China, US sign product-safety pact

China and the US signed a product-safety agreement tightening inspection standards for Chinese exports of food, animal feed, drugs and medical devices, the Wall Street Journal reported. Under the new agreement, companies exporting goods to the US from China must now register with the Chinese government, which will then make inspections and issue certificates that products meet USDA standards. A range of products including farm-raised fish and human growth hormone are covered by the legislation, but the list is seen as an initial version to be expanded if it proves successful.