Stern action against sale of hazardous toys

SHARJAH — The Consumer Protection Department in Sharjah Municipality plans to urge the Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority (ESMA) and municipalities to take stern measures to prevent the import and circulation of potentially hazardous toys in the country.

by

Amira Agarib

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Published: Mon 28 Jul 2008, 1:37 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 6:18 PM

The move comes close on the heels of the recently-launched crackdown on shops and outlets selling toys that could pose health risk to children.

The campaign launched a week ago will continue for two months during which Sharjah Municipality inpectors would attempt to rid the emirate of all toys deemed hazardous to children's health.

Since the launch of the crackdown, nearly 15,000 harmful toys and other offensive material and items have been seized by the authorities. Among the products confiscated were sub-standard magnetic toys, hazardous lipsticks, shock torch and lighters, T-shirts with anti-Islamic messages, laser toys that could harm the vision of the people, poisonous toy capsules and fighter planes.

Faud Al Shuhail, head of Consumer Protection Department in Sharjah Municipality, told Khaleej Times that the seizures were made from various shops in Sharjah.

He warned that shops found selling toys that are hazardous and in contravention of Islamic values would be fined anything between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000.

Al Shuhail said most of the toys sold in supermarkets and grocery stores are hazardous. A number of Dh1-Dh10 wholesale shops were also selling toys that could be harmful to children.

He urged the public to check the quality of toys before buying them and report to the authorities concerned, including the Consumer Protection Department, if they come across toys of sub-standard quality.

Engineer Mohammed Ibrahim, head of Quality and Health Education in Sharjah Municipality said a large number of toys available in the market contain lead content, magnetic material and poisonous chemicals.

Battery-operated toys are not suitable for children below five years, he said and added that a large number of toys available have edges while others have laser capability.

amira@khaleejtimes.com


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