China better on toy safety but can do more - report
BRUSSELS, June 5 (Reuters) - China has taken steps to tackle toy safety concerns after a string of recalls last year, but authorities should tighten supervision of the sector further, an independent report commissioned by the EU concluded on Thursday.
The European Commission at one point last year threatened to ban toy imports from China after millions of toys had to be recalled because of excessive levels of lead paint and other unsafe components.
The report found that small players -- from Chinese manufacturers to European importers -- tended to be the "weak link" in the supply chain and that final product testing alone was not enough to guarantee safety.
"Chinese enforcement authorities should continue to strengthen the supervision efforts vis-a-vis the Chinese toy industry, especially focusing on the weaker manufacturers," the report by independent experts concluded.
"Despite the many efforts undertaken by the various actors in the toy supply chain ... there are still too many unsafe toys appearing on the EU market," European Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said in a statement.
She added she would present the main recommendations of the report to Chinese authorities during a visit this month, while stressing that the report recommendations were directed at all players in the supply chain.
Some 85 percent of toys on the European market originate from China. The report cited data showing that toys accounted for just 1 percent of all home and leisure accidents, with risks including choking, or exposure to banned chemicals.
The recalls prompted China to strengthen the controls for toys, auditing manufacturers and revoking the export licence of 701 companies, the report said, while signalling continued concerns.
"Product safety cannot be guaranteed only by final product testing, but ... has to be embedded in the entire product development and production process," it found.
"It has become clear that many of the smaller economic operators (whether on the European or on the Chinese side) are far less well-equipped to deal with safety issues," it added. (Reporting by Mark John)
