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NOWnews (2012-08-27) Reporter Li Lingling / Taipei Report
Children's favorite SpongeBob and Hello Kitty were found to be highly toxic! The Consumer Protection Committee of the Executive Yuan announced today (27) the test results of commercially available soft plastic school bags. Out of 16 samples, 11 failed the inspection, with 6 exceeding the limit for plasticizer content. Among them, the Mermaid Pearl Double-Layer School Bag and the SpongeBob Preschool Backpack sold at Carrefour were found to contain plasticizer levels over 100 times the standard limit.
Consumer Protection Officer Wang Deming stated that the inspection revealed the cartoon patterns on children's favorite school bags had the highest plasticizer content, posing significant harm to children. Since most manufacturers outsource production to China, they were unaware of the excessive plasticizer levels.
In early June this year, the Consumer Protection Committee dispatched officers to sample 16 commercially available soft plastic school bags and backpacks from major retailers, general merchandise stores, and stationery shops in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. The products were tested for eight types of plasticizers and free formaldehyde. Among them, 11 failed labeling requirements, 6 exceeded plasticizer limits, and four even surpassed the safety standards for children's products.
The test results showed that the Mermaid Pearl Double-Layer School Bag sold at Carrefour had the highest plasticizer content—130 times over the limit, making it the most toxic. This was followed by the licensed preschool backpack (SpongeBob design) at 112 times over the limit, the Hello Kitty EVA School Bag at 55 times, and the Hello Kitty Children's Backpack at 13 times.
Wang Deming emphasized that even though manufacturers outsource production to China, they must conduct self-inspections and take responsibility for product safety. They should ensure strict border controls, and the risks should not fall on consumers. Violating businesses have been penalized under the Consumer Protection Act, with orders to remove the products from shelves within a specified period. Failure to comply may result in fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$1.5 million, with potential continuous penalties.
Source: http://news. sina. com. tw/ article/ 20120827/ 7717865. html
Children's Backpacks Exceed Phthalate Limits by 130 Times
Children's favorite SpongeBob and Hello Kitty were found to be highly toxic! The Consumer Protection Committee of the Executive Yuan announced today (27) the test results of commercially available soft plastic school bags. Out of 16 samples, 11 failed the inspection, with 6 exceeding the limit for plasticizer content. Among them, the Mermaid Pearl Double-Layer School Bag and the SpongeBob Preschool Backpack sold at Carrefour were found to contain plasticizer levels over 100 times the standard limit.
Consumer Protection Officer Wang Deming stated that the inspection revealed the cartoon patterns on children's favorite school bags had the highest plasticizer content, posing significant harm to children. Since most manufacturers outsource production to China, they were unaware of the excessive plasticizer levels.
In early June this year, the Consumer Protection Committee dispatched officers to sample 16 commercially available soft plastic school bags and backpacks from major retailers, general merchandise stores, and stationery shops in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. The products were tested for eight types of plasticizers and free formaldehyde. Among them, 11 failed labeling requirements, 6 exceeded plasticizer limits, and four even surpassed the safety standards for children's products.
The test results showed that the Mermaid Pearl Double-Layer School Bag sold at Carrefour had the highest plasticizer content—130 times over the limit, making it the most toxic. This was followed by the licensed preschool backpack (SpongeBob design) at 112 times over the limit, the Hello Kitty EVA School Bag at 55 times, and the Hello Kitty Children's Backpack at 13 times.
Wang Deming emphasized that even though manufacturers outsource production to China, they must conduct self-inspections and take responsibility for product safety. They should ensure strict border controls, and the risks should not fall on consumers. Violating businesses have been penalized under the Consumer Protection Act, with orders to remove the products from shelves within a specified period. Failure to comply may result in fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$1.5 million, with potential continuous penalties.
Source: http://news. sina. com. tw/ article/ 20120827/ 7717865. html