Korea holds China certification briefing as consumer exports rebound

South Korea's industry ministry said Monday it held a briefing in Shanghai on Chinese national certification standards for clothing and cosmetics, as first-half exports of Korean consumer goods to China rebounded for the first time in four and a half years.

The briefing, held with the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, drew about 100 participants, including Shanghai regulators, Korean fashion and cosmetics exporters, and testing and certification bodies. KOTRA and the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment co-organized the event.

Consumer goods exports to China reached $3.44 billion in the first half of this year, up 8.7 percent from a year earlier. Fashion exports drove the gain, jumping 33.4 percent to $450 million.

Shanghai regulators explained certification criteria and testing and inspection systems for apparel and cosmetics, along with post-market supervision and enforcement cases. Questions from companies focused on practical obstacles: cosmetics labeling and ingredient testing, fiber content and safety testing for clothing, and the standards applied during market enforcement.

The briefing was scheduled during Shanghai Fashion Week, which ran from Oct. 8 to 12, so fashion and beauty companies and buyers visiting Shanghai could attend. It also served as a venue for exchanges with Chinese certification bodies and networking among companies.

"It is important to resolve companies' questions about local standards and procedures in order to expand our consumer goods exports to China," said Bae Jun-hyung, director-general for trade cooperation at the ministry. "We will continue to communicate with Chinese provincial governments and relevant authorities and provide practical support to ease our companies' trade difficulties."