Commodity inspection and quarantine are major factors in the industrialization of the Republic of China. Their main purpose is to maintain high, standard quality in connection with both economic construction and foreign trade. With regard to overseas sales, the aim is to establish a good international reputation and promote exports. In the domestic field, it is to safeguard the people's health and safety, to protect consumers' benefits, to prevent infectious diseases in agricultural and pastoral products or the spread of plant pests in order to aid the development of agriculture and grazing. The Bureau of Commodity Inspection and Quarantine of the Ministry of Economic Affairs takes charge of this work. Through analyses, tests, evaluation, observation and measurements, it determines whether the commodity meets national standard or particular specifications. This serves as a basis for permitting sales or exports of various products. In recent years, quality inspection work has enlarged its range from the check of imported and exported goods to the supervision of entire production lines, because of the country's rapid industrial and commercial development and the increase of commodity items.
Commodity inspection and quarantine is both an effective tool to promote economic growth and an important factor in economic administration. Domestically, the inspection scope gradually expands and has received much attention and cooperation. The operations of commodity inspection and quarantine include: inspection of imported and exported goods, offers of technical services, issuance of certificates of origin and assistance to manufacturers in carrying out quality control. Inspection of imported and exported goods puts emphasis on the products exported in bulk volume or on those with great export potentiality. Only those that meet quality regulations can be cleared for export. Tests of domestic commodities select those most concerned with public health and security. The quarantine of imported and exported animals and plants stresses the strict enforcement of rules to stop the spread of diseases or insect pests. Offers of technical services aim to help manufacturers analyze and test products to serve as reference for improvement.
Issuance of certificates of origin helps proprietors apply to the purchasing nations for preferential tariffs or to meet other needs. In assisting manufacturers to set up quality control systems, the Bureau of Inspection and Quarantine helps good performers obtain preferential treatment and to be permitted to simplify inspection procedures or reduce inspection fees. Everyone has recognized fully the importance of inspection work and this system appears moving toward the goals of accuracy, reliability and authority.
Sample checking of warehoused TV sets
Noise measurement of R.P.M.B
Inspection of exported canned food
Sample checking of exported fruit
Compressive strength test of products
Inspection of refrigerant in a refrigerator
3 ton tensil strength test for plywood
Flexural strength test for cement tile
Static load test of bicycle frame
Compressive strength test for concrete cylinder and refractories
Spectrophotometer for the analysis of an insecticide
Metallic microstructure examination
Biochemical test of bacteria
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for determination of elements
No-fuse-breaker operation test and interrupting current test
Weathering meter for determination resistance