2,600 hazardous toys seized

Manama, June 24 (BNA): The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism inspected 120 shops and seized more than 2,600 toys deemed incompliant with applicable safety standards and specifications, Mona Al Alawi, Director of Standards and Measurements Directorate in the ministry said. The inspection campaign was carried out by the directorate during April and May and resulted in the confiscation of hazardous items that contained (unsafely-capped nickel-cadmium or sulfuric) batteries and (potentially carcinogenic mud) slime products that were devoid of any conspicuous warning as to the suitable age group, she added. The directorate urged manufacturers, importers and retailers to ensure that their products are compliant with local and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) standards and specifications. The directorate also urged parents and teachers to read the instructions and warnings as well as decide which toys are suitable according to the child’s age and to use it only under parental or a teacher's guidance.