Watchdogs need to bark

Why is it so difficult for Chinese consumers to feel safe even when they buy products with quality guarantees issued by the authorities?

Consumer angst about product safety has come to the fore once again following an anonymous post on the Internet on Feb 16, which claimed that the formaldehyde levels in the composite floorboards produced by Ark Floors, a Shanghai-based floorboard manufacturer, exceed the national safety standards.

Ark Floors has denied the allegation and has disclosed quality inspection reports for all of its products, as well as the results of the latest rounds of spot checks.