Press Release: Toy safety – Mattel recall on lead paint toys

Speaking on 25 October 2007 following the announcement of a recall by Mattel of Go Diego Go (Animal Rescue Boat) toys of their Fisher-Price brand, sold in the UK, Ireland, US and Canada due to excessive levels of lead in paint, EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva made it clear that recalling goods from the market is a last resort for industry. With effective controls all along the supply chain, dangerous goods should not be reaching supermarket shelves or arrive in the hands of children at home. Commissioner Kuneva said the fact that the European Commission had, on this occasion, received prior notice before the recall from Mattel is a sign that some of the intensive work with industry in recent months is starting to pay off. In this way, the European Commission is able to provide advice to companies on the recall process if necessary and to circulate to all EU Member Sates authorities full information through the EU RAPEX (Rapid Alert System) system for dangerous consumer goods. This fourth Mattel recall comes as the European Commission is in the final stages of a 2 month review of the consumer product safety mechanisms in place in Europe. Commissioner Kuneva will present the results of this stocktaking and analysis on the EU China (RAPEX) report on Chinese enforcement actions, on 22 November 2007 in Brussels.