Watchdog to improve product recall system

Shanghai's market watchdog has established a new recall mechanism to accelerate the process and improve efficiency, authorities said on Wednesday. 

The "green channel" created for commodity producers, businesses and e-commerce platforms features a quick response system to inquiries such as defective product investigation and analysis, recall procedures, and relevant regulations, the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation said. 

Experts will be organized to provide guidance and help companies raise product quality, the administration said. 

It can take up to six months or even longer for the recall of flawed products.

Under the mechanism, businesses will be informed once authorities launch a defective product investigation and they can undertake checks at the same time. 

"The mechanism breaks the barrier of communication between authorities and businesses and tackles information asymmetry," said Gu Zengsheng, an official in charge of product recalls. 

"It is also part of the efforts to improve the business environment of the city," said Gu. 

The administration also plans to establish a public service platform covering product defect and risk information. 

Eleven companies such as JD.com, Pinduoduo and IKEA are the first batch included in the mechanism launched on Wednesday.