tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83715256882076391972024-03-14T01:39:41.208-07:00Toys SafetyA toy expert opinions, views & suggestions to improve the toys safety around the worldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-56497186322643579032010-01-28T05:35:00.001-08:002010-01-28T05:35:19.057-08:00EUROPE : New RAPEX guidelines published todayThe New Rapex Guidelines is now published.<br />http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/safety/rapex/guidelines_states_en.htmUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-1509799419445685752009-12-29T20:59:00.001-08:002009-12-29T20:59:26.754-08:00FOOD LIKE TOYSThis funny video explains the risks of food-like toys:<div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVvhxwtFsnE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVvhxwtFsnE</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-21630070468844609102009-11-25T02:06:00.000-08:002009-11-25T02:07:08.940-08:002009 "Trouble in Toyland" US report<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">You can download the 2009 report about toys safety here :<br /><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecbsnews%2Ecom%2Fhtdocs%2Fpdf%2FUSP-toy-report-2009%2Epdf%3Ftag%3DcontentMain%3BcontentBody&urlhash=Z51O" target="_blank" title="New window will open" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(0, 51, 153); ">http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/USP-toy-report-2009.pdf?tag=contentMain;contentBody</a></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-48960373845371392782009-08-28T03:11:00.001-07:002009-08-28T03:11:37.501-07:00CADMIUM : Factory pollution in China leads to 2 deaths + 509 people intoxicated<div>Early august, 2 people died and 509 have been intoxicated following a leak of CADMIUM in Xianghe Chemical Factory, a Zinc Sulfate factory in the Hunan province (Central China).</div><div><br /></div><div>Cadmium, a heavy metal, is forbidden to be used for manufacturing toys for children.</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-49413688257707698932009-07-18T17:27:00.000-07:002009-07-18T17:29:02.940-07:00CHILDREN BOOKS : Choking, Cuts and Strangulation risks<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHqYhaPUd6TDqQE79Mk444CE9MU7MZhze_Pf8DZnkfTsujFjy_r2oYGRkT8f32cnVtrUKehIeibplKKHcSVWcK1gW9VUs6i23j9ZpkmmYK3b3No15tn729N8oQZVEgEO0g2_ToL8wy7o/s1600-h/blog+book+recall+2009-w27_19-1f.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHqYhaPUd6TDqQE79Mk444CE9MU7MZhze_Pf8DZnkfTsujFjy_r2oYGRkT8f32cnVtrUKehIeibplKKHcSVWcK1gW9VUs6i23j9ZpkmmYK3b3No15tn729N8oQZVEgEO0g2_ToL8wy7o/s400/blog+book+recall+2009-w27_19-1f.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359960901351434178" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6uaRUzPiRlmECM8vgAQDh1UCOfoUoWN0bp0dNDUs0oovcUaIqPoEZErfnAlVND4IymY8EsXhDT17hiH8A56XSqkM1n_wFWrqY9tWhPipakNMtNLArJwhl7K_pCzyqKMI2Z0gIk6IcI4/s1600-h/blog+book+recall+2009-w27_19-2f.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6uaRUzPiRlmECM8vgAQDh1UCOfoUoWN0bp0dNDUs0oovcUaIqPoEZErfnAlVND4IymY8EsXhDT17hiH8A56XSqkM1n_wFWrqY9tWhPipakNMtNLArJwhl7K_pCzyqKMI2Z0gIk6IcI4/s400/blog+book+recall+2009-w27_19-2f.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359960847112018546" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><div>Children activity books should be considered and testes as toys.<br /><br />In Denmark, the editor of the Tiger/Legebog book had to recall a play book with a wire binder for safety reasons.<br /><br />A mixture of coloured cords is attached to the book in a zip bag. There is also one sticker sheet. The book consists of nine pages made of cardboard with holes for the cords. The pages have bright colours and simple images. The approximate dimension of the book is: 195 x 185 mm. </div><div><br /></div><div>The product poses a risk of:</div><div>- choking because the metal spine can be pulled off by a child. The spine and stickers can be swallowed, as they fit into the small parts cylinder;</div><div>- cuts because the released spine has sharps points that can cut the skin;</div><div>- strangulation because the cords are longer than 380 mm (640 mm) and can form nooses. </div><div><br /></div><div>The product does not comply with the Toys Directive and the relevant European standard EN 71.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-8027252631736762422009-07-10T10:01:00.000-07:002009-07-10T10:03:38.612-07:00TPR TOYS : The material burns to fast = unsafe !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FNKoR1yCvKeILdgWEwKdwbxnbI8vNVo_4yf4S72XepvoVXggD0qNnaza454iaEuQQLTlYlYML4OxkU1fn3vo0yebsAjGKOEqItZHgdbZR25E_7lCcWqv2y4jR81G4t0sFnf4-YzW8B7R/s1600-h/blobg+tpr+toy+recall+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FNKoR1yCvKeILdgWEwKdwbxnbI8vNVo_4yf4S72XepvoVXggD0qNnaza454iaEuQQLTlYlYML4OxkU1fn3vo0yebsAjGKOEqItZHgdbZR25E_7lCcWqv2y4jR81G4t0sFnf4-YzW8B7R/s400/blobg+tpr+toy+recall+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356878268789712818" /></a><br />This kind of toys, made of TPR, is highly flammable due to the addition of oil during the manufacturing process. No TPR toy can be considered safe for children. This week, a recall happened, once again, in Germany for the toy shown below.