SHOPPERS and retailers in Warrington are being warned to be on their guard after trading standards officers found dolls containing high levels of chemicals on sale in the town.
A Manchester woman and her company were each fined £5,000 after Warrington trading standards officers prosecuted her for selling the dangerous toys.
The prosecutions were brought by Warrington’s trading standards under the Toy Safety Regulations following the chemical testing of the ‘Baby Genuoa’ doll as part of a regional trading standards project into the level of chemicals in toys.
The analysis found that the plastic in the doll contained a concentration of 14.4% of a chemical known as a phthalate which greatly exceed the permitted levels. Children’s plastic toys are not permitted to contain more than 0.1% of this chemical. Further offences were identified as the packaging in which the doll came in did not carry the name and address of the manufacturer and the EU importer’s details which is required in law.
The chemical is possibly carcinogenic to human and high dosages have been shown to be harmful to the reproductive system of rodents.
Jianxin Chen, 47, of Faversham Street, Manchester, along with her Company C&Q Trading Ltd, of Derby Street, Manchester, were both found guilty by Warrington Magistrates Court of six offences in relation to the sale of an unsafe child’s doll.
Jianxin Chen was sentenced to a personal fine of £5,000, with a victim surcharge of £500 and £955 cost awarded against her. Her company C&Q Trading, where she is the sole director, was also fined £5,000, ordered to pay £500 as a victim surcharge and £925 costs.
Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member of public protection, said: “Protecting the public for the sale of unsafe consumer goods, especially toys, in the run in to Christmas is a key priority for our trading standards team. This results shows that any retailer or importer who sells unsafe toys will face stringent penalties in the courts.”
Pete Astley, assistant director for regulation and protection said: “I would urge anyone buying toys to carefully look at the label to ensure the CE, manufacturers and importers name and address is present. Some toys also carry The Lion Mark of the British Toy and Hobby Association. Consumers can be assured that a toy which bears the Lion Mark has been manufactured by a BTHA member who believes in making good quality safe toys”.
The Warrington retailer who was selling the dolls immediately and voluntarily withdrew them from sale.
If you have concerns about the safety of a toy or any other products report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0345 4040506 or visit or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer
