This year, CPSC and some toy companies in US have launched continuing high-profile recalls, which arouse great and profound impact on toy circle in both China and US. As the major toy production and export base in China, Guangdong receives extreme focus. On November 15th, Richard O'Brien, Director of International Programs, CPSC, paid a visit to Guangdong Toy Association (GDTA) by the occasion of US-China Toy Safety Conference and had a good talk with Li Zhuoming, vice president of GDTA.

     O'Brien reviewed that, currently, US congress is now deliberating two acts related to toys, which will be probably actualized in the near future. Next year, US will see stricter requirement on imported toys.

    Chen Huangman, secretary-general of GDTA, Nolan Barkhouse, economy official of U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou, Zheng Dandan, economic adviser, and Sharon Wen, editor-in-chief of TOY INDUSTRY magazine press have participated in the meeting.

    ♦ “I believe, 99.9% of toys ‘made in China’ is in good quality. After the recalls, China is still the largest supplier in US toy market. ”

    Richard O'Brien (O): I am here for sharing information and strengthening communication and cooperation. Firstly, I want to emphasize that, though previously US toy market saw large profile recall of China toys, I believe, 99.9% of toys “made in China” is in good quality. Both of the sides are responsible for the affair, but American importers should assume greater responsibility, for they are familiar with safety standards as well as supervision and inspection procedure in the United States. But they fail to carry it out in a strict way. US government has specific requirement on toy quality and safety, but practical operation relies greatly on importers. If all the sectors from raw material suppliers to consumers are handled well, and everyone does his duty according to related provision, it would be most ideal. After the recalls, China is still the largest supplier in US toy market. Maybe, when retailers take a stroll, they can not find any production base that can replace China.

    Holiday season is arriving when Christmas approaches. US retailers have put lots of toys made in China on their shelves. However, they worry that whether parents would prefer books for their kids, instead of toys or gifts in this Christmas. After all, it needs some time to rebuild consumers’ confidence.

    ♦ “Chinese government and industrial associations have done a lot to guarantee toy products.”

    Li Zhuoming (L): Thanks for your objective appraisal on toys made in China. Indeed, most of our products has high quality. Otherwise, we should not have made up 70 percent of global shares. Chinese government and industrial associations have done a lot to guarantee toy products. As early as in 1992, China issued and enforced a quality license system on exported toys. When it comes to August this year, new version of export license system, along with toy recalling system has been launched in succession. Supervision on toy quality is cemented further.

     Founded in 1988, GDTA has experienced the two decades when toy industry of Guangdong as well as the whole nation makes rapid progress. Run true to form, we have high recognition on quality of toys. In our annual conference, publication and homepage, we spare no effort to propel the establishment of effective quality assurance system.

     As for the recalls this summer, both makers and purchasers have respective responsibilities. Moreover, media play-up also imposes unfavorable affect. However, we regard it as a lesson, and will guide companies against similar risk in the future.

     In fact, we release notice to our members and provide a full list for advice. On the other hand, we call chief executives in leading toy companies together for conference, so as to find countermeasures and solution. Working in with higher governmental departments, we have held several large training courses on quality safety control. Furthermore, TOY INDUSTRY, our professional monthly, as well as Toys and Gifts Purchasing, our homepage, have helped people track the latest dynamics of the whole affair and offered them advice that can used for reference. All these are done to stabilize production and guarantee toy products.

    ♦ “By visiting China, I have a good opportunity to have profound understanding about the China’s operation system in product quality assurance, which is excellent and impressive. It is totally different with that in United States. “

    O: What I see and hear by this occasion has changed my attitude. By visiting China, I have a good opportunity to have profound understanding about the China’s operation system in product quality assurance, which is excellent and impressive. It is totally different with that in United States. We have neither an administrative department, nor a straight through operation system for commodities inspection. The chief structure responsible for safety supervision and enforcement in consumable is CPSC, which is independent of federal government but has close cooperationship with customs. The recall of CPSC is made through market monitoring and toy makers’ volunteering report. This pattern does not adapt to China.

     ♦ “I hope that, Mr. O'Brien can deliver what you see and hear in China to American, making them realize the fact.”

     L: Yes, toy industry in China is huge and involves numerous companies. Cooperation of governments and industrial associations is a must for administration, which promotes healthy development with effective policy and regulation. The wave of recalls has severely damage the reputation of China’s toys and resulted in American misunderstanding. I hope that, Mr. O'Brien can deliver what you see and hear in China to American, making them realize the fact. I expect that they can regain their confidence.

♦ “CPSC would shares information fully with GDTA. ”

     O: I’d love to accept your suggestion I will make more explanation in public after I am back to US. At present, our consumers generally know nothing about China’s quality and safety assurance on toys. Voice of China’s senior officials might be interpreted to a different meaning after reaching US. Some consumers might have worse understanding, thinking that “China’s products are garbage made out of dirty factories…” CPSC would shares information fully with GDTA. In the future, we will communicate promptly the latest policy, regulation and inspection standards of US to you, by the way of email, phone call and homepage link. Thereby, you toy makers can be kept informed and reduce unreasoning production. On the other hand, I expect that, you can adopt effective methods and flexible PR means to deal with American’s misunderstanding result from unsmooth communication.

     ♦ “I’d like you toy companies to be attentive to this news. US congress will probably approve two acts related to toy. Next year, US will see stricter requirement on toy import. ”

    O: I’d like you toy companies to be attentive to this news. US congress will probably approve two acts related to toy. Next year, US will see stricter requirement on toy import.

     Some of congress members complain that, US’s toy safety inspection system is not perfect and they appeal to stricter regulation. The two related acts, mainly included several terms. Firstly, it sees amendment on lead contained in toys. In the future, all toys must not contain lead, and the limit is set to nearly zero. On the other hand, there will be stricter control on trading. Imported toys should come with third party certification, which is a compulsory requirement. Thirdly, penalty on violation will be severer. If problem appears, enormous fine may be imposed on importer, meanwhile, there will be hardly any chance for the fined unit to succeed if he appeals.

     ♦ “Government, industrial associations and companies are strongly convinced. In the future, toys made in China will continue to maintain their brisk sales around the world. ”

     L: Recently, I have visited some toy makers. It is found that, they play more attention to improvement and assurance of product quality. Some make great investment in purchasing and upgrading their inspection facilities. Though there are lots of difficulties ahead, government, industrial associations and companies are strongly convinced. In the future, toys made in China will continue to maintain their brisk sales around the world. Will all joint efforts, China’s toy industry will grow in a more prosperous way, producing more and better toys for global kids. █