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-79988613740626087192009-07-08T11:01:00.001-07:002009-07-08T11:02:00.611-07:00The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment views about Toy SafetyThe German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) discussed to safety during their seventh Consumer Protection Forum meeting last month.<br /><p class="q-details"> <br />"Children are not small adults", German risk assessment body warns<br /><br />After the Forum, they conclude that children need to be treated as a separate consumer group and reiterates its criticisms of the revised EU toy safety Directive for failing to sufficiently protect children from exposure to potentially harmful chemicals (CW 6 January 2009).<br /><br />One of the questions posed at its forum, BfR notes, is "whether manufacturers should really produce everything that sells – even if such toys could be dangerous for children under certain circumstances - and whether they can rely on parents constantly keeping an eye on their children when playing with the toys."<br /><br />Dependence on quality marks such as the EU's CE mark is also said to be misguided. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-12441682626455910692009-06-05T21:58:00.000-07:002009-06-05T22:00:27.457-07:00MATTEL fined $2.3 mln for lead-tainted toys from China<div>The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has fined MATTEL Inc $2.3 million for violating a ban on bringing dangerous products into the United States. </div><div><br /></div><div>The fine stems from the toymaker's 2007 recall of 95 types of toys and up to 2 million units, primarily for excessive lead in paint, including the "Sarge" toy car and Barbie brand accessories. </div><div><br /></div><div>A 1978 law bans toys and other children's articles that have more than 0.06 percent lead by weight in coatings. </div><div><br /></div><div>Source: Reuters</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-75645698133428444912009-05-11T22:06:00.000-07:002009-05-11T22:09:23.923-07:00Main risks caused by recalled toys in 2008The main product safety risks that caused european 2008 recalls (all product categories) are listed below :<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkGpj9flWZHLrvK3tM-rDHHcLeJPQl5lcnRcob00-XW1N7Y3Laehbvcdsh8QXrHibqeNMCdzOi_TeVZQuXl54FQsu8POgaQZoPbKgEVubZOOz9NcTjTVjNoOuZlhqWgcu66arbAIqYVL_/s400/blog+recalledreasonsrisks2008europe.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 293px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334799823276134226" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-33090706286774453542009-05-11T22:02:00.000-07:002009-05-11T22:06:18.880-07:00CHINA : Nothing new...China remains the factory of the world as we look at the statistics of recalled products originating country for all 2008 european recalls. <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKmdjsxAochJgWcPGKCPZicL5NE9VFwtPVlWx8c2pVKR9OR5pSA-w2TMTBQCNzhIDDvSbHi8tLPTwt1puRcCLsKUnyQ-heb5Y4OKlWscRm8kOtMOzFvqAVdZxks7bNW2nQir5UHq1T-to/s400/blog+chinarecallseurope2008.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 190px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334798742896116354" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-40726220313582270202009-05-11T21:56:00.000-07:002009-05-11T22:06:42.546-07:00EUROPE : Toys is still the major recalled product category<div><br /></div><div>In 2008, TOYS is still the major recalled product category representing 32% of all products recalled by european authorities in 2008.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Clic to zoom : </span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOagwJZQXjg1F84NPiXWxoc9vXsGmzcyatUQz5qXbnIj5WcMt1okf0vPhbflT6ekKkcfKOrtRcDd7Lv9-j-qWca_Rx5oYRHV3GwtgrU4UpnhYofDNzyIMYqu9HrOfP9rvJYKkahru0vcz8/s1600-h/blog+numbertoysrecall2008.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOagwJZQXjg1F84NPiXWxoc9vXsGmzcyatUQz5qXbnIj5WcMt1okf0vPhbflT6ekKkcfKOrtRcDd7Lv9-j-qWca_Rx5oYRHV3GwtgrU4UpnhYofDNzyIMYqu9HrOfP9rvJYKkahru0vcz8/s400/blog+numbertoysrecall2008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334797048142340546" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-78550599335334119832009-05-11T21:45:00.000-07:002009-05-11T22:06:53.215-07:00EUROPE: 2008 product recalls at record high<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5B5Yu_H-XMwzqmZe4XXuFzdEJMzQLqHJPcbtxl5x4PzWu4u41QrnrRmihM6nRAPNldtvR9zroW9AgPzTvwHPw0D_4mosxHIomCaBpt3poRFJbvWt4W5fTP-bO2SddAa8JnFCwbsdug58/s1600-h/blog+europeflag.