Technical barriers may cost exporters US$9bn

Exports from China will face more technical barriers brought on by new rules on energy use and chemical content by major trading partners, state media reported. It cited Li Changjiang, minister of the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ). This growing number of foreign regulations in the US and EU may translate into huge losses for exporters of consumer goods that have to conform to technical regulations and standards or be denied entry. A report published by Xinhua said foreign regulations cost Chinese agriculture and food importers and exporters about US$9 billion per year. Last year, China received 895 notifications of similar technical barriers from WTO members, up 50% from 2002.