Shoddy merchandise: the new China Syndrome
Toxic drywall, of all things, now joins the long list of faulty China wholesale products that have found their way to North American markets, along with coffee makers and cell phones that overheat and catch fire, shredding tires, and poisonous children’s toys.
Consumers can often simply throw away defective coffee makers and the like, but toxic drywall — which emits dangerous gases — promises to be a far costlier problem. The flawed product has been found in 41 states and three provinces — British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. This is being called the worst case of “sick houses” in U.S. history.
But even as the U.S. moves to consolidate drywall lawsuits, lawyers admit that holding Chinese manufacturers accountable is extremely difficult — largely because international law inevitably lags behind international trade. Laws are corrective measures. Opportunities come first, then problems; remedies arrive later.
In earlier “factory to the world” models — like Japan in the post-war years — problems associated with breakneck growth sorted themselves out. Standards rose to meet consumer expectations and import requirements.
But in China, the quality cycle is spinning backward. In his book, Poorly Made in China, manufacturing expert Paul Midler charges that some Chinese manufacturers, eager to win foreign contracts, will submit bids so low that no profit is possible. Once such a Chinese manufacturer wins a contract, it proceeds to cut corners, sometimes endangering customers, of whom there are millions worldwide.
In the U.S., China wholesale products account for 40 per cent of imported goods. Their recall rate is huge: China wholesale products make up 69 per cent of all U.S. recalls of goods both imported and domestic, and the rate is climbing: It was 53 per cent last year.
The usual solution to defective manufacturing — exposure followed by some kind of judicial or government action — is difficult in the case of China. Chinese officials don’t want exposure; nor do those Chinese manufacturers who cut corners.
Faced with mounting criticism, China recently introduced a food-safety law. Critics point out, however, that few enforcement mechanisms exist.
Cheap goods can be too cheap. Each new case of a dangerously flawed product prompts importers, Western retailers, and consumers to push back harder against shoddy goods; eventually Chinese law and practice will squeeze out most abuses. But until then: well, what’s the Chinese for caveat emptor?
From vancouversun
China buyer’s agent. China sourcing agent.
http://www.cnbuyersagent.com/
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/free-articles/shoddy-merchandise-the-new-china-syndrome-1058301.html
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