The Customs and Excise Department today (December 6) alerted parents to watch out for potential hazards posed by a plastic duck toy set.
Customs officers recently conducted spot checks on retailers supplying toys in different districts as part of safety checks. Test results showed that a plastic duck toy set containing a big duck and three small ducks was unsafe as the small ducks could pass through the base of a testing template, posing a danger of suffocation for children.
Customs officers took follow-up action and seized 268 sets of the duck sets from a local supplier. A chain supermarket which was found selling the toys has also withdrawn them from the market. Prohibition notices have been served on the supplier and the importer, the chain supermarket prohibiting the supply of the concerned toys. The investigation is continuing.
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, Customs and Excise Department, 14/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
Ends/Monday, December 6, 2010
