China Consumers' Association (CCA) said Thursday it would set up special committees to look after different product and service categories to better protect consumer rights.

"It is a new type of organization within the association. We will invite industry experts to join these special committees," a CCA official said. "They will help in handling consumer complaints, oversee the quality of products and services and give advice to consumers."

Some city consumer associations around the country have already established such committees. Shanghai Consumers' Association, for instance, has 12 special committees overseeing a variety of products, including automobiles, jewelry and furniture.

The official stressed the CCA was mainly funded by the government to keep its impartial status and protect the rights of numerous common consumers as stated in the association's amended statute.

It states that the association was allowed to accept donations and obtain legal income on the premise that it was fair and square.

Consumer protection in China mainly exists at the city, provincial and national levels, backed by a variety of administrative efforts and hundreds of consumer associations.

It is seen as furthering both individual interests and governmental concerns for greater efficiency of its enterprises and better products for consumption at home and abroad.

Source: Xinhua