A symposia concerning Sino-US toy safety was held in Guangzhou on September 18, when China and United States were engaged in a dialogue on the much concerned Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP) by the toy industry. Toy Industry Association (TIA) of US, along with American National Standards Institute (ANSI), described on the reason why insisting on the implementation of the TSCP. Representatives of China’s inspection institutions, enterprises and the concerning people attended the meeting. Delegates had a warm discussion on issues of common concern.

 

Zhang Jinding, official of Bureau of Fair Trade for Imports and Exports (MOFCOM)

First of all, seeing from the changes of China's toy exports to the United States, in 2007 it was 3.69 billion U.S. dollars, but from January to July of 2008 it was 1.62 billion U.S. dollars, declining by 5.6 percent. This includes the influence of the recession the world economy facing and at the same time shows that the toy recall in 2007 triggered the American public on the overall quality of Chinese products. The launch of TSCP has aroused great attention of the relevant Chinese government departments. At the same time of fully understanding the background and good will of the United States, we have to clearly recognize that promoting a new audit program is a very serious matter for enterprises. Through several times of communication, enhancement of understanding and establishing an effective mechanism for training, the trade of two sides would walk toward a situation with mutual benefit.

 

Jiang Wenbo, Dept. 6, China Quality Certification Center (CQC)

A majority of Chinese toy business abides by law and gives regard to quality. China’s regulatory agencies are strict and effective than any other organs. China and US can compare the various elements of TSCP with 3C, in particular the assessment of the design, requirements of factory’s quality assurance capacity, factory inspection key controlling point and lab requirements. It is best to maintain consistency of TSCP and 3C.

 

A well-known U.S. brand toymaker has nearly 50 factories in China which have all received 3C certification. China's toy 3C and licensing system on toy exports have included the basic content of TSCP. If certificates under the two systems can be exchanged, it will greatly alleviate the burden on enterprises. We are able to further in accordance with the U.S. request to submit the examination list of 3C certification for comparison.

 

Li Hong, representative of Dongguan-based Intex Toys Co., Ltd

Security systems of Chinese toy products now includes Implementation Detailed Rules of Export Quality License (Registration), product quality control system, batch detection system of dangerous chemicals coating the surface and inspection provision on toys before they leave factory. In particular, it covers the first product filing system of 11 categories of toys, which is practical and greatly enhances the sense of security of China's toy product business. In addition, management on incoming materials, production and process control as well as control and dates back of the final product are extremely the same as that of the TSCP.

 

Representative of technical center of Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau

Audit requirement for Implementation Detailed Rules of Export Quality License (Registration) and License (Registration) of Production and Export Enterprises were more or less the same with TSCP. Although there are a few differences, they can be narrowed as much as possible through the two sides’ co-ordination. The Chinese government has devoted a large number of human and material to the regulation of the toy business and also received a significant effect and testing lab of Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau is authorized and capable of assuming third-party certification and testing.

 

Elise Onen, representative of TIA

TSCP has a clear audit requirements and the guide of authorization labs qualification has been strongly supported by our members and the merchants of big brands. It holds much market shares. We plan to visit the labs of China’s inspection and quarantine institutes In the near future, which will be in inclusion of the Guide that in line with the requirements.

 

Wiling Lim, SGS

As to the implementation of TSCP, I have some ideas:

1) Whether we can set a system of mutual recognition to reduce duplication of testing;

2) Can China and the United States commissioned a third-party review to do the audit to ensure fairness and justice?

3) Prevailing provisions is lack of strict control on suppliers. No matter which side does the factory audit, it can only cover management system of factory, QC, labs, and so on.

 

Nie Pengxiang, vice president of CTI

The supply chain is inevitable for toy factory audit which relates to the defining of the responsibility between China and US. It is very challenging to uniform the requirements and standards for suppliers. TSCP Certification should be an open and transparent process that any qualified institutions may be involved.

 

Marty Cahll, representative of Hasbro

Yesterday in Hong Kong a similar meeting was also held. It is basically about a same system that reminds all to bring the design, process, product and sales to a same system. Designing a good goal, victory will possible. Putting too much focus on testing is not necessarily a good thing. And putting more effort in the early stage, product quality will be better protected. We should do quality experts rather than testing experts.

 

Representative of Shenzhen Toy Association:

If China and the United States can achieve mutual recognition of the two systems, it is a win-win situation that we look forward to. Uncertainty of the preliminary design, miss in respect of management and different labs that authorized by different global buyers...all make manufacturers be weighed down with it in a limited test period.

 

Toy Safety Certification Program is formed on the base of Toy Safety Coordination Initiative Draft Program Recommendations, when consulting public opinion on February 22 this year.

 

After the toy recalls in the second half of last year, TIA planed to enact Toy Safety Coordination Initiative Draft Program and consult public opinion on February 22 this year, which was questioned by the large number of toy export enterprises. Current products that exported to the United States are not only produced strictly in accordance with the standards of importing countries, but also have basically got ISO9000, ICTI and China's 3C. It can be said that the quality of products has been strictly controlled. So the Appendix III of the Draft concerning factory audit is an unnecessary repeated, which actually increases production costs and thus affect sales of toys and violate the rights of consumers.

 

At the meeting, the Secretary-General of TIA indicated that, US side had taken note of the common points of 3C toy certification, License System of toy exports certification and TSCP. They will take into account of the problem on repeated inspection. She hopes that the China Enterprises continue to put forward amendments and continue to negotiate with a view to implement the TSCP in July 2009.

 

It is expected that systems of China and the United States are compatible with each other. We can reduce duplication of testing and certification in order to establish a long-term interaction mechanism to deal with the problem of world economy, which is facing a severe crisis of global recession. And we hope that we can gain the interests of a win-win situation.