanghai FTZ simplifies quality testing

Shanghai will start to simplify approval of quality testing institutions in its pilot free trade zone in June, said the municipal quality watchdog on Tuesday.

The Shanghai FTZ will change the approval system on June 1, said Shen Weimin, deputy head of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision.

The time needed for institutions to apply for approval is usually more than one month and that will cut substantially, he said. Except for food, judicial appraisal and vehicle safety, testing institutions in the FTZ will obtain government approval instantly if they promise to meet requirements, said Shen.

The FTZ quality supervision bureau makes checks two months after approval and improvements will be demanded if companies fail to meet requirements, he added.

The Shanghai FTZ, established in September, has eased cross-border use of the RMB, liberalized interest rates on foreign currency loans, facilitated offshore financing and boosted outbound investment.

The Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court issued a guideline for trials of cases in the FTZ, to ensure fairness and efficiency in law enforcement.