MATTEL fined $2.3 mln for lead-tainted toys from China

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.  

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. 

A 1978 law bans toys and other children's articles that have more than 0.06 percent lead by weight in coatings. 

Source: Reuters

CHINA : 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.  

Disney recalls 'Handy Manny' tool sets

Disney Stores USA, Pasadena, Calif., is recalling 20,000 units of its made in China Playhouse Disney “Handy Manny” 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.

Despite the CPSC recall notice dated Feb 19th , many international eBay websites suchwere still selling these auctions Disney toys, with some auctions originating after the recall.

It seems eBay is not reading the CPSC recall notices.

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.  

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 ?