SC Johnson, the US-based household cleaning and storage products manufacturer, opened China's first Entomology Research Center on Monday in Shanghai, to better support the fast growing Chinese market and help develop standards for the household pesticide industry in China.

Sui Pengfei, director of the Chinese Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals of Ministry of Agriculture, said the authority is looking forward to sharing the research achievements and cooperating with the company in enhancing pesticide standards in China.

The household pesticide industry in China generates up to 7 billion yuan ($1.14 billion) in revenue annually, according to a survey by research institution Nielsen.

The 300-square-meter ERC, the first of its kind in China, includes rearing, preparation and test laboratories as well as an insectary, where insects are raised under strict sanitation and quality control standards so that company researchers can study their behavior. The center also houses different sized testing centers that mimic various home environments, such as bedrooms and living rooms, where product performance is evaluated.