The popular Japanese SK-II cosmetics brand has finally suspended sales in China and will not resume unless Chinese standards are met.

A People's Daily article attributes this to the intervention of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) which tested SK-II products and found many unapproved substances in them.

The article hails the suspension as end to 'super-national treatment' by foreign companies in China as well as a breakthrough for AQSIQ.

There have been many reports in recent years about the quality and shoddy advertisements of SK-II cosmetics. Last year, consumers sued the cosmetic company over the caustic chemicals in the products. The quality supervision sector then investigated the matter and confirmed the issue, forcing the company to remove problematic products from shelves. The company was officially told that if there were any quality problems again, China would cease importing the product.

This is the first time that the Chinese quality supervision sector has conducted an independent investigation into foreign products and identified a problem.

Previously, quality issues with foreign brands have been identified by other countries. Problems with Sudanhong coloring in chilli sauce and KFC, Johnson & Johnson baby products and a brand of pain killer were discovered by either US, British or Indian quality supervision sectors. The internet allows such information to reach China quickly, where it begins its own inquiry into the matter. China acts on information from overseas but doesn't initiate any investigations of its own.

The article also raised questions about whether the Chinese quality supervision sector should consider changing the way it operates by establishing standards for China and then upholding them so a better and safer market is guaranteed.

The article does not deny the merit of competitions that determine good and bad models of a product, which is the usual method in China to identify substandard products. However, many foreign brands have come to China with their big names and quality assurances and been almost entirely neglected by the Chinese quality supervision sector.

The article suggests that the quality supervision sector should conduct investigations all-year- round rather than limiting themselves to checking Moon Cakes for the Moon Festival and liquor in the lead-up to Spring Festival. The quality supervision sector should regularly inspect products on the Chinese market, regardless of whether they are Chinese or foreign brands, and have universal standards for them

Editor: Yan