Doha - Qatar will soon release the findings of a survey on a number of toys which were randomly picked from the local market recently to test lead content and find out if they pose any threat to children's health and safety.
A team from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture (MMAA) and the Authority for Standards and Specifications conducted a survey and collected samples from shops all over.
The toys have been sent for laboratory testing and assess their lead content. As soon as the results are out, they would be made public.
The Authority yesterday banned 10 more toys, seven of them Barbie dolls, citing high lead content as the reason. "The toys contain high level of lead which can cause poisoning," the Authority told Qatar News Agency (QNA).
The import, sale and circulation of the toys, which include two brands of toy cars as well, have been stopped with immediate effect.
Retail outlets as well as distributors have been asked to withdraw the stocks of thse toys, Dr Mohamed Saif Al Kuwari, Director-General of the Authority, told QNA. "The step has been taken to ensure children's health and safety," he said.
Qatar was the first Arab state to ban these toys as soon as reports of their having had high lead content trickled in, Al Kuwari said.
An ad hoc committee was formed to assess the situation and survey toys available in the market and it was found that some of them had high lead content.
The committee which also has representatives from the MMAA, National Health Authority, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and Ports and Customs General Authority met last month-end and banned the import of six types of toys since they contained magnetic pieces which could hurt children.
Al Kuwari said that shops selling toys must display certificates of laboratory tests explaining their contents.
The QCCI has, meanwhile, convened a meeting of importers and outlets selling toys on September 18 at its premises to explain the dangers the toys having high lead content can pose to children's health and safety.
The meet to be held at 9pm would also discuss the ban on toy import and ways to get the stocks of 'safe toys' which are lying at the Doha Port after due tests and clearance.
Rules to ensure kids' safety
The Ad hoc committee on children's toys has asked video game parlours and entertainment centres to do periodical maintenance and ensure children's safety.
The committee has recommended various measures to be taken by these centres to comply with its guidelines.
© The Peninsula 2007