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5B5Yu_H-XMwzqmZe4XXuFzdEJMzQLqHJPcbtxl5x4PzWu4u41QrnrRmihM6nRAPNldtvR9zroW9AgPzTvwHPw0D_4mosxHIomCaBpt3poRFJbvWt4W5fTP-bO2SddAa8JnFCwbsdug58/s400/blog+europeflag.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334794504392952834" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Product recalls and notifications of dangerous merchandise reached record levels in the European Union last year, with the number of suspect goods reported more than double that in the US. The rate of notifications was up by about 15 per cent and 1,546 faulty items were reported, compared with 1,337 in the previous year and more than 700 in 2005.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Clic to zoom :</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk_roe_u8nARmHXuR2zKi6_4Pa2AAySEcEyY5-nzIVUfesPDlZn-Flk7-6kX8m8AYzFXWbIyXEjl4LIZUWVh24JZ7f4RqTy2pL8mhWJdeNjLEs7516vna9jeSs98vxLcdRMm8TPV81R-t/s400/blog+rapexrecalls2008stats.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334795538971248706" /><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-69962606881044174962009-05-05T22:09:00.000-07:002009-05-05T22:12:13.674-07:00MATTEL = Toy Monster ?<strong>Five Questions for Jerry Oppenheimer, author of Toy Monster: The Big, Bad World of Mattel<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDLD6lkPUZai3YdfQFfOiG95afbykI4UTlMuNU5eVmOxxL-cCOIvHWjL2_KZcq0LZm6d1rwefw-ALp2sXiDF6U5hdUN4YOnz8UHt3qEePZjX61oYay1jJ5xBRh7QGz1xI3Y7u5CWumeQU/s1600-h/blog+35767966.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332573712688247170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDLD6lkPUZai3YdfQFfOiG95afbykI4UTlMuNU5eVmOxxL-cCOIvHWjL2_KZcq0LZm6d1rwefw-ALp2sXiDF6U5hdUN4YOnz8UHt3qEePZjX61oYay1jJ5xBRh7QGz1xI3Y7u5CWumeQU/s400/blog+35767966.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><strong>Mattel is a beloved and iconic toy company – what first inspired you to write an expose of the “secret side” of the company?<br /><br /></strong>All of my previous books have been about iconic people and dynasties – The Kennedys, Clintons, Hiltons, Martha Stewart, Barbara Walters, Jerry Seinfeld. But for my ninth book I decided to write about an iconic institution, one that was a household name whose products had a profound impact on generations. Mattel fit the profile – especially since it was in the headlines for the massive toy recalls in 2007, and with the iconic Barbie doll’s 50th anniversary looming this year.<br /><br /><strong>How did you gather all the information that you discuss in the book?<br /></strong><br />I gathered everything that was in the public record about Mattel, going back to its earliest days to the present, more than 60 years worth. That kind of organization is important for a biography such as the one I planned to write about Mattel. Then I began doing the legwork, tracking down former and present Mattel employees and executives, and interviewing them on the record about their experiences at Mattel, about the company’s corporate culture, and cast of characters. Then came the immense job of organizing all of that material and research and writing what I hope readers will enjoy and from which they will learn.<br /><br /><strong>What was the most shocking revelation you uncovered in the course of writing Toy Monster?<br /><br /></strong>There were many jaw-droppers and shockers that surfaced during my research. One especially was the vicious feud between Jack Ryan, the Father of Barbie, and Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, over who conceived and developed the company’s best-known and biggest-selling toy, Barbie.<br /><br /><strong>The book reveals many little-known facts about the company history of Mattel and the odd corporate culture. What, in your opinion, is the most misconstrued assumption in popular opinion that you address in Toy Monster?<br /><br /></strong>During the course of my research, I discovered that Jack Ryan was the key person to bring Barbie in to the world, but that Handler, after Ryan’s death, dismissed and denigrated his major contributions, taking all credit for the iconic doll. After Ryan committed suicide, Handler wrote an autobiography and etched her story in stone that Barbie was all her idea from start to finish, and that myth has since been perpetuated. For the first time Toy Monster gives Ryan’s side of the previous untold story, and flips the birth of Barbie 180 degrees.<br /><br /><strong>What’s the one thing you’d like readers to take away after reading Toy Monster?<br /></strong><br />Don’t be fooled by those wonderful playthings. Behind the scenes the big business of toys is a highly competitive battleground, and is far from fun and games.