Product safety moves up the priority agenda in China

In 2007 toymaker Mattel recalled nearly a million Chinese-made toys allegedly coated with toxic lead paint. Consumer product safety can never be under-estimated as it has far reaching effects. Defective imports from the East are not necessarily a new phenomenon, but it has increasingly become important for importers to ensure there are measures in place to safeguard the millions of consumers across the globe who are increasingly dependent on manufactured goods from the East. According to Edie Tolkin, an American-based consumer product safety expert, the US recently upgraded legislation for all imports from China. “The new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is a very good basis and measurement for countries to use when looking at their own legislation. Product safety is a critical issue, and has stemmed from product recalls over the past several years for products from China. These include toxic plastics and other chemicals in baby bottles, baby formula, cribs, playpens and other baby carrier issues. Lead levels in children’s toys and flammability problems in garments have all been noted,” says Tolkin. “Sooner or later I can see this becoming a very important issue for manufacturing worldwide.” She says it is important that importers ensure all products brought into a country, especially from China, are safe. “All products should be tested and must adhere to very specific regulations.” She advises companies to employ a Chinese translator. “That way you can be sure the factory understands exactly what the needs and requirements are before manufacturing begins.” There is no doubt that the stakes are extremely high when looking at Chinese manufacturing. With billions of dollars invested in China, contractors producing goods for export are under tremendous pressure to produce vast amounts of product quickly. “Safety must, however, never be compromised,” says Tolkin. “All children’s products, for example, must be tested and certified. The health and safety of millions of consumers lies in the balance should substandard products be brought into a country.” China, on the other hand, having faced some serious international scrutiny, has in recent years implemented measures to clean up the manufacturing of exported goods. Tolkin says knowing the rules and regulations of the origin and destination countries is critical. “Learn about your own country’s safety regulations and import policies, but also know the rules and regulations of the manufacturing country from which you are exporting. Every country has different regulations. It is important to build up a trustworthy relationship throughout the supply chain that includes the freight forwarder and the customs broker.”