Made in China
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Made in China (simplified Chinese: 中国制造; pinyin: zhōngguó zhìzào) is a mark affixed to products manufactured in the People's Republic of China, specifically mainland China. While Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions of China, most products made in those regions are labeled as "Made in Hong Kong" and "Made in Macau", respectively. Although the name "China" is used by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, the label "Made in China" is generally affixed to products made in the former. Products made in the Republic of China do not use the "Made in China" label. Rather, either "Made in Taiwan" or "Made in R.O.C." is used. Currently it is uncommon to see "Made in P.R.C."
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[edit] Marketing significance
"Made in China" is one of the most recognizable labels in the world today due to the large manufacturing industry of the rapidly developing China. The label can be seen on a huge range of goods from clothing to electronics. Some companies, such as Apple, consider the "Made in China" brand to be synonymous with lesser quality goods and as such choose not to include this label on their products. An example of this is the "Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China" inscription found on the back of Apple's Macintosh computers, iPods and the Mighty Mouse. US law requires the country of origin to be visibly displayed on the product, or on the product's container if it is enclosed.
[edit] Controversy
[edit] 2003 covering up of labels
In January 2003, it was learnt that someone had covered up labels with the phrase while President George W. Bush spoke at an event in St. Louis. The White House blamed an "overzealous volunteer."[citation needed]
[edit] 2007 Chinese Export Recall
The 2007 Chinese export recalls were a series of scandals involving tainted food and products exported from China, starting with tainted pet food imported from China to the United States that poisoned pets.[1] The recalls sparked international concern that many products made in China do not meet minimum quality standards. Soon after, the US halted imports of seafood from China after tests detected the presence of drugs unapproved in the US.[2][3] China has gone on record to admit that nearly a fifth of products made in China do not reach minimum standards.[4] Also, some children's toys made in China were found to contain excessive levels of lead, prompting widespread concern. In 2006, shipments of cough syrup and other medicines, imported from China to Panama and laden with the toxin diethylene glycol, caused mass poisonings and killed 83 people.[5]
On December 19, 2007, The US House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 4040) that would significantly amend the current U.S. safety establishment for consumer products imported from China.
[edit] 2008 Chinese milk scandal
One year later, the 2008 Chinese milk scandal refers to a food safety incident in mainland People's Republic of China involving milk and infant formula which had been adulterated with melamine, an organic base combined with formaldehyde to form plastic. The result was castastrophic - By 22 September, nearly 53,000 illnesses, over 12,800 hospitalisations, and four infant deaths had been reported, caused by kidney stones and other renal failure.The chemical appeared to have been added to milk in order to cause it to appear to have a higher protein content. The same chemical was also involved in a series of pet food recalls in 2007.
[edit] 2009 Made in India fake drug scandal
In June 2009, the Nigerian Government Drug Regulatory Authority (NAFDAC) reported about the detention of a large consignment of fake anti-malarial generic pharmaceuticals labeled Made in India but produced in China[6]. The Laboratory analysis conducted by NAFDAC revealed the drugs to be fake and had it not been intercepted, about 64,2000 adults would have been affected. The consignment containing Maloxine and Amalar tablets, used for the treatment of Malaria, were valued at 32.1 million Naira and were produced, packed and shipped from China. After Indian Authorities took up the matter, The State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China was asked to investigate the matter[7].
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Made in China: tainted food, fake drugs and dodgy paint
- ^ Seafood ban latest threat to China's reputation in U.S.
- ^ US halts China seafood imports
- ^ Chinese Regulators Say Goods Substandard
- ^ death toll from Chinese toxins rises to 83
- ^ http://www.zeenews.com/news539187.html
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=9e563abb-9572-4e12-a97b-cbf2f582bc0e&Headline=China+drug+body+probes+fake+Made+in+India+drugs
Fan, Y. (2008) “Country of origin, branding strategy and internationalisation: the case of Chinese piano companies”, Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, 6:3, 303-319, available at http://hdl.handle.net/2438/1593
Fan, Y. (2006) “The globalisation of Chinese brands”, Marketing Intelligence &Planning, 24:4, 365-379, available at http://hdl.handle.net/2438/1285
[edit] External links
- Made in China OECD Observer, November 2006.
- Made in China FT.com IN DEPTH
- Guide to Chinese manufacturing
