US expects AQSIQ audits in autumn 2016
04/04/2016
USHSLA hosted a joint seminar in Beijing with the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) on March 28 and later described the event as “a constructive bilateral meeting”.
A particularly important subject for discussion was Decree Number 159, a new regulation that, once fully implemented, will cover imports into China of all non-edible animal by-products, including hides and skins.
According AQSIQ director, Liu Jinlong, the animal health control systems of each country that exports these by-products to China will be audited by AQSIQ. Once a country’s system is approved by AQSIQ, a list of accepted establishments will be created by the national government of the exporting country. Only those establishments included on this list will be authorised to export hides and skins to China. The scope of the regulation does not extend to wet blue, wet white, crust or finished leather, nor will it cover commercial issues related to the trade.
“The implementation of Decree Number 159 is ongoing, and trade will continue as normal during this process, but it is expected the audit of the US system will occur sometime in September or October of this year,” USHSLA said after the Beijing meeting.
USHSLA said it will continue to work closely with US and Chinese government authorities, industry and its partners in CLIA “to ensure a smooth implementation process”.
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