JD Industry and Lab Brands Launch No False Specs Initiative

In research and industrial quality-control settings, laboratory products such as pipettes, analytical balances, glassware, and biological consumables may be small in size, but they can have a direct impact on data accuracy and product quality. At the same time, the laboratory supplies industry has been dealing with fragmented brands, inaccurate specifications, intense price competition, and inefficient procurement. These challenges have increased the need for more transparent standards and more efficient supply chains.

Recently, JD Industry and DLAB (Dragon Laboratory Instruments) co-hosted an industry dialogue focused on the development of the laboratory supplies sector. Entrepreneurs from DLAB, Saining ( Zhejiang SAINING Biotechnology Co., Ltd.), Xinweier, Shitai, Lanjieke, and Youke took part in discussions on industry challenges and digital supply chain development. During the event, the participating companies jointly launched the “No False Specs” initiative, with the aim of improving transparency in product information and supporting a more reliable procurement environment.

Industry Competition Highlights the Need for Better Product Information

Laboratory supplies support a wide range of research and industrial quality-control activities. However, participants at the dialogue noted that the industry's manufacturing capabilities do not always develop at the same pace as its standards, product information, and trust mechanisms.

DLAB Chairman Guo Lei noted that tens of millions of small and medium-sized businesses in China require laboratory products for quality control and research and development, while traditional sales channels can have difficulty reaching such a widely distributed customer base. Lanjieke Chairman Zhang Lei described the current level of competition as particularly intense, especially in terms of pricing.

Saining ( Zhejiang SAINING Biotechnology Co., Ltd.),  Chairman Ding Xianming shared that China's domestic plastic consumables market is worth nearly RMB 20 billion, with imported brands having previously accounted for more than 90% of the trade share and domestic manufacturing accounting for less than 10%. While domestic manufacturers made significant progress during the pandemic through competitive pricing, the industry is still moving from scale-driven manufacturing toward quality-driven manufacturing.

Product specifications were another issue discussed at the event. Xinweier Chairman Liu Kaiming noted that some of the company's glassware has an actual heat-resistance temperature of 280°C, while some products on the market are labeled with heat-resistance temperatures as high as 500°C. Such inaccurate specifications can make it more difficult for buyers to compare products based on reliable technical information.

Youke Chairman Hu Jianli also pointed to differences between controlled testing conditions and actual use in products such as high-precision electronic balances. These issues can affect purchasing decisions and make it more difficult for companies that maintain consistent product standards to compete on quality.

Procurement Remains Fragmented Across Categories and Suppliers

The participating companies also highlighted several practical procurement challenges, particularly the wide distribution of customers, large numbers of SKUs, and difficulty verifying product information.

Many small and medium-sized businesses are distributed across different regions. Although individual orders may not be large, laboratory products are often essential to daily quality-control and R&D activities. Traditional offline sales models can be costly when serving these long-tail customers, limiting the reach of some laboratory brands.

The large number of product categories and SKUs adds another layer of complexity. Shitai Chairman Sun Li noted that some laboratory consumables cost less than RMB 0.10 per unit, while a single product range can contain thousands of SKUs. For buyers, purchasing across multiple suppliers can mean repeated price comparisons, separate orders, and additional communication and management work.

Product information can also vary between channels. Buyers may encounter differences between product images and delivered products, unclear specifications, or inconsistent pricing. Without sufficient technical information, it can be difficult to determine whether a product meets the required specifications.

These issues have contributed to a procurement environment where price, product quality, and information transparency can be difficult to assess together. For the industry, improving access to accurate product information and making procurement more efficient are becoming increasingly important.

Digital Supply Chain Capabilities Support More Efficient Procurement

JD Industry is addressing these challenges through digital supply chain capabilities designed to connect laboratory brands with a broader range of customers while simplifying procurement.

According to JD Industry, many major cities previously had dedicated laboratory supply markets where procurement staff would visit suppliers in person, compare products, and arrange purchases. The company's approach is to bring more of this procurement process online through a centralized platform that supports product access, fulfillment, and transaction management.

On the supply side, JD Industry's “one product, four channels” model connects laboratory brands with large enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, users on the JD platform, and overseas markets. This provides brands with additional channels for reaching customers with specific laboratory supply requirements.

On the procurement side, JD Industry brings together products from different brands and categories, allowing buyers to manage more purchases through a single platform. Instead of communicating with multiple offline suppliers and placing separate orders through different channels, procurement teams can use centralized purchasing, fulfillment, and settlement services.

JD Industry also uses a “self-operated flagship store + official flagship store” model to balance fulfillment efficiency with long-tail product coverage. Xinweier, for example, has more than 700 commonly used SKUs stored in JD's self-operated warehouses, while more than 13,000 long-tail SKUs are available through its official flagship store. This model supports both frequently purchased products and specialized or customized laboratory products. In some cases, researchers can also provide drawings for customized glassware.

Through these digital capabilities, JD Industry is connecting customer demand with production and fulfillment. The approach also creates opportunities for more demand-driven production and customization.

“No False Specs” Initiative Focuses on Transparency

Improving procurement efficiency is only one part of the industry's development. The companies participating in the dialogue also identified product information and specification accuracy as areas that require greater attention.

The “No False Specs” initiative launched by JD Industry and its industry partners is intended to address these issues through AI-assisted review, product verification, and transparent oversight. The initiative aims to encourage more accurate product specifications and make technical information easier for buyers to evaluate.

JD Industry also plans to work with professional metrology institutions on blind testing and third-party verification. These measures are intended to provide additional reference points for product performance and reduce information gaps between suppliers and buyers.

For procurement teams, more consistent product information can make product comparison and selection more straightforward. For manufacturers, clearer verification standards can provide another way to demonstrate product performance based on measurable specifications rather than marketing claims.

JD Industry is also developing a pricing reference system based on transaction, fulfillment, and procurement data. The system is intended to provide buyers with additional pricing information when evaluating products and suppliers.

Digitalization Continues to Reshape Laboratory Supply Procurement

As research and industrial quality-control requirements continue to develop, laboratory supplies are becoming part of a broader shift toward digital procurement and supply chain management.

The industry is moving beyond traditional competition based mainly on price and distribution channels. Product quality, accurate technical information, fulfillment capabilities, data, and service are becoming increasingly relevant to both manufacturers and buyers.

JD Industry plans to continue working with laboratory supply brands to improve connections between customer demand, product development, production, and inventory planning. For buyers, centralized procurement and more transparent product information can help simplify purchasing and improve efficiency.

The “No False Specs” initiative is one step toward improving information transparency within the laboratory supplies sector. Together with digital procurement and supply chain services, these efforts are intended to support a more transparent, efficient, and quality-focused procurement environment.