Just has the following info through from oul friend Cllr Nigel Collor of KCC and the DDC cabinet office...
Many thanks Nigel
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Kent Trading Standards regularly undertake checks on toy products to ensure they are safe, particularly in the run up to the Christmas period when cheap and low quality items may be rushed to the UK market. This year a number of retailers and market traders have been selling 'Animal Pillows', a pillow in the shape of an animal which can be folded in two and held in place with a Velcro strip. To date Kent Trading Standards have encountered at least eleven different branded versions of the items, each of which may come in a variety of different animal designs.
Tests carried out so far have shown that the eyes of some brands will come out too easily when a force is applied. The eyes are of a size likely to cause a choking hazard to a small child. It must be stressed that this will not apply to all brands, however further test are currently being carried out.
Kent Trading Standards are in the process of visiting retailers to advise where products have failed tests and where an importer has been identified arrangements are being made for a product recall. A further message will be circulated to advise of any product recalls carried out.
If consumers are in any way wary of a toy a few quick checks can be made. All toys should bear the CE mark somewhere on the label (whether or not it is permanently attached.) There should also be some indication of the manufacturer or an EC importer. If the label is missing these details the toy may not have been subject to the rigorous safety tests required for the UK market and should be avoided.
While the inclusion of this information is an indication that the proper tests have been applied it will not guarantee a product is safe as some manufacturers may apply this information incorrectly. To date two designs have been identified as unsafe for children, one bearing the required information, the other does not. The image below shows the pillow with no contact information that has failed the tests.
To report any concerns you have call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.