<br /><br />Source : Amazon.Com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-20194508447801561032009-05-05T21:40:00.000-07:002009-05-05T21:41:12.313-07:00USA : Obama to nominate new chairman and commissioner to the CPSC<a style="DISPLAY: inline" href="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e201156f7a13ca970c-pi"></a>President Obama <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Fills-New-CPSC-Posts/">today announced</a> that he intends to nominate Inez Moore Tenenbaum as chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Robert S. Adler as a new commissioner of the agency. Both nominations need Senate approval. The President also announced his intention to increase the agency's budget by 71 percent (over fiscal year 2007 levels) to $107 million.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-24457775503424533172009-05-03T09:09:00.001-07:002009-05-03T09:10:38.211-07:00MADE in USA : Are they safer than Chinese toys ?Some american parents feel saver giving US Made Toys to their children.<br />While 80%+ of toys sold in the US originate from China, <a href="http://www.usmadetoys.com">this website lists the major makers of US Made toys</a>. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-42827976576311766992009-05-02T01:53:00.000-07:002009-05-02T01:56:10.224-07:00The H1N1 virus plush : ACHUFY !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Uwrt_bdOgr4yqprJgG_ULr1dI5j_eeGvxQ2h5UrIWhzeBZ8c3V9s-QyFm-kGYsm-VjvrhKSPTYFV4NdsIPhSfkL8hvfJOcaPaljlysXqTQSHK6gNChBBj8yVVFlFWtE0wnc5_8sb2Y0k/s1600-h/achufy!-300409.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Uwrt_bdOgr4yqprJgG_ULr1dI5j_eeGvxQ2h5UrIWhzeBZ8c3V9s-QyFm-kGYsm-VjvrhKSPTYFV4NdsIPhSfkL8hvfJOcaPaljlysXqTQSHK6gNChBBj8yVVFlFWtE0wnc5_8sb2Y0k/s400/achufy!-300409.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331147759696204770" /></a><br /><div>A man from Mexico has been attempting to capitalize on the swine flu (H1N1 virus) with a new stuffed animal called the Achufy!</div><div><br /></div><div>The small, blue stuffed character is supposed to commemorate the latest outbreak of H1N1 in Mexico and across the globe, reports WQAD. For 345 pesos (or $30.00) you can own Achufy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-7907045173204568012009-05-01T22:51:00.000-07:002009-05-02T00:08:06.275-07:00MAD SCIENTIST : How to create unsafe toys - Lesson 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmjqtpsLV5litUmueQSGjlh9kFkJlctgYt6OzizYs45NnCEQuxRyvzysFF4fOwXhiFe4zHnI6M3lQWqltrKPWEELMaCRxhQxjwISKix8x4nCpml-2OMa2iYDCZXBpe6v3dACqHngRxlEZ/s1600-h/madscientist.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmjqtpsLV5litUmueQSGjlh9kFkJlctgYt6OzizYs45NnCEQuxRyvzysFF4fOwXhiFe4zHnI6M3lQWqltrKPWEELMaCRxhQxjwISKix8x4nCpml-2OMa2iYDCZXBpe6v3dACqHngRxlEZ/s400/madscientist.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331119908043766226" border="0" /></a><br />Creating new toys often comes by mixing ideas between them freely. As an example, a toy plane is a toy plane and a spoon is a spoon, but if you stick a plane on a spoon, you get a "<a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2007/04/baby_spoon_plan/">flying spoon</a>" toy. Of course, to reach such results, we need to allow our brain to think outside of the box and avoid self-censorship in the first place because good ideas are not always obvious at first.<br /><br />While everybody talks about the origin of the A-flu H1N1 virus spreading the world, I've been wondering : Could we have the same global spreading success if we could mix some innovations together to sell "pork toys" the same way mexican intensive farming units have been mixing pork/poultry/human flu virus in unsafe and unclean Gloria, Veracruz, Mexican farms .<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fact N°1 : </span><br />In Europe, a famous antique pork-based toy called "<a href="http://www.jeujouethique.com/images/Image/jeux-societe/jeux-trad/jeu-cohon-qui-rit.jpg">The laughing pork</a>" was successfull for years. Therefore, pigs is a good way to go to make a popular toy.<br />The toy is now "public domain".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWbC0jq-emywyuiVlv6w6cCketh3vXBrj-_YKe8USyDi17sijWoNvRU7ewYb7Hn7mo7gE8QdyU54NA7i_6OE5ZOVyj-8y6PR9AUgsj84hB1S3IFLrmWATXJ7yKxFHuavOxAGSIra2NMK6/s1600-h/cochonquirit.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWbC0jq-emywyuiVlv6w6cCketh3vXBrj-_YKe8USyDi17sijWoNvRU7ewYb7Hn7mo7gE8QdyU54NA7i_6OE5ZOVyj-8y6PR9AUgsj84hB1S3IFLrmWATXJ7yKxFHuavOxAGSIra2NMK6/s400/cochonquirit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331118767349627634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fact N°2 : </span><br />Winny the Pooh's "<a href="http://www.media-freaks.com/work/leilei/piglet/piglet-03.jpg">Piglet</a>" is famous pig character for chidren. Therefore, we would negotiate with Disney a licence for making a Piglet toy to make the toy even more popular.