DSEDT: Retailed toys on par with national safety standards

Some 79 toy samples sent for testing in 2022 were on par with Chinese safety standards, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) has disclosed.

In reply to lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho’s written inquiry, the bureau said the toy samples tested included childrens’ toys and infants’ products.

In his inquiry, the lawmaker cited the Hong Kong Consumer Council for discovering that all the 19 rubber balloon samples tested contained materials suspected of being carcinogenic. Among them, only six met EU safety standards.

As such, the council suggested people avoid inflating balloons with their bare mouths. Children and infants were also reminded to clean their hands thoroughly after playing with balloons.

He criticized the government for never having enforced any measures or mechanisms to gauge the safety of childrens’ and infants’ toys. He suggested the government take note of Hong Kong in terms of testing and the issuance of warnings.

The DSEDT meanwhile, cited Executive Regulations No 17/2008 as stating that only safe products can be put into the market. In addition, the bureau said it constantly monitors product safety, including but not limited to acting on referrals from other bureaus. It has also conducted site inspections and “regular product tests”. Should problematic products be found, a recall order is issued immediately.

A long-term cooperation system has also been established between the bureau, the Chinese Customs service and neighboring jurisdictions for enhanced communications and upstream handling of problematic products. The bureau believes that the system will “effectively ensure the safety of products circulating in Macau” through regional and departmental cooperation.