EcoWaste warns shoppers vs toys without proper labels

Some of the toys examined by the EcoWaste Coalition. (Photo from the group’s Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — EcoWaste Coalition on Thursday cautioned consumers against buying improperly labeled toys after it found 105 toys being sold in markets without proper labels, which is in violation of the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act, or Republic Act No. 10620.

Thony Dizon, EcoWaste Coalition’s Chemical Safety Campaigner, said improperly label toys may have potential quality and safety issues.

“A toy that is improperly labeled is a red flag for potential quality and safety issues.  It may indicate that the toy lacks a certificate of product notification and that it is being sold illegally,” he said in a statement.

As part of its monitoring in November, EcoWaste bought 105 toys, with prices ranging from P21 to P164 each, from retailers in Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Navotas, and Valenzuela.

EcoWaste said that all of the toys violated labeling and packaging requirements under the Republic Act 10620:

— 15 samples were totally unlabeled;

— 17 samples lacked the license to operate (LTO) number issued by the Food and Drug Administration;

— 32 samples provided no age labeling information;

— 37 samples showed no cautionary statements such as: “Warning: Not suitable for children under 3 years.  Contains small parts” or its equivalent graphical symbol;

— 87  samples provided zero or incomplete name and address of the toy manufacturer or distributor;

— 82 samples had no item, model, stock-keeping unit (SKU) number; and

— 11 samples had their labeling information written in foreign characters

Citing the implementing rules and regulation of the law, the group said the labels of toys and games should carry information about the company’s license to operate (LTO) number, age grading, cautionary statements/warnings, instructional literature, manufacturer’s marking, and item, model, and stock-keeping unit (SKU) number.

“Toy manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers have the responsibility to provide the required information through proper product labeling,” Dizon said.

“Consumers have the right to receive complete and truthful product information to enable them to make wise buying decisions,” he added.

Republic Act 10620 requires special labeling for toys and games in order to protect children against potential hazards to their health and safety from such products.

EcoWaste said the Food and Drug Administration cannot assure the quality and safety of toys and childcare articles that have not gone through the notification process of the agency.

According to the FDA, the use of such non-compliant products may pose health risks to consumers, including exposure to harmful chemicals, injury, choking, or suffocation due to small or broken parts.

/MUF