To strictly investigate and punish fraudulent practices by product quality inspection institutions in accordance with the law and to unify law enforcement standards, the State Administration for Market Regulation recently issued the "Opinions on the Criteria for Determining Serious Circumstances of Product Quality Inspection Institutions Falsifying Inspection Results or Issuing False Certificates" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions"). The document clarifies five types of situations that constitute "serious circumstances" as stipulated in Article 57, Paragraph 1 of the "Product Quality Law of the People's Republic of China":
First, cases where falsifying inspection results or issuing false certificates constitutes a crime and criminal liability is pursued according to law.
Second, cases where an institution has received one administrative penalty for falsifying inspection results or issuing false certificates within two years and commits the same type of illegal act again.
Third, cases involving the issuance of two or more false inspection or testing reports in key areas related to people's life, health, safety, and public security—such as children's products, road motor vehicles, electric bicycles, fire protection products, hazardous chemicals, civil explosives, building insulation materials, or products under production license or compulsory product certification management—or the issuance of 10 or more false reports across various product quality inspection fields.
Fourth, cases that cause major or exceptionally serious quality and safety incidents or result in severe negative social impact.
Fifth, other circumstances that should be deemed serious according to laws and regulations.
For institutions that violate the law under the above circumstances, market regulatory authorities will revoke their inspection qualifications in accordance with the law, include them in the market supervision and administration list of serious illegal and dishonest entities, and implement cross-departmental joint disciplinary measures.
In recent years, the State Administration for Market Regulation has continuously strengthened supervision in the inspection and testing sector, rigorously investigating and punishing "fraudulent" practices by inspection and testing institutions. In 2025, 4,221 illegal cases were handled, and 403 inspection and testing qualification certification certificates were revoked or canceled. The introduction of the "Opinions" further refines the criteria for determining illegal circumstances, providing clear and unified guidance for law enforcement discretion. This will help enhance the standardization, precision, and deterrent effect of regulatory enforcement.