Consumers group wants tougher fines after 3rd Mattel recall

The Consumers' Association of Canada on Wednesday called for stiffer penalties against manufacturers and importers who fail to guarantee product safety, following an extensive global recall of about 844,000 Mattel toys for unsafe lead levels.

The recall of Chinese-made toys,including about 25,500 in Canada, affects the following products:

• Barbie accessories sold between October 2006 and August 2007.
• GeoTrax Rail & Road System Freightway Transport soldSeptember 2006 through August 2007.
• GeoTrax Special Track Pack sold September 2006through August 2007.
• Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys sold July 2007 through August 2007.

"I think this is the point at which we say we are not going to buy anything anymore until we are certain that the manufacturer can tell us this product is safe, meets all Canadian health and safety requirements," said Mel Fruitman, the CAC's vice-president.

"[We need to] again put the onus back on the manufacturer to give us the reassurance we need. We can obviously no longer rely on the name, on the past reputation of the company," he said.

On Wednesday, China's ambassador to Canada said importers along with manufacturers should share the blame.

"[Chinese toy manufacturers] make toys according to foreign importers' requests, according to their standard. So I think it is a mutual responsibility," Lu Shumin said Wednesday after meeting with Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald.

Lu also said the majority of Chinese exports are safe, noting that product safety problems are common in many countries.

On Aug. 1, Mattel recalled about 1.5 million preschool toys made in China for high lead levels. The company subsequently issued a second larger recall of more than 18 million toys on Aug. 14, saying magnets embedded in the toys along withhigh lead levels posed a safety threat to young children.

Robert Eckert, Mattel's chair and chief executive, said Tuesday a recent probe has prompted the company tocut ties with certain subcontractors.

"In August we promised that we'd continue to focus on ensuring the safety and quality of our toys through extensive testing of finished products, thorough investigation of our vendors and the implementation of a strengthened three-point check system," Eckert said in a release.

'If the government feels they're not strong enough, they don't have sufficient laws on to which to act, then they need to beef up those laws.' —Mel Fruitman, Consumers' Association of Canada

"As a result of our ongoing investigation we discovered additional affected products. Consequently, several subcontractors are no longer manufacturing Mattel toys."

High amounts of lead can harm the nervous system, kidneys and other major organs. Anemia, a decline in red blood cells, can occur, as well as damage to the nervous system that may impair mental function. At worst, lead poisoning can cause seizures or death.

Consumers are advised to contact the company at (888) 496-8330 for return information.

Made-in-China products scrutinized for safety

The recalls follow a series of recalls and product safety investigations relating to Chinese imports, including products ranging from pet food to toothpasteand children's toys. Chinese government officials have pledged to tighten safety inspections but noted that Chinese goods were being unfairly targeted as a means of trade protectionism.

Fruitman said Canadian importers must be more vigilant in ensuring product safety, but noted authorities should alsopunish companiesthat breach standards.

"The onus is on the importer, the manufacturer … to ensure that they are meeting Canadian requirements. If they do not do so, then obviously it's incumbent upon the government…They should be taking action and indeed there are penalties available under existing legislation," Fruitman said.

"If the government feels they're not strong enough, they don't have sufficient laws on to which to act, then they need to beef up those laws."

According to a Wall Street Journal report Tuesday, Mattel has delayed reporting potential problems to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in at least three cases since the 1990s.

Eckert told the paper the company has opted to investigate and disclose potential problems to the safety watchdog according to its own schedule.

CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallesse said in response to Eckert's comments that all companies are obligated to report potentially dangerous defects within 24 hours.