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Eversheds supports call for a quality Christmas
Archived article dated Tuesday January 6th 2009
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang has warned Chinese toy makers not to accept orders based on unsafe foreign designs in the run up to Christmas.
This follows the re-call of millions of Chinese-made toys last year due to excessive levels of lead in paint and other safety concerns.
Qin Gang told a news conference: "Related Chinese quality departments continue to increase quality checks on toys, especially those which are exported. If problems are found, then none of these products is allowed to be exported."
China has in the past blamed foreign designs for being unsound or just plain dangerous, and called on companies not to accept orders if they do not think the designs are safe. In September 2007 toy manufacturer Mattel admitted that most of the toys recalled in safety scares had "design flaws" and that Chinese manufacturers were not to blame.
Richard Matthews, head of product recall at Eversheds, comments:
“Since the spate of toy recalls last year, China has taken the issue of product safety seriously, and credit should be given where improvements have been made. The Chinese government revoked several manufacturers' licences and suspended production in many factories. China's State Council also implemented the 'Special Regulations Regarding the Supervision of Food and other Product Safety' in response to pressure from the European Commission and the United States Government following Mattel's initial recalls.
“There will also inevitably be a move to a greater harmonisation of product safety regulations, however this is very much a long term goal. In the meantime, it is important to improve product testing and ensure measures are in place to monitor compliance with new procedures such as laboratory testing for toys reflected in recent US legislation. Although the 'certificate of conformity' system in the US will increase the obligations and costs on US manufacturers and importers, it should help over time to reduce the frequency of major recalls. Practical steps can also be taken to improve border controls and policing methods currently in place.
“European importers need to carry out extensive due diligence on their suppliers, supported by periodic testing of the products that they sell and not just rely upon supplier's assurances that they are safe. This is the best way to avoid a future recall and damage to reputation”.
Tagged as: eversheds
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