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Hong Kong Consumer Council Surveillance Report on Stress-Reliving Toys

18 Mar 2022
orig Asian girls shopping for toys in department store

Plastic squeezing toys that help relieve stress could contain cancer causing substance, the Consumer Council on Tuesday warned.  In their surveillance report on March 15th, 2022, over 75% stress-relieving toys, including squishy toys, pop-it toys, and rubber toys e.g. bath ducks, fail to meet safety standards, involving loose small parts, toxic for reproduction and potential carcinogens.

Of the 29 models of plastic toys tested:

  • 22 failed to comply with the requirements of EU toy safety standard on mechanical and physical aspect, based on EU Toy Safety Directive EN 71-1
  • 25 were found to contain the potential carcinogen Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), based on requirements of the German voluntary certification scheme GS Mark
  • 3 models found with di(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) & Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), violating the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance

The Council has already submitted the test results and product information to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up. 

Summary of surveillance report:

ITEMFAILURE (%)RESULTPOTENTIAL HAZARD
Physical & Mechanical22/29 (76%)
  1. Small parts were released
  2. Packaging bag was too thin
  3. Fluid leakage were found
  4. Failed to bear identification markings and bilingual warnings
May cause choking, suffocation to death, or other serious health risks due to contamination, toxic substance
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)25/29 (85%)Naphthalene levels exceeding the upper limit (by almost 4 to 11 times)Confirmed or potential carcinogens
Phthalates (DEHP & BBP)3/29 (10%)Concentration level of DEHP reached 25%, while BBP reached 0.006% to 0.028%Possibly carcinogenic & may also damage the reproductive system

To combat the need for compliance, SGS offers a one-stop solution to ensure your toys comply with relevant regulations and quality standards for the Hong Kong market.

Toy TypeTest ItemsPackage Offer
  • Squishy Toys
  • Pop-it Toys
  • Pliable Bath Toys
  • EN 71 Parts 1, 2 & 3
  • Phthalates
  • PAHs
  • HK Labeling Review
HKD 3,600 (net)

SGS provides manufacturers, retailers and importers with comprehensive customized Quality Assurance Solutions for all toy needs.

For enquiries, please contact our Sales Associates for details!

To purchase this service, please visit TIC Mall.

To obtain a copy in PDF, please click here.

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