Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) distributed pamphlets in Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok and Wan Chai to remind members of the public, especially parents, about safety of Mid-Autumn Festival toys and to pay attention to the warnings and usage instructions on them.

     The Deputy Head (Toys and Children's Products Safety) of the Consumer Protection Bureau of Customs, Mr Eric Leung, today said when meeting the press in Sham Shui Po that Customs test-bought 10 models of Mid-Autumn Festival toys in August for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Results showed that all samples complied with the statutory requirements.

     Customs conducted spot check operations in various districts in September and found four models of lanterns, four models of light-emitting toys and one type of glow stick without any identification markings (the full name and the address of the manufacturer, the importer or the supplier) and/or applicable bilingual warnings or cautions (with respect to the safekeeping, use, consumption or disposal) attached. The toys were suspected of having contravened the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO) and its subsidiary legislation.

     Nine retailers were ordered to store the 104 non-compliant lanterns, 498 non-compliant light-emitting toys and 79 stacks of non-compliant glow sticks in specified places.

     Customs will continue the spot check operations up to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

     Mr Leung also reminded parents to take heed of the warning labels and operation manuals of toys as well as to provide supervision to ensure children's safety in the course of using the toys.

     Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply toys unless the toys comply with prescribed safety standards. The maximum penalty upon conviction 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.

     Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, September 20, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:28

NNNN