The latest batch of toys made in China recalled by US manufacturer Mattel is actually safe for children, meeting both European and Chinese standards, according to Chinese state media.
China's watchdog for product quality has said the toys recalled earlier this month passed its own tests and only failed US examinations because of additional American requirements on lead content.
Mattel recalled around 848,000 toys earlier this month - its third recall of Chinese products this summer - due to high lead levels in the paint used.
The move came after the company last month recalled 18 million Chinese-made products worldwide over high lead levels and small magnets that have seriously injured at least three children.
The General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine in China announced yesterday that its key lead standards were in line with European levels, but that the US has additional requirements that other countries do not.
A Chinese investigation into the latest recall has found that the toys were produced according to Mattel's specifications.
China had earlier blamed the Mattel recalls largely on design faults by the company, and said only 15% of the toys targeted in earlier recalls contained excessive amounts of lead.
However, the product-quality agency has said three manufacturers that have produced recalled toys under contract to Mattel will be suspended from exporting and will only be able to resume after addressing ‘problems’.
US lawmakers vowed yesterday to enact stricter legislation to prevent potentially dangerous Chinese-made toys from being sold there, as leading toy firms said safety checks were being boosted.
China is the world's top toy exporter, selling 22 billion toys overseas last year, or 60% of the world's total.
