August 25, 2007	Saturday	Sha’aban 11, 1428

BRUSSELS, Aug 24: The European Commission vowed on Friday to take urgent “regulatory” action against toys deemed to be unsafe after recent high-profile recalls of Chinese-made products from US company Mattel.

The European Union’s executive arm said it would decide on taking action after meeting “in early autumn” with experts from the EU’s 27 member states on the safety of toys following the recalls.

“The discussion with the member states will help the Commission to determine what type of preventive action these risks would justify,” it said in a statement.

“The Commission will not hesitate to have recourse to regulatory, emergency measures if necessary,” it added without elaborating what the action could consist of.

US toy manufacturing giant Mattel this month recalled 18 million Chinese-made products worldwide over concerns about high lead levels and small magnets that have seriously injured at least three children.

The recall has fuelled trade tensions with China where a top official suggested that the move was inspired by protectionism, a claim that was rejected by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said: “Producers must respect their obligations to verify that the components and the design of their toys are safe.

“Vigilant market surveillance by the national authorities is a necessary complement to this self-discipline,” she added.—AFP