Health Canada has no plans to follow the lead of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and open an office in China.

Workers assemble jewelry at a small factory in Yiwu, China. The toxic metal cadmium has been a common ingredient in the earrings, bracelets, charms and other baubles churned out by local factories. (Eugene Hoshiko/Associated Press)

The CPSA announced Monday it was opening an office in China, the first outside the U.S., in a bid to reduce the flow of dangerous products reaching the American market.

Commission head Inez Tenenbaum told reporters that the "history-making" office would cut the number of unsafe products coming into the U.S. and help raise concerns about toxic metals in toys, faulty drywall and other issues.

China has been working to improve foreign consumer confidence in its exports after a series of food and product safety scandals, such as tainted fish and the use of lead-based paints on toys and other goods.

In a statement to CBC News, Health Canada said none of its officials or inspectors have a physical presence in China. It said any inspections or investigations are carried out by China’s office of quality supervision and inspection.

Any products imported to Canada from China are expected to comply with the Hazardous Products Act. It’s the responsibility of importers, retailers and advertisers to ensure that products coming from offshore comply with Canadian laws.

In 2007 Canada and China formed a joint committee to discuss health issues and signed a memorandum of understanding on product safety intended to share regulatory requirements related to consumer safety.