All companies in Shenzhen are advised to register with a national database called Product Identification Authentication and Tracking System (PIATS), according to a press conference held by the city's quality supervision bureau yesterday.

The national database has been set up to trace and eliminate low-quality products being sold in the market, said Zhang Yiwen, director of the bureau.

According to the bureau, all commodities will have unique electronic tags installed in them after passing a quality inspection and being registered in the database.

Customers can use mobile text messages, the Internet or special electronic tag readers to check whether the product is a good-quality one with the help of a unique bar code printed on the tags. The national database is accessible by calling or sending short messages to 9500-1111 or visiting the Web site www.95001111.com.

Substandard products have been a headache for Shenzheners for many years. Last year, the city’s quality supervision bureau seized fake products worth more than 223 million yuan (US$27.9 million).

(Shenzhen Daily June 6, 2006)