The Customs and Excise Department today (December 5) appealed to parents to watch out for the recall arrangements for two items of toy face and body paint.
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The toys have been examined and found to have a high risk of poisoning children.
Samples of the two items were obtained by Customs from a retailer in Central in late October, and sent to the government laboratory for testing.
The test results showed that the soluble migrated elements (lead, chromium and barium) in the face and body paints contained excessive lead content of 170 to 2300mg/kg, chromium content of 40 to 310mg/kg and barium content of 520 to 1100mg/kg.
Such levels exceed the safety standard of 90mg/kg, 25mg/kg and 250mg/kg for lead, chromium and barium respectively.
Customs investigation is continuing.
The department has served a recall notice on a wholesaler under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, requiring the wholesaler to recall the problematic toy face and body paints.
Customs has conducted spot checks on retail outlets. So far, the products concerned have not been found in the market.
Those who have purchased the problematic toy paints are advised to contact the wholesaler concerned at 2362 6289 during office hours for returning the products.
Members of the public who come across suspected unsafe toys can call the 24-hour Customs hotline 2545 6182.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to manufacture, import or supply a toy unless the toy complies with one of the following sets of safety standards:
(a) International Voluntary Toy Safety Standard (IVTSS);
(b) European Standard (EN71); and
(c) ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) F963 - 96a.
The ordinance carries a maximum penalty of 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 convictions.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200712/05/P200712050197.htm