China on Monday announced management regulations on the recall of flawed automobile products, the first step the country has taken to push forward auto recall system.

The regulations are scheduled to take effect October 1. They regulate that if automobile owners or users find any flaw in their vehicles, they can inform and make complaints to relevant departments as well as the automobiles' manufacturers, distributors and importers, and even may put forward suggestions to relevant departments to investigate recalling the vehicles.

If the automobile producers attempt to cover up or not report the flaws, relevant departments can urge them to recall their goods, publicize their misconduct to the public, and impose a fine on them, according to the regulations.

China's State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine is responsible for organizing and managing the recall system.

Automobile owners and users may make complaints online, administrations sources said.

An official from the administration said the recall system will well protect the consumers' interests and help automobile makers to improve the quality of their goods.

The recall system for flawed automobiles is dedicated to forcing the automobile makers and importers to remove the flaws that may cause injury or economic loss by way of repairing, changing parts or taking back whole vehicles.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2004)