Small parts that can be swallowed and limits that are exceeded, risk of strangulation, choking and poisoning: toys from cheap online retailers Temu, Wish and Shein can be life-threatening for small children.
AK Upper Austria had a total of 13 toys for children under the age of three tested in the laboratory of the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES).
Serious risk of suffocation and strangulation
According to the AGES report, two toys from the online retailer Wish (telescopic suction cup giraffe, wooden camera for babies) and a bath toy from the Chinese online retailer Temu pose a very serious health risk to children under three years old and were immediately reported to the Federal Office of Consumer Health. This ensures that products sold online also comply with European protection regulations.
Exceeding the limits for flame retardants
Chinese retailer Shein also sells children’s toys. At least two of these toys pose a choking risk: A dancing cactus’ eyes easily become detached.
This also makes the hazardous filling material easily accessible. In addition, a flame retardant was measured at a concentration of 29.4 mg/kg; 5 mg/kg is permitted. With a sensory ring for babies, the attached bells are too easy to detach.
- Toys may only be sold in Europe if they meet the general safety requirements of the European Toy Directive (EN 71-1).
- Only in February 2024 did a test by the Toys Industries of Europe (TIE) association show that 18 out of 19 toy items from Chinese online retailer Temu did not comply with the European Toy Directive. Immediately after the results were announced, Temu promised improvements, but the tested products were removed from the range.
- In addition, the European Commission only started formal proceedings against Temu at the end of October, because the Chinese online retailer is accused of violating EU law.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
