Toys News
- China tightens quality control on toys
Date: 28-May-2007 Sources: (Shenzhen Daily)
STARTING from June 1, toys that 'could have a direct effect on the safety of babies and children?have to bear the mark of 'CCC?(China Compulsory Certification) before they can be sold in China, according to a statement issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) and the Certification and Accreditation Administration (CAA) on Thursday.
The targeted toys include baby carriers, shooting toys, dolls, electric, plastic and metal toys, according to the statement.
'Some baby carriers have sharp edges that could cut children and small parts that can easily be swallowed by children,'said Zhu Guangpei, CAA's deputy director.
China exports 70 percent of the world's toys, yet safety remains a major problem for the toy manufacturing country.
On May 18, the European Union Rapid Alert System for Non-food Products issued warnings to consumers of China-made zebra rattle toys after an Irish child reportedly cut his mouth on the toy. On May 15, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 200,000 pieces of children's metal jewelry, also made in China, as the material contained high levels of lead, which is toxic.
'I choose brand name toys if I can afford them. At least the quality can be guaranteed,'said Cheng Rong, mother of a one-year-old daughter.
China unified its compulsory inspection system by setting up the 'CCC?product certification system in 2003 as part of its commitment for entry into the World Trade Organization.
More than 80 percent of the toys on the market had been certified by the end of April, according to statistics from the quality watchdog.
The two administrations urged more toy manufacturers to apply for the certificates, adding they would also launch a crackdown on counterfeit certification symbols.
'I hope the inspection can be a long-term measure instead of a temporary one, especially for Children's Day,'Cheng said.
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