In the mid of August, Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) launched a trial Enforcement Regulations on Work of Quality Permit for Exported Toys (Registration). Afterwards, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) released an urgent notice on enhancing inspection and supervision on exported toys and quality permit work.. Government’s work on toy export will be carried out in meticulous way, and its supervision on toy quality will be cemented.

   There is a great difference between the new permit for toy and old one. Journalist of TOY INDSUTRY gets news from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, major production base of toys that, this vigorous rectification on toy quality and safety has forced toy industry to take prompt reaction. To the whole industry, new system will leave deep and lasting mark.

Newly added terms

   Since this summer, a series of high-profile recalls on toys have surged quality problem of toys made in China to the top of wave, imposing severe influence on China’s export toys on repute and image. It is exactly the background for Enforcement Regulations on Work of Quality Permit for Exported Toys.

   As a responsible nation, being practical and realistic attitude all along, Chinese government promises to the whole world that, it will persist in being highly responsible for quality of product. China will keep improving the quality certification system on exported toys, so as to guarantee their compliance with requirement of target markets. Arranged by AQSIQ, during the period from September to December, a special rectification war has been declared against toys’ quality and safety. It is known that, by the end of September, permit for toy export of exceeding 300 companies have been suspended.

   In comparison with old version—Administrative Measures on Quality Permit for Exported Toys, which was promulgated in 1992 and are still effective now, new Regulations and urgent notice see lots of new terms, which can be read in description on certification target, category definition, sampling requirement, inspection standard, audit requirement, as well as content and format of quality certificate of exported toys.

   Secondly, affected by recalls in the U.S., new system advances greater supervision and control on raw materials of toy products. It is stipulated that, in the future, paint, ink and other high-risk surface materials used in toys must come under batch administrative system and qualified supplier recording system.

   Thirdly, Quality Permit for Exported Toys (Registration) will be followed in according with different toy categories, and an administrative pattern of “product type test + enterprise audit + tracking check and daily supervision”. According to actual status of enterprise, inspection and quarantine institute will reduce or remit audit or type test item for those with good repute, perfect management and stable product quality. Product that has gained 3C authorization, in principle, can be admitted for new Quality Permit for Exported Toys (Registration).

   In addition, period of validity for the quality permit will be shortened from 5 years to 3. If an enterprise’ permit is revoked, it can not reapply for it within one year.

Guangdong: all in an orderly way

   The year of 2006 sees export of 14.06 billion US dollar from the province, which composes near 80 percent of that of the whole country. It is known that, among the 3,000 companies that involved in toy export and gain quality permit, exceeding 1,300 are in precinct of Guangdong. These toy exporters can be divided into two major types: OEM and original brand.

   Most of OEM makers are situated in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan, which make up 70 percent of provincial export. Meanwhile, original brand makers and small workshops are concentrated in Chenghai district of Shantou, contributing 30 percent of export for Guangdong.

   In view of Guangdong’s special status in toy industry, Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has attached great importance to it, establishing rectification scheme in a well-connected way. The bureau has arranged and mobilized 174 factory auditor and carry out all-round investigation and audit on Guangdong’s exporting companies in the aspect of quality permit. By the end of September, export permit on toy of 96 factories had been suspended.

Zehjiang: a critical time

   Last year, Zhejiang exported 1.05 billion US dollar of toys, ranking the second among all provinces in China. Compared with other provinces like Guangdong, Zhejiang features abundant categories for its export. Wooden toys and gifts from Yunhe and Huangyan, children’s vehicles from Pinghu, educational toys in Wenzhou, inflatable toys in Yiwu, as well as plush toys from Daishan and Zhuji have characteristic traits, which have significant status in domestic and overseas markets.

   Launching of new quality permit system is considered to carry greatest influence to Zhejiang. The featured wooden toys, as well as scooters, electrical motorcycles and electrical cars used by kids under 14 years old, are all newly covered to categories of quality permit of exported toys. It is prescribed that, applying for inspection will not be accepted if applicant can not offer quality permit for exported toys.

   It is found that, recently, lots of toy markers and traders are in full swing to apply for the permit. However, even if the applicant itself has strict quality control usually, audit and application process will consume 1 month or so. When applicant has no solid foundation and has to make preparation from the very beginning, it may spend 3 months at least before it finally get the permit.

Jiangsu: quality wave urges countermeasures

   As one of the top three exporting provinces, Jiangsu now houses over 400 toy exporting markers, employing over 100,000 people in the business. In 2006, its export of toys amounted to 960 million US dollars.

   Plush toys are strong point for Jiangsu, especially Yangzhou widely spreads its name at home and abroad. Generally speaking, however, toy makers here are in small size and low added value, who are laggards in management comparatively. Considering it, quality inspection departments carry out rectification of “100 Days of Quality Wave”, setting up six countermeasures rapidly to urge health development of toy exporting trade of Jiangsu.