China returns imported toys due to chromium

Tianjin Konggang Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has returned a batch of imported toys—rocking horses as per relevant requirements as dangerous levels of chromium is found present in the products during sampling testing.

It is known that those toys are imported from Germany (19 pieces, value: €19,000). Officials sent the leather used for manufacturing of toy saddles for testing in accordance with relevant requirements. The test shows the migration of certain elements in the samples is 6.3 times as high as that set forth in the relevant standards materially violating the provisions. Therefore competent departments sealed the products immediately and returned them due to non-conformity.

Chromium is widely applied in tanning procedure of leather in order to improve its brightness and appearance. Nevertheless high concentration of chromium poses irritation to mucous membranes of skin causing dermatitis, eczema, tracheitis or even cancer. It can invade human bodies through saliva and sweat gradually accumulating in the body until toxic properties.

C&K Testing advises toy businesses should comply with GB 6675 standards if their products are offered for sale on the China market. Product testing can be essential to avoid any economic losses caused by non-conformity.