Numerous countries have stopped imports of Chinese-made toothpaste in recent months for containing diethylene glycol, or DEG, which is also used as a low-cost — and sometimes deadly — substitute for glycerin, a sweetener in many drugs.

A set of “strict certification and evaluation procedures” are being drawn up by China’s Health Ministry and the China Certification and Accreditation Administration, the China News Service said, citing an announcement made during a national symposium. No other details were given.

Last month, the Health Ministry’s spokesman, Mao Qun’an, said at least two new regulations were being considered focusing on certification and inspection standards.

The administration’s Web site said the new rules would “improve the quality, safety and hygiene of oral health care products.”

A spokeswoman from the administration, which overseas certification of Chinese products, confirmed the regulations were being drawn up and said the administration had asked for public opinions last year. Like many Chinese bureaucrats, she declined to give her name and asked that additional questions be faxed.

Worries over the safety of Chinese exports began earlier this year when the deaths of dogs and cats in North America were linked to pet food containing Chinese wheat gluten tainted with the chemical melamine.

Since then, U.S. authorities have also banned or turned away a long list of Chinese products, including toxic fish, juice containing unsafe color additives and popular toy trains decorated with lead paint. Those actions have awakened fears that China’s chronic domestic product safety problems were now becoming a global scourge.

Countries in North and South America, as well as Asia, have banned Chinese-made toothpaste because of its DEG content, although there have been no reports of health problems stemming from the product.

Chinese officials have said tests carried out in 2000 by Chinese experts proved that toothpaste containing less than 15.6 percent DEG was harmless.

Other major buyers such as Japan and the European Union have pushed Beijing to improve inspections as its goods make their way through global markets.

Chinese authorities have vowed stronger safety measures while highlighting problems with imports from other countries.

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