Unsafe toys prompt concern

MORE than 118,000 toys were withdrawn from shops in Ireland during a five-year period over safety fears, it was revealed yesterday.

The figure was disclosed in a report compiled by the Oireachtas joint committee on European scrutiny, which is examining EU proposals to boost safety regulations for toys.

Fine Gael’s John Perry, chairman of the Oireachtas committee said members were alarmed at the high level of toys being taken off the market.

“At this time of year when toy sales are at their highest it is essential that consumers have full confidence in the products they are purchasing,” he said.

The report stated that, of the 22 million toys recalled worldwide between 2002 and 2007, 118,300 were on the Irish market.

The report — Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the Safety on Toys — also expresses concern that the European Commission has stopped providing funding to collect data on toy-related injuries.

“In order to be able to assess hazards and risk of toys, up-to-date data on the type and nature of injuries caused by toys is vital,” Mr Perry said. “The committee was extremely concerned at the absence of any such arrangement and strongly recommends that steps be immediately taken to establish a mandatory system for the collection of injury information.”

The EU proposals would allow for clearer safety warnings on products, enhanced rules concerning toxic materials in toys, and better regulation for toys that are distributed with foods.

There would also be a requirement on manufactures and importers to perform an analysis of the hazards the toys may present.

“These new EU measures will tighten up the regulations regarding toy safety, which will result in safer toys and reduce the level of product withdrawals,” he said.

Toys are generally imported into Ireland via other EU member states, mainly Britain.

Throughout the EU, it is estimated that 90% of toys are imported from China and other non-EU countries.