Hong Kong Customs today (August 10) announced the results of safety tests on baby pillows, in which one model of baby pillow was found to contain a plasticiser exceeding the limit stipulated in the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO) and its subsidiary legislation by more than four times. Members of the public are urged to stop using this type of baby pillow and traders should remove the product from their shelves.
Customs officers earlier conducted a test-buy operation on six models of baby pillows from retailers in different districts for safety testing. Results from the Government Laboratory revealed that one model of baby pillow contained phthalates (a type of plasticiser) exceeding the limit stipulated in the TCPSO and its subsidiary legislation by 4.3 times. It is believed that the baby pillow came from Taiwan according to initial investigation.
Customs officers then conducted an operation last week and seized three baby pillows of the same model from a retail shop.
Investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public that chronic exposure to plasticisers may harm children's health, and cause liver, kidney, reproductive and development system toxicity. Parents should be alert and prevent their children from having prolonged exposure to toys and children's products with excessive plasticiser.
Customs advises members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using children's products:
Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on toys and children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys or children's products. 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 a 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/Monday, August 10, 2020
