No more toys from China

EU Commission 'overhauling' rules on toys after China scares
16 September 2007, 12:56 CET

(BERLIN) - The European Commission is completely revising its rules covering the manufacture of toys after a series of recalls of Chinese-made goods, Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva told a German newspaper.

"The Commission is in the process of completely overhauling its directives on toys," Kuneva said in an interview with Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

"We want to establish stronger safety standards to reduce the risk of dangerous chemicals in children's toys.

"I will present the new concept by the end of the year," she said.

The commissioner said she was considering recommending inspections of factories in China.

"I cannot rule out inspections of production sites, especially in China where 65 percent of our toys are produced."

US toy giant Mattel recalled around 848,000 toys this month in its third recall of Chinese products this summer due to high lead levels in the paint used on the toys.

In August, the company recalled 18 million Chinese-made products worldwide following fears over high lead levels and small magnets that have seriously injured at least three children.
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