EcoWaste Coalition warns vs improperly labeled, toxic toys 

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental organization EcoWaste Coalition warned Tuesday that some toys were found not only “improperly labeled,” but also contaminated with banned chemical substances.

The organization said that 27 toy samples, including balloons, dolls, physical activity toys, stuffed toys and traditional toys like “trumpo,” found to be violating Rule 1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 10620 or the “Toy and Safety Labelling Act of 2013.”

“Additionally, we also found some samples contaminated with chemical substances like lead and phthalates that are banned in children’s toys,” EcoWaste Coalition Chemical Safety Campaigner Thony Dizon said in a statement.

EcoWaste Coalition said that the toy samples worth between P5 and P350, were bought from different retailers in Makati, Manila, Pasay and Quezon City.

Rule 1 of the IRR of the “Toy and Safety Labelling Act of 2013” states that the following information are required in toy and game labels: license to operate number issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);  age grading; cautionary statements/warnings; instructional literature; manufacturer’s marking; and item, model, stock-keeping unit (SKU) number.

Also, Rule 1of the IRR requires toys must be written in English, visible, easily legible, understandable and indelible form, and the product itself must be accompanied by instructional literature for examination by the buyer.

“We regret that some toys in the market do not conform with RA 10620-prescribed mandatory labeling requirements, denying consumers of their basic right to information which is indispensable in the selection of age-appropriate, safe and non-toxic playthings that all children deserve,” Dizon said.

The organization added that not one of the 27 samples complied to the general requirements for toy labels.

With this, Dizon said that their sampling indicates the need to enforce RA 10620 and its IRR.

“Its effective enforcement will serve the interest of consumers, especially young children whose safety is the central reason why this law was enacted,” the EcoWaste Coalition official said.  /muf