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On
top of recent issues raised concerning the
safety of food items imported from China,
a growing number of critics are pointing
to safety problems with toys made there,
calling for tougher regulations and monitoring
by both the US and Chinese governments.
This comes after last week’s announced
recall of 1.5 million units of the popular
Thomas and Friends toy railroad system,
after it was discovered that lead-based
paint was used on many of the parts.
Critics
note that each of the 24 toys recalled in
the US
thus far this year was made in China,
and call for stronger regulation and inspection
of Chinese made goods. However, it’s
also worth noting that toys have traditionally
been among the most actively recalled products,
often due to safety issues that don’t
emerge until the products hit the market,
and it’s no surprise all the recalled
toys have been made in China – it
currently manufactures as much as 80% of
all toys sold in the US.
Still,
of the record 467 recalls ordered by the
federal Consumer
Product Safety Commission across all
product categories, 60% were from products
made in China,
up from 36% in 2000.
Many
are calling for increased action and resources
from the commission, arguing that safety
issues are inherently higher for imported
products, especially from China,
and that the commission’s resources
have simply not kept pace with supply chain
realities.
With toys,
safety issues are most prominent in two
categories: low cost, non-name brand toys
sold in dollar stores and other venues,
and counterfeit goods, which are often difficult
to detect. The low price, non-name brand
goods often have murky supply chains and
no major manufacturer or importer directly
responsible for quality or safety, and must
be made for just a few cents, encouraging
cutting corners to reduce costs. The counterfeit
goods look like the name brands, but rarely
have the same standards for production,
including safety specifications.
It appears
that the Chinese government itself is likely
to take some action here as well, worried
these issues could dampen export activity. |
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