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwZ7ZWrfWcSkD19f7-ZtvPObzMJrrVPqT8Y7K6NYo659N27Ujo6gjcvx63ldcDy2sEllWboPtWsizbbc1y3IrKAew16VqJvsDmGGtfNts3PHUY5wLcRJWLwDPxd6XdfgcCukpOR-eMxMJ/s1600-h/piglet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwZ7ZWrfWcSkD19f7-ZtvPObzMJrrVPqT8Y7K6NYo659N27Ujo6gjcvx63ldcDy2sEllWboPtWsizbbc1y3IrKAew16VqJvsDmGGtfNts3PHUY5wLcRJWLwDPxd6XdfgcCukpOR-eMxMJ/s400/piglet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331118507787348306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fact N°3 : </span><br />Glow in dark toys such as these "<a href="http://www.starmagic.com/Glow-Frisbee.html">Glow in dark frisbees</a>" are very popular with kids. The sales are good during Haloween and winter season (because it is darker during the day when children are awake).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzLpWLv0yd_9L_7-c1m2TBJemfv5mBWZ5STuZQrrM2EUSS79oQAycZLV_lSbaqn1_uN8bR1fHovWeiCj44z5ZLtV35RcNJfTDBO8MWT-klABYhdhCJ-Ftep7Tv73i9aWa6svzKIjowg5M/s1600-h/glowfrisbee.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzLpWLv0yd_9L_7-c1m2TBJemfv5mBWZ5STuZQrrM2EUSS79oQAycZLV_lSbaqn1_uN8bR1fHovWeiCj44z5ZLtV35RcNJfTDBO8MWT-klABYhdhCJ-Ftep7Tv73i9aWa6svzKIjowg5M/s400/glowfrisbee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331118215050612722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fact N°4 : </span><br /><a href="http://www.sea-monkeys.com/">Sea Monkeys</a> is famous in the US, because kids are "proud as god" to give life to a breed of shrimps. In Europe, we imported this breed under the name "Pifises" for one of our client last year as a children magazine promotion covermount, and the sales of their magazine tripled ! Therefore, kids like to "give life". Therefore, the toy should be "alive" like "pifise".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx73dNCsVbv-lv_TtVxLGD7zhgN-IdTkAWRFbHMz0oUzye4TGSZEgPzSW5TpXSXiLuwHku2HcFA0byffqdD_gVddzYk9WWsJi5tIaUQMCGKk2vFukbh_61sgTnd-vrey3jpBIqJHAchhv/s1600-h/17shrimp.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx73dNCsVbv-lv_TtVxLGD7zhgN-IdTkAWRFbHMz0oUzye4TGSZEgPzSW5TpXSXiLuwHku2HcFA0byffqdD_gVddzYk9WWsJi5tIaUQMCGKk2vFukbh_61sgTnd-vrey3jpBIqJHAchhv/s400/17shrimp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331117374049756034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fact N°5 : </span><br />Children love innovations in toys. Luckily, Taiwanese scientists have recently managed to grow a breed of <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_4600000/newsid_4609200/4609202.stm?bw=nb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=6&ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2">glow in dark porks</a>. True! We got our innovation to please kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSeotNFAbx5P3iT9KXjLiYQqvYBblNPrTAlqCVik_MK1gXb1ptUkLTWzRxuFNN7QEngOKO3riyPjF94p5T-7n-bUeb8RlwPFYLPw7tuJeC5lIYSEwuCsoATnPOYuviu-FLpz83WzrKEWd/s1600-h/glowpigs.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSeotNFAbx5P3iT9KXjLiYQqvYBblNPrTAlqCVik_MK1gXb1ptUkLTWzRxuFNN7QEngOKO3riyPjF94p5T-7n-bUeb8RlwPFYLPw7tuJeC5lIYSEwuCsoATnPOYuviu-FLpz83WzrKEWd/s400/glowpigs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331117607301766658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Knowing that children love pets and that the mexican farming industry is able to sell pork with a H1N1 virus as "food", why couldn't we sell a Disney licenced "grow your own glow in dark Piglet animal" as a new toy to our children ?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Let's all become mad scientists !</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-72067990362100122022009-04-22T21:19:00.001-07:002009-04-22T21:26:25.944-07:00Fake CE logo = China Export ?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP5T8AXz1bVjmnjrPCWGp1lCVWNXHGnc_WrDlyoJshK9C_CIkdaRQK6EUXqXuMU9-m-vfouPF5UEBWSknd7IVAQaWHysnXQ6KwTtrLEOPcaR5uPC5LBoQjdQIPSTIH96aqsqiO1bOsr_s/s1600-h/blog+ce-ce.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP5T8AXz1bVjmnjrPCWGp1lCVWNXHGnc_WrDlyoJshK9C_CIkdaRQK6EUXqXuMU9-m-vfouPF5UEBWSknd7IVAQaWHysnXQ6KwTtrLEOPcaR5uPC5LBoQjdQIPSTIH96aqsqiO1bOsr_s/s400/blog+ce-ce.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327736788515186626" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;">ATX-5000 brand batteries for computers sold in France under the Suza brand are showing a CE logo that isn't a CE conformity logo, but a "China Export" logo. The only difference is a very small difference on the "E" middle bar dimensions. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;"> The importer is <a href="http://www.suza-fr.com/">Suza France</a>.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-11680540577828296722009-03-25T19:21:00.000-07:002009-04-22T19:24:00.285-07:00FORBIDDEN : Dimethylfumarate (DMF)<p class="q-details">On 20th March 2009 the European Commission adopted a Decision under Article 13 of the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC) regarding the biocide DMF in consumer products. The Decision indicates that DMF is an unauthorised biocidal substance which has appeared in products coming into the EU and has caused severe allergic reactions in hundreds of consumers causing a serious risk to consumer health; including skin itching, irritation, redness, burns and, in some cases, acute respiratory difficultly.