China Limits Carbon Export Restrictions

BEIJING, China – As there are not enough testing facilities the Chinese government is limiting its last month’s announced restrictions on the export of carbon frames. Currently government inspections are taking place in Dongguan, Guangzhou province. Sources in China indicate that having frames tested takes up to three months.

If this is an indication on what will happen when the new policy will cover the whole of China, which according to our sources will happen, the bike industry will have to switch to suppliers in other countries. Or will have to turn to the companies that are cleared by the Chinese government from the mandatory inspections.

End September Bike Europe reported on the restrictions the Chinese government placed on the export of carbon frames. It was a reaction on numerous reports about broken frames in combination with lots of other stories in the European and American press on dubious Chinese products like Barbie dolls, poisoned toothpaste or dumplings with cardboard inside.

Approved testing facilities

Our September 27 report said that: the Chinese government now insists that carbon frame manufacturers must have their products tested by government approved testing facilities before they can ship them. However, not all manufacturers have to comply with these new requirements. Currently, our sources in China name two companies of which one is from Chinese origin that are cleared from the mandatory inspections. Our Chinese sources are worried about the fact that these companies are protected and that other companies that fail the tests of their carbon frames, will be hit hard by the new rules.

Other sources indicate that the effects the mandatory inspections will have are limited because: “It’s a token gesture; there’s no way most of the suppliers would let a minor bit legislation get in their way. That’s why God invented extended lunches and beer with red envelopes.”

Currently the effect on lead times seems to be limited. At least that’s what Accell Group’s Chief Operating Officer Jeroen Snijders Blok said: “I didn’t receive any word from our companies that they are faced with problems. In the October – April period lead times for frames - steel, alloy or carbon – run up to about 22 weeks. We agree with our frame suppliers on an ETA week. In case they need extra time for inspections, they have to start production earlier. So, currently it is not affecting our sourcing.”

The product photo of Xpace previously shown on this page had no connection with the content of the article. In a reaction Xpace Industrial, Xiamen, PRC located in Fujian stated that: “we are at the leading edge of design and professional testing, so to link a photo of one of our most technically advanced products to your story is totally inappropriate. Xpace management is extremely concerned that competitors and/or their clients may unwittingly link your story to this company; potentially causing them severe financial harm.”

• For related items on carbon, click here