4.2.1.2 Measuring quality by commodity description...

4.2.1.2 Measuring quality by commodity descriptions通过商品描述衡量质量

♦Measuring quality by specifications凭规格衡量质量

A specification is a detailed standard of workmanship or materials required to produce a product.A specification may include the composition,content,purity,strength,size,etc.,depending on category of the goods.The precise feature of a specification facilitates production,procurement,and taking delivery by reducing ambiguities and possible disputes.It is applicable for products whose specification information is available,such as most manufactured goods.

♦Measuring quality by grade 凭等级衡量质量

Grade is a rank of quality representing a certain degree of refinement of materials or products,or level of features or functions.Grade is widely used for farm produce such as nuts,meat,fruits,vegetables,etc.,and also for industrial goods.Chinese soybeans are classified into 5 grades based on their pure grain rate.And rawpistachios are generally classified into two grades:open shell pistachio nuts and closed shell pistachio nuts(see Figure 4-3).But a measurement of quality by grade alone normally does not provide enough information about quality.Specifications are often used as supplements.Here is a description of grades of cocoa delineated in the International Cocoa Standards:

Figure 4-3 Grades of Raw Pistachio

“Cocoa shall be graded on the basis of the count of defective beans in the cut test.Defective beans shall not exceed the following limits:

Grade I -

(a)mouldy beans,maximum 3 per cent by count;

(b)slaty beans,maximum 3 per cent by count;

(c)insect-damaged,germinated,or flat beans,total maximum 3 per cent by count.

Grade II -

(a)mouldy beans,maximum 4 per cent by count;

(b)slaty beans,maximum 8 per cent by count;

(c)insect-damaged,germinated,or flat beans,total maximum 6 per cent by count.[1]

♦Measuring quality by standard 凭标准衡量质量

A standard is a set of unified specifications or grades issued by international organizations,domestic or foreign government authorities,trade associations or businesses per se,some of which are compulsory in a certain industry or market.Generally,meeting a standard enhances business image,particularly those internationally recognized standards.For instance,The International Organization for Standardization(ISO)is the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards and facilitates world trade by providing common standards between nations.Over twenty thousand standards have been set covering everything from manufactured products and technology to food safety,agriculture and healthcare.[2]Passing an ISO test enhances business image,customer confidence and saves inspection costs.

However,for certain industries,national standards have to be met before you can enter their market.For example,chemicals exported to the European Union have to pass REACH—Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals—a rigorous test for chemicals.And tools entering the US,UK,Germany,France and Japan have to meet ANSI,BS,DIN,NF and JIS tool standards respectively.

Notably,however,standards can be modified or replaced by new ones.Consequently,if the quality of commodity is measured by standard,it is necessary to mention the version of the standards.

♦Measuring quality by trademark or brand凭商标或品牌衡量质量

A brand of a product is the version of a product made by one particular manufacturer.A brand holder generally wants to pose a certain image for its product,service or business in the minds of the public,in order to highlight its feature or quality and differentiate it from competing manufacturers.A brand thus constitutes identity of a specific product,service or business.The brand image can be expressed in many ways,including a name,a logo,a store decoration,a way of management or a business culture.A trademark is one of the physical representations of a brand that comprises of a name,symbol or design which cannot be used by anyone else.An officially registered trademark is legally protected and known as a registered trademark.Brands and trademarks are often reliable indicators of quality and are welcome in the international market,such as appliances made by Haier and telecommunications equipment made by Huawei.

♦Measuring quality by place of origin 凭产地衡量质量

Some commodities are well known for their place of origin,which has become an indicator of recognized quality.Naturally the quality is measured by their places of origin.A case in point is Shawo radish,a well-known farm produce originated in the village of Shawo and surrounding villages of Tianjin.It has a unique sweet flavor instead of the pungent taste for radish grown in other places.For this reason,it is also referred to as Shawo fruit radish and granted the honor of“National Product of Geographical Indication”.It has been planted for more than 600 years.Since the 1930s,the radish has been exported to Japan and Southeast Asian countries,and is well-known at home and abroad.Other examples include French wine of champagne,Yunnan Pu-erh Tea,porcelain from Jingdezhen,etc.

♦Measuring quality by technical descriptions凭技术描述衡量质量

Technical description is often used for measuring qualities of large or whole sets of equipment with complex structures,which have high standards for material,design and technology.Therefore,technical manuals,booklets of directions,drawings or diagrams are used for describing quality.