asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps which are taken to detect and control toys which may be dangerous to children; the number of toy shops inspected for such toys in each of the past five years; the number of prosecutions initiated for the sale of dangerous toys in each of the past five years; if he has satisfied himself that the resources available to the Office of Consumer Affairs for this purpose are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dangerous Toys Control.
59.
Under section 44 of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1961, the Minister for Industry and Commerce is empowered to make orders prohibiting the manufacture, assembly or sale of products unless they meet certain specified safety requirements. Three orders are in force in respect of toys and similar items at present. These set out respectively the requirements relating to toxicity and cellulosic content of toys, the toxicity levels of pencils and other graphic instruments and prohibit the sale of nonfood products resembling food, such as erasers which look and smell like sweets.
From 1 January 1990 Ireland, in common with the other member states of the Community is required to introduce regulations implementing the Toy Safety Directive. This will increase the level of safety of toys on the Irish market. Regulations translating the Directive into Irish legislation will be made shortly. The effect of these regulations will be that in order to show that toys meet the safety requirements of the Directive, they will have to carry a CE (i.e. European Community) mark when placed on the market after 1 January 1990.
Responsibility for inspections and prosecutions under the IRS Act, 1961, has been delegated to the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade since January 1988. At the request of the then Minister for Industry and Commerce, surveys were carried out in 1986 and 1987 on toys and Christmas tree lights prior to the Christmas period. At my request a similar survey is under way at present. When an unsafe toy is discoverd, it has been the practice to seek the assistance to the retailer or wholesaler involved in having the toy removed from the market. Court proceedings are only initiated as a last resort.
Detailed statistics on toy shops inspected are not readily available for each of the last five years. However, the number of prosecutions instituted in those years is as follows:
|
1985 |
1986 |
1987 |
1988 |
1989 |
|
19 |
— |
2 |
— |
— |
The Deputy will appreciate that the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trade is independent in the day-to-day performance of his functions. He attaches a high priority to enforcement of product safety legislation and the maximum resources possible are allocated for this purpose.