Over 80 pc of Chinese toy factories are 'substandard': Survey

London, Nov 2 : Over eighty percent of toy factories in China's manufacturing hub are substandard, according to a survey.

In a survey conducted by the provincial authorities in Guangdong states, of the 1,726 factories inspected, 764 had their certificates revoked or suspended. A further 690 were ordered to renovate their facilities and improve product quality within a set period of time, The Telegraph reported.

In the wake of the findings of the survey, export quality certificates of one-third of factories have either being revoked or suspended.

200,000 inspectors scouring the province's industrial zones conducted the survey. The survey was a part of the wider inquiry into product safety.

"The campaign has broken down a large number of unqualified product manufacturers and sellers," said Lai Tiansheng, the chief inspector.

"But the investigation work is a long-term task," he added.

According to the daily, the survey, which was conducted after millions of toys with faulty designs or toxic paint were recalled from the market, will embarrass both the government and international companies.

The Chinese Government that was rebutting the reports in international media about quality of toys is now on back-foot.

Companies including Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls, that were accusing the international media of exaggerating the scale of problems with Chinese toy factories in the summer, will be affected badly after the survey results.

Most recently on the US recalled 380,000 Galaxy Warriors, 43,000 Halloween plastic teeth, and 16,000 Toys of military vehicles. After which a boss committed suicide.

The survey results is likely to put pressure on the big companies that outsource production to China, who have been criticised for failing to put in place good enough monitoring of factory standards, the daily opined.

Tomy, the Japanese toy manufacturer is reported to move one-third of its production away from Guangdong, where 90 per cent of its toys are made. (ANI)

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