The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has drafted the Toy Safety Regulations under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 1999.

After they found lead in all of the 24 types of toys they tested, The Malaysian Association of Standards Users (Masu) is questioning why the regulations are yet to be implemented.

“Without the regulations, who actually bans unsafe toys here and what are the criteria?” asked Masu director Ratna Devi Nadarajan at a news conference yesterday.

She pointed out that the Department of Standards Malaysia had developed a series of standards on toy safety and all that was needed was to adopt these standards as technical regulations, or to make compliance to these standards mandatory.

The regulations include those on age warning labels, the safety of electric toys and regulations on flammability.

She said Masu submitted a memorandum to the ministry in August, asking it to regulate toys and child protection equipment, such as car seats, baby carriers and walkers.

The regulations, she added, must include product recall and injury reporting and data collection.

The memorandum also urged the ministry to use its power under under the CPA to mandate safety standards, which it has not yet done.

In its report on the testing for lead, she said Masu plans to recommend that the ministry and related government agencies run a nationwide test to determine the levels of lead in toys and other children’s products, including bibs and children’s jewellery.

“They should also study the requirements for safety standards for toys and products or services for children such as playground safety, food receptacles, clothing, and feeding aids,” she added.

“They should publish the findings and advise the public on precautions to be taken. And they should immediately enforce the Toy Safety Regulations.”