<br /><br />DMF is used to prevent mould growth on products in humid or damp conditions. It is often placed in sachets, which are fixed inside furniture or added to footwear boxes where it evaporates and impregnates the product to protect it during transportation and storage. Although it has previously been primarily associated with leather products, furniture (sofas in particular) and footwear; a velour toy has recently been recalled in France due to the presence of DMF.<br /><br /> From 1 May 2009 no products containing DMF shall be placed or made available on the market and products (or parts of products) containing more than 0.1mg/kg DMF already placed or made available on the market must be withdrawn and recalled from consumers.<br /><br /> Considering the recent recall of the soft toy, importers and retailers of toys are advised to ensure that no anti-mould sachets containing DMF are, or have been, included with their products or raw materials during transit.<br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-82671385717339012972009-03-03T14:08:00.001-08:002009-03-03T14:38:43.900-08:00Disney recalls 'Handy Manny' tool sets<div><div>Disney Stores USA, Pasadena, Calif., is recalling 20,000 units of its made in China <a href="http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/handymanny/index.html">Playhouse Disney “Handy Manny</a>” Toy Tool Sets that contain eyes that can separate, posing a choking hazard to young children. There have been three reports of detached eyes, including two reports of children who started to choke on the pieces. No injuries have been reported.</div><div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwjcL6II01Fxs8pZTnVsNRvJ1kCNLvsTKuJw4fBbJTJ0WMazmEJKn0tyfhJItIFo6n8ZnjTCZadJTbjfR_d6OPolKdaJx7WpGDVqNa6upDDQ6GDNWL6aB42YNu7D8JT3yMBg60AIVzBya/s1600-h/blogdisneytoolset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwjcL6II01Fxs8pZTnVsNRvJ1kCNLvsTKuJw4fBbJTJ0WMazmEJKn0tyfhJItIFo6n8ZnjTCZadJTbjfR_d6OPolKdaJx7WpGDVqNa6upDDQ6GDNWL6aB42YNu7D8JT3yMBg60AIVzBya/s400/blogdisneytoolset.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309087470461786962" /></a><div>Despite the <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09128.html">CPSC recall notice dated Feb 19th</a> , many international <a href="http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330311318614&ih=014&category=19224&_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BC%252BS%252BIA%26itu%3DUCC%252BCSP%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D8%26ps%3D35#ht_3321wt_958">eBay</a> websites suchwere still selling these auctions Disney toys, with some auctions originating after the recall.<br /></div><div>It seems eBay is not reading the CPSC recall notices.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>More importantly, it seems even Disney did not look into these then-fraudulous auctions where they could click on the eBay button to signal that this item is forbidden (which is possible on the european eBay sites), so that eBay can immediatly stop the corresponding auctions. </div><div><br /></div><div>The recalled toy UPC-barcodes #405144100614 or #422147400633 can be located on the product’s packaging. Because the recall is concerning "only" 20000 pcs, it might be that the other toys on sale might not be from the same shipment, but who knows the UPC-barcodes fof the toys auctions originating after the recall ?</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-16379373867475870602009-03-02T23:51:00.001-08:002009-03-02T23:52:37.058-08:00ELECTRIC & TEXTILE : Santa's hat on fire ?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR6gYVveXzUr-Rf6Y_ewwt4kiyub_JRBQGFRGZGJdbK5TipKLJQio5s52VQdECbHGsDsoaNRy5ZiMBfErXxsFo3dN5Vf4S8n9uCyIOHv9EnCc6xhAnh2CKbD_wR6qW9djTE7H6cgD3mNY/s1600-h/blogperenoelhat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR6gYVveXzUr-Rf6Y_ewwt4kiyub_JRBQGFRGZGJdbK5TipKLJQio5s52VQdECbHGsDsoaNRy5ZiMBfErXxsFo3dN5Vf4S8n9uCyIOHv9EnCc6xhAnh2CKbD_wR6qW9djTE7H6cgD3mNY/s400/blogperenoelhat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308866166311495314" /></a><br /><div>Last week in the United Kingdom, the importer of a flashing Santa hat (BGC Ltd) proceeded to a voluntary withdrawal from the market after receiving many consumers complaints that the hat could cause burns and a risk of fire due to a risk of short-circuits.<br /></div><div><br />The product poses a risk of burns and fire because of bare wires which can come into contact with each other causing a ‘short-circuit’ to occur. </div><div><br />This could have resulted in the wires rapidly heating up and igniting, with a risk of the textile materials burning.