Steps taken against EU medical device curbs

China has taken relevant countermeasures targeting the procurement of certain medical devices imported from the European Union through government purchasing programs, according to a notice released by the Ministry of Finance on Sunday.

The move comes after the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, introduced measures last month to restrict Chinese companies and products from taking part in its public procurement of medical devices.

The ministry notice stipulates that for procurement projects with a medical device budget exceeding 45 million yuan ($6.3 million), all EU enterprises — excluding EU-funded businesses operating in China — will be barred from participation.