Zhou Ming, secretary-general of the Consumer Electronics Product After-Sales Service Commission of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce, disclosed at the China Digital Television Industry Terminal Product Development Forum 2006 that a new standard regarding the after-sales service for consumer electronics manufacturers will come out in May 2007.

Zhou said that of all the complaints they receive from consumers, most are made about the maintenance fees of flat screen televisions, which was said to be too high. Consumers currently need to pay as much as CNY5000-6000 for changing the display screen of those televisions.

Zhou said that the new standard will stipulate both the starting time and ending time of an electronic manufacturer's after-sales service warranty period and detail the kinds of services that the enterprise should provide to consumers during the valid after-sales service period.

Zhou said that they would carry out special inspections in cooperation with the concerned departments within the relevant enterprises after this new standard takes effect to ensure that consumers are protected.