</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-2773675434629308462009-02-25T22:13:00.000-08:002009-02-25T22:15:06.507-08:00CHINA : Average wage is rising each year<div>The average monthly salary is around $250/month, up from $50/month in 1995.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7RZg9fZwA4Mfq1nFgOGKGAlO4klAjCpqz9fcxd93nLtFz68g0906egTIogEKbBpShGcpN2RKSQ2EDEytzQZGGwtsO5Am_r-53kLC_8hzvRVZXBwnLMzX6eUdiTUsU5bJb6baNYYFoFXw/s1600-h/chinaaverageannualwage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7RZg9fZwA4Mfq1nFgOGKGAlO4klAjCpqz9fcxd93nLtFz68g0906egTIogEKbBpShGcpN2RKSQ2EDEytzQZGGwtsO5Am_r-53kLC_8hzvRVZXBwnLMzX6eUdiTUsU5bJb6baNYYFoFXw/s400/chinaaverageannualwage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306985435424238306" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-13311867222932840472009-02-22T14:30:00.000-08:002009-03-03T22:40:05.703-08:00INDIA / CHINA : A toys war !<p>JANUARY 23rd 2009 - </p><p>With effect from Jan 23, the Indian government imposed a ban on Chinese toys for a period of six months. The Indian government has said the ban on toys was implemented on the grounds of 'public health and safety'. But some Indian analysts have suggested the move was aimed at shielding India's struggling toy industry against a flood of Chinese imports. </p><p>MARCH 2nd 2009 - </p><p>With immediate effect, India lifted the ban on importing toys from China provided they conform to international safety norms prescribed in "ASTM F963" or "ISO 8124 (parts I - III) or IS 9873 (parts I - III)". <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-90754978619783974382009-02-18T22:55:00.000-08:002009-04-11T22:56:30.790-07:00USA : New Edition of ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard Published Today<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><h3 align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(140, 125, 115); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><br /></h3><h4 align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 112, 177); ">180-day Clock Starts for Transition to New Edition under the CPSIA</h4><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; "><strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; ">New York, NY | February 17, 2009</strong> – A new edition of the Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, <a href="http://www.astm.org/Standards/F963.htm" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 112, 177); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">ASTM F963-2008</a>, has been published today by ASTM International. This widely used toy safety standard includes guidelines and test methods to protect children from a wide range of potential hazards, including lead exposure, choking, and sharp edges. Changes included in the new edition include new safety guidelines for magnetic components in toys and a number of other potential hazards.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Already widely used by the industry, under the terms of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) F963 became a federally mandated safety specification on February 10, 2009. </p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Under the law, the 2007 edition of the standard is still mandatory. In a letter sent today to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, ASTM International – the standard developing organization responsible for ongoing maintenance of the specification – informed the agency of the new edition. </p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">If the CPSC agrees that the revisions improve safety, there will be a six month window before the new standard goes into effect under the law. </p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">“This will give industry an opportunity to become familiar with updates from the previous edition,” explained Joan Lawrence, TIA vice president of safety standards and regulatory affairs.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=1673" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 112, 177); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">According to ASTM</a>, enhancements and additions now approved for <a href="http://www.astm.org/Standards/F963.htm" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 112, 177); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">F963</a> include the following:</p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 25px; "><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Magnets — (enhancement) Revisions account for incidents of ingestion due to magnetic components that were small parts of a toy and to reflect the age of children involved in the incidents. The section on magnets now also includes special use and abuse requirements to avoid magnets from detaching from components during play.