*********************************************************
The Customs and Excise Department today (February ¢°) alerted parents to watch out for potential hazards posed by a seven-piece puzzle toy.
A recent spot check by Customs officers found that the soluble migrated elements of lead in the coatings of green, orange and yellow colours of a seven-piece puzzle toy contains excessive lead content ranging from 110 milligrammes per kilogramme (mg/kg) to 350 mg/kg, which exceeded the prescribed safety standards of 90 mg/kg, posing a danger of poisoning to children.
Customs officers took follow-up action and seized eight sets of the seven-piece puzzle toy from branches of a chain store. A prohibition notice has been served on the retailer prohibiting it from supplying the unsafe toy. Investigation is still in progress.
A Customs spokesman advised parents to watch out for potential hazards when selecting toys for their children.
Customs conducts spot checks on the safety of toys and children's products to ensure their compliance with the safety requirements of the prescribed standards under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance in order to protect consumers' interests.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply unsafe toys in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty for the offence 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.
To report unsafe toys and children's products, consumers may call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or write to the Consumer Protection Bureau (1), Customs and Excise Department, 14/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
Ends/Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:53
NNNN
