Wang Kun, deputy section chief of certification department of Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA), is the first guest to deliver his speech at the meeting. From a macro view, he analyzes the general situation of China’s toy export, trend as well as problems and challenge. Particularly, he introduces attendees the system of quality permission on toy export (registration) and compulsory certification system on toys.

Standardized production benefits makers a lot

China is the largest toy production base in the world. During these years, after controlling on industrial environment and adjustment on industrial mix, China has made great progress on innovative power, maintaining sustained growth on export. In the year of 2006, China’s total export of toy recorded 17.76 billion US dollar, increasing by 16.9 percent against the same period of last year. At present, over 70 percent of toys in global market are from China.

In recent yeas, high-tech elements continue to be introduced to toys and technology has gradually become a significant factor for toy design. Hobby, ride-ons, licensing toys, figures, DIY and high-tech toys have gradually become some kind of mainstream. However, Wang holds that, China’s toy industry has not really directed itself to overseas market. A majority of companies are indulged in OEM business, or distributing their products through agents they have not formed appropriate marketing concept that suitable for international market. In addition, lots of toy companies in China have not enough knowledge on toy standard. Failing to organize production according to criterion results in inferior quality and safety standard. As once recall happens, it will not only waste manpower, material resource and financial resource, but also affect China’s reputation on export toys.

Two key administration systems on export and domestic sales

Since May 30, 1992, administrative measures of quality permission on toy export have been effective, Wang says. In August this year, making amendment on the previous measures, related governmental department issued and implanted the System of Quality Permission on Toy Export (Registration), with full consideration on current toy market and new changes of safety standard requirement.

At present, global standards of toys can be divided into two key systems: safety standard in Europe and that in the U.S. All member states in EU carry out standard equivalent to EN71, while U.S. and some countries in South America adopt ASTM F963 and CPSC. Additionally, we see ISO8124, ST and other toy safety standard in Australia and New Zealand. All of these standards share a same trait: covering the basic and primary aspects of toy safety: mechanical and physical characteristics, flammability and chemical property.

As to domestic China, China Compulsory Certification (3C) has been enforced since June 1, 2007. Ride-ons, electrical toys, shooting toys, metal toys, dolls ad plastic toys are firstly involved in the certification system. Related safety inspection covers four aspects: mechanical and physical characteristics, flammability, electricity property and chemical property. As of September 30, 1,264 companies have gone through audit. Certificates that have been issued are 3,525. The system of 3C has been widely acknowledged.

Equating with each other

The high-profile recall in previous time is an alarm for makers, Wang indicates. Inspection and quarantine departments would be much stricter in cementing quality control on toys. To those who have gained 3C certificates, in principal, inspection and quarantine institutes would grant quality permission on toy export. If discrepancy exists in inspection standard, a testing on difference can be carried out after partly acceptance. In addition, inspection result in factory will be authorized by the way of material audit or on-the-spot exam.