QCC Conducts Inspection Drive on Children Toys in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure and raising awareness on quality standards in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, conducted an inspection drive on children toys traded in Abu Dhabi markets in a bid to ensure their compliance with the safety requirements and standards of the Gulf Standardisation Organisation (GSO).

Conducted from March 20 - 24, the campaign targeted gift shops, groceries and large-scale retail outlets such as supermarkets across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. A total of 997 toys were checked, and warnings issued to four outlets retailing non-compliant toys. The violators were asked to take the items off the shelves until corrective measures were taken and the required standards and requirements met.

Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, Director of Marketing & Communications at Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, said, "Our latest drive to monitor the safety of children’s toys articulates QCC’s sustained efforts to improve the quality of products sold in Abu Dhabi markets and protect public safety. In conducting regular inspections, QCC seeks to ensure that the quality of toys sold in the market is not compromised and the relevant local and regional standards are strictly maintained."

He added, "QCC is keen to ensure that all children play items sold in Abu Dhabi consistently comply with the standards to protect children from the hazards of non-compliant toys and keep them safe from related injuries."

During the inspection visits, QCC’s quality inspectors stressed that every product sold in the local markets should carry the GSO Conformity Marking and display all relevant details including the names of the brand and manufacturer, country of origin, targeted age group and product reference code - clearly printed in Arabic and English in a non-erasable format. The manufacturer should also specify whether the toy needed to be handled only under the supervision of an adult. Furthermore, the product should not violate any social or cultural values inherent in the local society or contain any phrases, shapes or pictures that disregard the country’s religious and moral sensitivities.

QCC also urged suppliers of toys to opt for QCC Children Toys Certification Scheme that aims to promote improved trust between consumers and traders and make Abu Dhabi market safer and fairer for both parties.

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 to raise the quality of the emirate’s exports and locally traded products, while protecting the interests of consumers and supporting the UAE’s competitive economy. This is achieved through empowering regulators to establish and implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes. QCC also sets guidelines and benchmarks to identify and verify that the products manufactured and traded in Abu Dhabi conform to the highest quality standards.

Customers are advised to report issues to the Abu Dhabi Government Contact Centre on 800 555 or visit Manaa website at www.manaa.ae should they detect any non-compliant toys or have inquiries regarding toy safety.