Abu Dhabi: A total of 18,049 toys available within Abu Dhabi emirate’s markets have been checked this year (2015) to see that they are safe for use by children within the targeted age groups.
The items were inspected at toy stores, gift shops and supermarkets in two rounds by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the emirate’s quality regulator.
A number of toys were found without the GCC standards conformity trustmark, known as the GSO mark, on their packaging. Others did not specify the age group for which the toy was intended. As a result, the QCC issued warnings to at least 15 outlets in its second round of inspections this month (November), Mohammad Al Beloushi, acting director for marketing and communications at the QCC, told Gulf News.
During regular checks, QCC’s quality inspectors ensure that every product displays details for safe use. For toys, classified as a product or material intended for play by children 14 years or younger, this information includes the names of the brand and manufacturer, country of origin, targeted age group and product reference code. The details must be clearly printed in Arabic and English, and must be non-erasable. In addition, manufacturers should specify whether the toy needs to be handled only under the supervision of an adult. The toy also cannot offend any social or cultural values.
“Our inspectors also conduct a visual check to see that toys do not contain magnets, small parts or glass and breakable portions that could pose risks for younger children. Playthings should also be free from sharp edges and metal wiring,” Al Beloushi explained.
If products are found to violate these safety guidelines, a warning is issued to the store, and all non-compliant toys must be removed from shelves. These can only be put up for sale again once they meet all QCC requirements.
“If no corrective action is taken even after testing and re-testing, the product is withdrawn from the market. Such announcements are put up on the QCC’s Manaa website, which features images of all recalled products and the reasons for their withdrawal,” the official said.
Recently recalled toys include floor mats and rocking horses with sharp edges, a set of rattles with small parts that could block a child’s airway, and stuffed toys with loose seams that could cause suffocation if the stuffing is accessible to a child.
“Since UAE is one of the biggest import and re-export markets in the world, the QCC continues inspecting toys throughout the year in order to safeguard children,” he added.
Residents can report incidents that occur due to the use of safe and faulty products by calling the Abu Dhabi Government’s Contact Centre at 800555, or by logging on to the Manaa portal.
