2 November 2007

PUTRAJAYA: Toys containing lead and harmful to children will be banned. 

“We need to investigate and conduct a proper study before taking action on anyone. We cannot act based on media reports or else the wrong people will be penalised,” said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal

He said several steps had been taken to ensure that toys not only met the standards set but were also safe for children. 

“If the toys have been proven unsafe, we should ban and take them out of the market,” he told reporters after a Hari Raya celebration hosted by the ministry here. 

The Malaysian Association of Standards Users has alleged that many children’s toys sold in the market had high lead content which could cause brain damage and affect growth. 

Asked whether his ministry had seized unsafe toys in the past, Shafie said: “Actually, we have taken action numerous times but they were not reported.” 

Ministry enforcement chief Roslan Mahyuddin said a draft on the government standards on toys was ready in 2002 but had not been gazetted yet.