Toy recall highlights importance of Standards

MEDIA RELEASE

17 August 2007

Toy recall highlights importance of complying with Standards

Safety concerns and the subsequent recall of a range of Mattel toys highlight the importance of complying with safety Standards, says Chief Operating Officer of Standards New Zealand, Grant Thomas.

‘Importers and manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products comply with New Zealand Standards and legislation relating to levels of lead in paint’, says Mr Thomas.

There are a number of New Zealand Standards that set out general safety, constructional, toxicological, and flammability requirements for toys in New Zealand. Several of them are adopted from international standards and reflect internationally accepted best practice in the area of toy safety. The Standards are:

- NZS 5820:1982 – Specification for the safety of toys

- NZS 5822:1992 – Prevention of ingestion and inhalation hazards in toys intended for use by children under three years of age

- AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2002 Safety of toys – Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties

- AS/NZS ISO 8124.2:2003 Safety of toys – Flammability

- AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2003 Safety of toys – Migration of certain elements

For more information on these Standards, go to www.standards.co.nz.

New Zealand consumers concerned about toys they have at home can contact Mattel NZ directly on 0800 174 063 Monday to Friday between 10am and 7pm.

Standards help all New Zealanders by making life easier and safer. They improve the effectiveness and reliability of many goods and services we use every day. Standards New Zealand is increasingly working across diverse subject areas, with Standards in health and disability, engineering, sport and recreation, energy efficiency, and fertility services to name a few.

ENDS

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