Sunday, 26th April 2009
EU’s RAPEX system takes 1500 dangerous goods off the shelves
A European Union network for taking dangerous toys, clothes and consumer products off our shelves has shown a rise in the number of unsafe products, Scots Tory MEP, Struan Stevenson, has warned.
The RAPEX system alerts all national authorities in the EU's Single Market when a product with serious design flaws or dangerous parts is detected. In 2008 the number of products removed from the market was up 16 percent on 2007 with 1866 notifications. Among the most frequently identified items were toys, bicycles, baby walkers, cots and motor vehicles.
The number of Chinese products being taken off the shelves has also risen to 59 percent in 2008. However an agreement between the EU and China now means Chinese authorities are alerted when one of their products is deemed dangerous. This has led them to investigate 669 products and take action in 352 cases.
In recent years, China has also been exposed by Mr Stevenson for the cruel slaughter of more than two million cat and dogs in China each year. A ban, brought into effect on 1st January 2009 across all 27 Member States, has stopped the importation of the cute little cats and dogs in wicker baskets that were unwittingly purchased in their millions by cat and dog loving parents for their children, unaware of the fact that real cat and dogs were being cruelly slaughtered and skinned in China to make them.
Speaking about the RAPEX figures, Mr Stevenson said:
"In the EU single market we need an alert system to ensure no dangerous products are being sold to our children.
“In the last few years, especially while campaigning for a complete ban on the import of cat and dog fur, I have seen many examples of dangerous and inhumane toys from China being sold in Scotland. This alert system aims to prevent that.
“Some of the products that I have seen that were removed from the shelves thanks to RAPEX could have caused horrific injuries - particularly to children.
"The rise of China has brought huge benefits to consumers with cheaper clothes, toys and electrical goods. However sometimes the standards may not be up to par and that is why, jointly with the Chinese authorities, we must tackle goods that might pose a threat.
"As the recession bites, we are all looking for a bargain in our supermarkets and on the High Street. The RAPEX system should leave us with some confidence that the products we purchase are safe."
