18/11/2008 - Blitz on dangerous Chinese imports
Dangerous goods imported from China are prompting more companies to check that they are fully protected by their public-liability, product-liability and other insurance cover.
In the first nine months of this year, 56% of toys, electrical goods and cars that resulted in action by the European Commission originated in China. The rising number of safety alerts has resulted in a deal to strengthen Sino-European co-operation.
Consumer commissioner Meglena Kuneva said: "There can be no compromise on safety. We see every week in our rapid-alert system recalls of dangerous goods that can cause serious injury. This memorandum substantially strengthens the system of safety controls for product and food safety between the EU and China. It provides for more transparency, better monitoring and new possibility for joint surveillance.
"It is a step in the right direction but there is no room for complacency. European citizens want value for money, but never at the expense of safety."
Latest figures show that toys trigger the most alerts, with 366 notifications to Brussels under the rapid-alert system in the first nine months of this year. Potentially dangerous problems with imported motor vehicles caused a further 133 alerts, with 126 relating to faulty electrical goods.
Copyright © Press Association 2008
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