Starting from October, China will impose a new quality inspection standard in the toy industry, which will reduce the contents of eight heavy metal elements in raw materials used in toy production.

The new standard issued by the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine last December will cut by half the contents of eight heavy metal elements, including lead, mercury, chrome and barium, which are used in the production of toys. These contents are suspected to have caused conditions like hyperactivity in children, said an official from a non-governmental body.

The current standards check only the heavy metal elements contained in toys' paint and coating, while the new standards will apply to all the raw materials including plastics, wood, plush and other synthetic fabrics.

The new regulation, aiming to improve the quality of toy products sold in the domestic market, will be difficult to implement as it was publicized at short notice and details on penalties were not stated.

"There will be usually at least a one-year transitional period for toy makers to familiarize themselves with the new standards, and to source for qualified raw material suppliers," said an official surnamed Xu with China Toy Quality Supervision and Inspection Center, a non-government organization.

"Although the administration has issued the new standards, it doesn't elaborate any specific measures it will take against violators. This will make our future supervision effort futile," Xu said.

China National Light Industry Council is expected to hold a forum for toy makers next week in Beijing to find out more details on how the new standards will be implemented, according to Xu.

Meanwhile, the new regulation may not impact exports severely because most of the exporters have to tailor-make their products to meet the standards of their different foreign clients.

(Shanghai Daily March 10, 2004)