Important message to parents on toy safety

'The annual EU rapid alert system for non-food products (RAPEX) report shows a rise in number of dangerous products being detected. The number of dangerous products removed from the EU market rose by 53 per cent in 2007 when compared with those detected in 2006.

'Toys were by far the most notified product category last year, confirming that child safety is a top-ranking priority for market surveillance authorities, although motor vehicles, electrical goods and cosmetics also featured prominently. 'Once again, China is the country of origin for more than half of risky products found (700 notifications).

'This can be partly explained by the high number of products imported into the EU from China and the intensified focus of market surveillance authorities on Chinese products following last year's recalls.

'Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva presented an update on the extensive work which is being done to strengthen enforcement controls following recommendations by the Commission.

'The number of RAPEX notifications has risen steeply over the last few years and has more than tripled from 468 in 2004 to 1,605 in 2007.

'The steady growth in RAPEX alerts can be ascribed to more effective product safety enforcement by authorities, greater awareness among businesses of their obligations, enhanced co-operation with third countries, and network-building actions by the Commission.'

Gap closing on member states' performances

'The gap between the most frequently notifying countries and those with the lowest number of notifications decreased significantly last year, showing a more even participation in the RAPEX system among countries involved.

'This is confirmed by the fact that the total share of the five most active countries amounted to 61 per cent in 2006, but only 44 per cent in 2007.

'Germany was the most active member state (163 notifications), followed by Greece (115 notifications) and Slovakia (114 notifications), Hungary (109 notifications) and Spain (108 notifications).'

Toys top dangerous product list

'Toys (417), motor vehicles (197) and electrical appliances (156) alone accounted for more than half of all last year's notifications. More than one out of three products notified was either a toy or a child care article, showing the importance that market surveillance authorities place on checking this category. China, still the main source of dangerous goods, remains the country from which the highest number of products posing a serious risk were detected.

'This figure should be seen in the context of a large proportion of EU imports coming from China (80 per cent of all toys), and tighter surveillance on these products than other countries. 'The number of unknown origin notifications through RAPEX fell in 2007 when compared to previous years (20 per cent in 2005, 17 per cent in 2006 and 13 per cent in 2007.

'The Commission has significantly intensified its co-operation on product safety with China over the past year. In particular, since Ms Kuneva first visited China in June 2007, a new system of quarterly reporting on Chinese enforcement actions - to track down at source dangerous goods notified within RAPEX - has been put in place. The first trends are positive.

'The Chinese authorities investigated 184 RAPEX cases between July and September last year compared to only 84 in the previous year. Corrective action was taken in 43 per cent of the cases.

'In addition, it was reported that China made a significant effort to strengthen controls on toys. In a relatively short period, 3,540 export licensed manufacturers were audited and, where necessary, were forced to improve their safety control systems. A total of 701 companies lost their export licences.' (Lillian Vassallo)

While thanking Ms Vassallo for sending us this letter, I urge parents to read it carefully.