Brussels, 21/08/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a press statement published on 20 august, the European Commissioner for Trade blatantly rejected the accusations of protectionism made by a Chinese leader against the EU, following the mass withdrawal of potentially toxic toys made in China. Peter Mandelson wrote, “The allegations that European companies' action against toxic Chinese goods is political motivated and shows bias against China is totally false”. He declared that, “As trade Commissioner, I will not accept claims of toxicity being used as a pretext for protectionism”. The Commission also explained that, “this is not a question of trade but of health” of European people, particularly children. Mandelson also warned that, “If some in China want to create the pretext for retaliatory action, the EU will contest this in the strongest terms”. This vigorous response follows the comments made by Li Chang Jiang, China's Director of the General Administration of quality Supervision and Inspection of Products.
Last Thursday, the European Commission launched an appeal for vigilance by toy makers and toy safety inspection bodies, following the massive withdrawal of Chinese manufactured toys by the US Mattel Inc company, given the risk they contained for children's safety. The Commission was informed on 14 August by the Mattel group of new withdrawals of products (a first warning had already been made). Notification of the withdrawal was received on 3 August by the British authorities informing them of a voluntary withdrawal by Mattel through the Rapex system, the EU's early warning system that enables the competent authorities in member states to warn the Commission about dangerous products. (ol)