Shanghai has launched six municipal product quality inspection centers to strengthen support for key sectors, including robotics, new energy vehicles, biomedicine, and integrated circuits.

The establishment of these centers addresses a long-standing gap between manufacturers and available testing resources. Previously, many companies faced difficulties obtaining comprehensive and accurate testing services across the research and development, production, and supply chain stages.

The newly launched facilities include the Shanghai Key Ceramic Materials and Devices Quality Inspection Center, the Shanghai Medical Robot Quality Inspection Center, and the Shanghai Green Geosynthetics Quality Inspection Center, among others. Each center is designed to provide specialized testing capabilities and promote innovation within its respective sector.

The Shanghai Key Ceramic Materials and Devices Quality Inspection Center, for example, has invested more than 72 million yuan ($10.31 million) in advanced equipment and now serves over 900 entities. Its capabilities include in-situ micro-reaction testing, supporting both technological research and industrial applications.

Another example is the Shanghai Green Geosynthetics Quality Inspection Center. It has significantly improved testing efficiency by independently developing automated sample preparation equipment.

Collectively, these six centers have invested more than 100 million yuan in equipment during the preparation phase, published more than 10 international, national, and industry standards, secured over 20 patents, and served over 1,000 companies.

Shanghai's inspection and testing industry has grown significantly in recent years. From 2020 to 2024, annual business revenue increased by 45.6 percent to 39.98 billion yuan, while the number of institutions grew by 13.3 percent to 1,332, according to official data.

Looking ahead, Shanghai plans to further expand its network of quality inspection centers, focusing on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and green technologies.

Source: Shanghai Observer