EU withdraws threat to bar sales of Chinese-made toys

The European Union backed off a threat to ban certain toys and products from China because of safety and health concerns, saying Thursday that Beijing was working to ensure that its exports meet international standards.

The EU had demanded China raise safety checks on exports after European consumers were hit by numerous recalls of Chinese-made toys this year.

But an EU review of Chinese efforts found Beijing had shown “considerable progress . . . in taking corrective actions to stop the flow of dangerous goods onto the European market.”

Meglena Kuneva, the EU’s consumer affairs commissioner, said she was working with producers, importers, retailers and governments “to rapidly identify and tackle any new problems as they emerge” as the Christmas shopping season begins.

Kuneva said she got fresh assurances of compliance from Chinese authorities and toy makers that they would meet safety standards. She presented proposals to rebuild consumer confidence and prevent dangerous goods from making their way to shop shelves.

The measures, however, would be implemented only in the coming months -- too late for the Christmas rush.

European Commission officials launched a review of safety controls across the 27-nation union in September and conducted an analysis of Chinese safety standards.

The review of Chinese controls looked at 268 safety alert notifications and found that China made a “significant effort” to correct or halt exports of unsafe products, adding that Chinese authorities were setting up their own rapid warning and investigation teams.

Half of all unsafe imports found in the EU come from China.