Training Course Attracting Enthusiastic Attendees

Though the wave of “recalling of China’s toys” spread from western hemisphere to the eastern one has been quieted down, the caution thereout should never been neglected.

For the sake of stricter supervision on exported toys, as well as stronger safety consciousness of toy exporters and perfection of their administration, a training course on quality and safety on exported toys in 2007 was hold in Dongguan and Shenzhen from October 11th to 12th, which was sponsored by Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Guangdong Toy Association acted as a key supporter. Here, we deliver readers the latest coverage on the news of the event.

Representatives from toy makers and exporters in Guangdong, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhejiang and Fujian, along with officials with foreign trade and economic cooperation departments and entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau outside Guangdong, have participated in the grand meeting. Fervor of attendees totally exceeds previous expectation.

Experts from Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA), Bureau of Fair Trade for Imports and Exports, entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureaus of Guangdong and Shenzhen, and multi-national companies like Mattel are invited to deliver respective speech on China’s regulation and policy, safety requirement in Europe and the US, and countermeasure against lead hazard and small part design defect.

Officials with Department of Foreign Trade (MOFCOM) and AQSIQ indicate that, as the largest toy producer and exporter in the world, toys “made in China” make up 85 percent of local imports in US, Europe and Japan respectively, which are warmly received by global consumers. A complete industrial chain has been form, covering design, processing and sales. Particularly, Pearl River Delta has evolved into a concentrated center for toy manufacture.

However, most of China’s toy export companies are SMEs. In 2006, there were only 111 companies that recorded over 10 million USD on annual value of export. It is merely 1 percent of total amount of toy companies—exceeding 90 percent companies exported less than 1 million USD every year.

Less organizational and centralized, China’s toy manufacture still hovers around lower-end business on global value chain.

Since this summer, US’s high-profile recalls has aroused great concern in international society. Those resulted from excessive lead disclose management leak during the material purchasing and quality control of China’s toy makers. In view of this, related government departments organize a special rectifying action to improve product quality and food safety national wide, which will last from September to December.

It is revealed that, the action has seen good achievement in the beginning stage. After a comprehensive check against toy companies national wide, over 300 makers are suspended from toy export.

Officials with Department of Foreign Trade (MOFCOM) and AQSIQ lay stress on the following highlights to toy export companies. Firstly, consciousness on safety and quality of exported toys should be enhanced. Quality control must be reinforced from all sectors of design, raw materials purchasing as well as production. Secondly, production must be carried out in compliance with importing countries’ technical criterion and standards, so as to avoid economic loss. Thirdly, makers should receive order prudently and arrange reasonable production according to its own capacity on processing. Fourthly, it is significant to establish China’s original brand for toy business and develop high-end products. Finally, when signing contract, terms concerning quality responsibility should be put in a definite way, so as to avoid operation risk.

It is found that, companies attach great importance to the training course. Not only directors in charge of QC, engineering and production, but also owner of many companies participate in the whole event.