A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (December 20) appealed to parents to look out for the recall arrangements for a squeeze toy which failed to meet the prescribed safety standards for toys.
"The Department has recently served a Recall Notice on an importer and retailer under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance to recall the squeeze toy which contains one big duck and three small ducks," said the spokesman.
The spokesman pointed out that during a spot check exercise, the Department had identified the squeeze toy concerned which failed to meet the requirements of the prescribed safety standard for toys.
The squeaker at the bottom of the big duck could easily be detached and posed a choking hazard to children under three years of age. The toy has been assessed to have high risk of causing a serious injury. The importer and retailer will be prosecuted in due course.
"Those who have the squeeze toy should return it to the retailer from December 20, 2000 to February 19, 2001 or call the company at 2476 3126 for details," the spokesman said.
"Those who have other toys with suspected detachable small parts should immediately report to the Department," he advised.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to import or supply a toy unless the toy complies with one of the following sets of safety standards:
(a) International Voluntary Toys Safety Standard;
(b) European Standard EN71;
(c) ASTM F963-96a.
The Ordinance carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and two years on subsequent conviction.
For enquiries regarding the enforcement and complaints of unsafe toys and children's products, consumers can write to the Trading Standards Investigation Bureau, Customs and Excise Department at Room 1201-7, Nan Fung Commercial Centre, 19 Lam Lok Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon or call the Customs hotline at 2545 6182.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page :
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200012/20/1220108.htm