After Chinese medical supplies were criticized for low quality,[1] including masks, tests and gloves sent to Europe, the Chinese government responded with new rules requiring additional checks before any medical equipment could be exported. The new requirements caused confusion,[2] first with the new certification process through the National Medical Products Administration, and then with additional checks announced on April 10.
China has moved to crack down on a wave of middlemen and companies springing into the medical supplies business to make a quick profit. The State Administration for Market Regulation released a list of legitimate domestic companies[3] authorized to certify the quality of medical supplies for export to the U.S. and European markets. The list followed requirements that certain medical products be certified for domestic use before being granted approval for export.
China’s moves—first to export as much product as quickly as possible, then to thoroughly inspect shipments before they leave port—have both been met with criticism from the West.