Published Friday, 01 August, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine recalls toy from Ekka showbags over lead concerns
The Office of Fair Trading has removed a toy porcelain clown doll from a Brisbane Exhibition showbag and requested the distributor recall it nationally after testing found it contained dangerous lead levels.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the toy was discovered during annual Ekka showbag inspections conducted by product safety officers from the Office of Fair Trading.
“Interim test results on the paint on a porcelain clown doll found it had at least 30 times more than the acceptable lead levels set out by mandatory safety standards,” Mr Shine said.
“Product safety officers have inspected hundreds of showbag toys and novelties over the past few weeks to ensure they comply with mandatory safety standards.
“A random selection of items including toys, novelties and some jewellery were selected from showbags and tested for compliance with migratory lead levels.”
Under the safety standard the acceptable level of lead in toys is 90 milligrams per kilogram.
“The laboratory has returned the interim test results today showing the toy clown measured 3300 milligrams per kilogram which clearly fails the toy safety standard,” Mr Shine said.
“Product safety officers have instructed the supplier of the toy to remove it from sale in showbags and the toy will not be sold at the Ekka.”
Mr Shine said urgent investigations were taking place to find out if the toy has been sold elsewhere and what further action is required in relation to the supplier.
“The Office of Fair Trading is also working with interstate fair trading agencies to determine whether it has been sold elsewhere,” he said.
“This is a good example of the effectiveness of pre-show compliance work over recent weeks by the Product Safety Unit.
“Safety requirements for lead in toys were introduced in Queensland in November 2007 following worldwide recalls of popular toys due to excessive lead levels.
“We are keen to ensure lead in toys does not re-emerge as a problem in the future.
Toy safety is a priority for the Bligh Government as indicated by announcement of the National Toy Summit to be held in Brisbane on Wednesday 10 September.
“In light of world-wide concerns over the safety of toys, I have taken the initiative of staging a National Toy Summit in Brisbane to tackle toy safety issues nationally,” Mr Shine said.
“The summit will be the first of its kind and will enable industry, government and consumer groups to come together to develop a roadmap to improve the safety of toys.
“Product safety officers will also be out and about during the EKKA conducting spot checks on showbags and other products on sale.”
Mr Shine said parents also had an important role to play in making sure showbag toys were safe for children to play with.
“Consider the safety of items and only buy show bags that are labelled as suitable for the age of your child.
“If any consumers find a toy or novelty they think is unsafe they should report it to the Office of Fair Trading.”
For more consumer tips and product safety guidelines on safety of toys and novelties being supplied at shows visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Kate Lennox, 32247481 or 0421127869
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the toy was discovered during annual Ekka showbag inspections conducted by product safety officers from the Office of Fair Trading.
“Interim test results on the paint on a porcelain clown doll found it had at least 30 times more than the acceptable lead levels set out by mandatory safety standards,” Mr Shine said.
“Product safety officers have inspected hundreds of showbag toys and novelties over the past few weeks to ensure they comply with mandatory safety standards.
“A random selection of items including toys, novelties and some jewellery were selected from showbags and tested for compliance with migratory lead levels.”
Under the safety standard the acceptable level of lead in toys is 90 milligrams per kilogram.
“The laboratory has returned the interim test results today showing the toy clown measured 3300 milligrams per kilogram which clearly fails the toy safety standard,” Mr Shine said.
“Product safety officers have instructed the supplier of the toy to remove it from sale in showbags and the toy will not be sold at the Ekka.”
Mr Shine said urgent investigations were taking place to find out if the toy has been sold elsewhere and what further action is required in relation to the supplier.
“The Office of Fair Trading is also working with interstate fair trading agencies to determine whether it has been sold elsewhere,” he said.
“This is a good example of the effectiveness of pre-show compliance work over recent weeks by the Product Safety Unit.
“Safety requirements for lead in toys were introduced in Queensland in November 2007 following worldwide recalls of popular toys due to excessive lead levels.
“We are keen to ensure lead in toys does not re-emerge as a problem in the future.
Toy safety is a priority for the Bligh Government as indicated by announcement of the National Toy Summit to be held in Brisbane on Wednesday 10 September.
“In light of world-wide concerns over the safety of toys, I have taken the initiative of staging a National Toy Summit in Brisbane to tackle toy safety issues nationally,” Mr Shine said.
“The summit will be the first of its kind and will enable industry, government and consumer groups to come together to develop a roadmap to improve the safety of toys.
“Product safety officers will also be out and about during the EKKA conducting spot checks on showbags and other products on sale.”
Mr Shine said parents also had an important role to play in making sure showbag toys were safe for children to play with.
“Consider the safety of items and only buy show bags that are labelled as suitable for the age of your child.
“If any consumers find a toy or novelty they think is unsafe they should report it to the Office of Fair Trading.”
For more consumer tips and product safety guidelines on safety of toys and novelties being supplied at shows visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Kate Lennox, 32247481 or 0421127869