<br /><br /></li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Acoustics — (enhancement) Requirements to this section were changed to provide greater clarity. The revisions to this section also further harmonization between <a href="http://www.astm.org/Standards/F963.htm" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 112, 177); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">F963</a> and the European toy standard, EN71-1.<br /><br /></li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Yo-Yo Tether Toys — (addition) Requirements have been added to address potential strangulation hazards associated with yo-yo elastic tether toys intended for children three years of age or older. <br /><br /></li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Impaction hazards — (enhancement) A new section providing impaction hazard requirements for toys intended for children up to the age of 48 months has been added. Diagrams of spherical and hemispherical ends were also added. <br /><br /></li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Flammability — (enhancement) Revision establishes the protocol and general criteria for flammability testing of solids and soft toys in conformance with the requirements of 16CFR 1500.3(c)(6)(vi).</li></ul><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">Other revised areas of the standard include sections on jaw entrapment; packaging film/age requirements as they pertain to use and abuse testing; and folding mechanisms and hinges.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">The standard does not affect the limits for lead or phthalates as described in the CPSIA.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">“Congressional recognition of ASTM 963 signifies the thoroughness of the standard and the role of ASTM in toy safety,” said Joan Lawrence, TIA vice president of safety standards and regulatory affairs. “TIA is pleased to introduce this updated version of the standard to our constituents and encourage all companies in the toy industry – manufacturers and retailers – to get involved in the standards process.”</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; ">ASTM F963 is maintained by ASTM International Committee F15, Consumer Products and its Subcommittee on Toy Safety. The subcommittee is comprised of technical experts from academia, consumer groups, industry and government who work together to review and update the standard on a regular basis; it is chaired by Joan Lawrence. </p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://www.astm.org/Standards/F963.htm" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 112, 177); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">Copies of the standard</a> are available in electronic format or hard copy from ASTM International.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: black; font-weight: normal; "><strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; ">About TIA</strong><br />TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing over 500 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales. Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe play. </p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371525688207639197.post-36952620226787638392009-02-11T10:26:00.000-08:002009-05-03T10:28:47.355-07:00USA : Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; "><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">On February 10, 2009, the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act became effective, which means the following changes to the current regulation :</span><br /></h3><table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 12px; "><img src="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/images/new2.jpg" align="left" width="31" height="14" /></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-size:85%;">Test Method: CPSC-CH-E1003-09 – Standard Operating Procedure for Determining Lead (Pb) in Paint and Other Similar Surface Coatings, April 26, 2009 <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/CPSC-CH-E1003-09.pdf">[PDF]</a><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 12px; "><img src="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/images/new2.jpg" align="left" width="31" height="14" /></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-size:85%;">Stay of Enforcement of the Lead Content Limits for Certain Youth Motorized Recreational Vehicles, April 28, 2009 <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/youthvehiclesstay.pdf">[PDF]</a><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 12px; "><img src="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/images/new2.jpg" align="left" width="31" height="14" /></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size: 12px; "><span style="font-size:85%;">Record of Commission Action – Request from ATV Companies for Exclusion from Lead Content Limits under Section 101(b)(1) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/ballot/ballot09/atvexclusion.pdf">[PDF]</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0