REPLY:
MR PRESIDENT,
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1994
(A)
IN THE
PERIOD JULY 1, 1993 TO JUNE
30,
1994, THE SAMPLES OF
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SENT 1,835 TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS ΤΟ THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR TESTING.
(B)
WE HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF ITEMS OF TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE LOCAL MARKET. THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL UNSAFE TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS BASED ON COMPLAINTS OR INFORMATION RECEIVED. THE DEPARTMENT HAS DEVELOPED ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES ΤΟ ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES OF TARGET TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS ARK SELECTED FOR TESTING THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARDS PRESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE.
(C)
IN THE SAME PERIOD, 76 PROHIBITION RECALL NOTICES WERE SERVED.
(D) TWO IMPORTERS OF
UNSAFE TOYS
NOTICES AND TWO
WERE PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED. THEY WERE FINED $1,500 AND $2,000 RESPECTIVELY.
(E)
WHEN THE
ORDINANCE WAS BROUGHT INTO EFFECT IN JULY 1993, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED A DEDICATED TEAM OF 11 OFFICERS TO ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE. IN JUNE 1994 ANOTHER TEAM OF 11 OFFICERS WAS CREATED TO STRENGTHEN THE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS. WE WILL KEEP UNDER REVIEW WHETHER ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES ARE REQUIRED FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS.
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