Shanghai is stepping up efforts to develop a recycling system for electric appliances and raise public awareness on recycling to reduce pollution.

Used appliances that can be recycled account for only five percent of the electric appliance market in China compared with 28 to 30 percent in foreign countries, officials said, blaming the low rate on bogus products built by illegal workshops and foreign producers' impedance.

Some foreign producers of electric appliances take advantage of the lack of relevant regulations on the recycling industry in China, using special intelligent chips in appliances that make them difficult to recycle, officials said.

The Shanghai Computer Trade Association is strengthening supervision and management on the quality of the recycling products and workers in the industry to regulate the market.

It is also promoting policies on the export and import of electric appliances and electric waste prevention among enterprises in the industry.

The association has participated in several activities organized by local environmental protection authorities to help consumers distinguish counterfeit electric products and illegal collecting channels for electric waste.

(Shanghai Daily November 9, 2007)