HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs today (September 25) distributed pamphlets in Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok and Wan Chai to remind members of the public, and especially parents, about the safety of Mid-Autumn Festival toys and to pay attention to the warnings and usage instructions on them. The Head of the Consumer Protection Bureau of Customs, Mr Kenny Chan, today said when meeting the press at Sham Shui Po that Customs conducted spot check operations in various districts in September and test-bought various Mid-Autumn Festival toys, including lanterns, glow sticks and light-emitting toys, for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Customs will continue to conduct these operations.
During the spot check operations, Customs officers found 10 models of lanterns and two models of light-emitting toys without identification markings (the full name and the address of the manufacturer, the importer or the supplier) and/or applicable bilingual warnings or cautions (with respect to the safekeeping, use, consumption or disposal) attached. The toys were suspected of having contravened the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO) and its subsidiary legislation. Six retailers were ordered to store 157 non-compliant lanterns and 21 non-compliant light-emitting toys in specified places. Mr Chan also reminded parents to pay attention to age recommendations on labels when selecting toys. They should also take heed of the warning labels and operation manuals of toys as well as provide supervision to ensure children’s safety in the course of using the toys. Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply toys unless the toys comply with prescribed safety standards. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction. Members of the public with information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children’s products may call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or write to the Consumer Protection Bureau, Customs and Excise Department, 14/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
