‘Made in China’ toys under scrutiny

Toy distributors have issued tighter quality control on toys made in China following high profile safety scares in Australia, Europe and the US, including toy giant Mattel.

The Chinese government has ordered tighter quality controls on its factories to salvage the ‘Made in China’ brand. Authorities have banned hundreds of factories from exporting potentially dangerous goods. The crackdown has economic effects, as the controls will mean increased costs for importers.
 
Lawrence Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Toys Council estimates that toys could cost up to 15 percent more.
 
Murray Forbes, managing director for Rainbow Pacific and a member of the Australian Toy Association, says he has ceased buying from his supplier in China after finding some had dubious safety standards. "I know now that some of the toys we distributed weren't necessarily compliant," he reports.
 
Although his company has not been affected by recalls, the buying process has become more stringent. The company will not assume that each toy has been tested to meet Australian standards, but will now ensure that it does.