The fact that Mattel Inc, one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world, had to recall products based on hazards from small powerful magnets and lead paint has hopefully been a wake up call for the industry to standards which were not upheld.

At the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) we advise members and the industry to keep abreast of current legislation, which is constantly changing, as well as urging them to maintain the highest standards during the manufacturing of any products.

In the case of Mattel, no leaded paint should ever have been used. This indicates that there was a breach in control of paint supplies during the manufacturing process, without a final audit. Products were allowed to leave the factory before a problem was identified. This is the worst possible scenario and it occurred due to a lapse in upholding standards.

Regulations for manufacturing toys and promotional products have become stricter. In the case of Mattel, every component of the company’s products should have been tested for compliance and possible risk. Consumers and watchdogs are more stringent than ever so companies will need to stay ahead of legislation and risk factors associated with their products.

Manufacturing potential from China is second to none. However, while it is able to produce product quickly and cheaply, there is still a long way to go to ensure high standards and ethical operations all round. The recent news about merchandise for the Beijing Olympics being manufactured under sweatshop conditions is further testament to the vigilance that needs to be paid to all products coming from this economic powerhouse. When any product is being manufactured in China the onus should be on each company to put every check and balance into motion. There is no room for naivety.

No doubt Mattel is doing all it can to rectify this problem, however, a wider lesson needs to be learned. Even the biggest and best companies need to check and recheck their manufacturing processes.

Dropping standards, even temporarily, can seriously harm brands, damage consumer confidence and affect share price.We need, therefore, to ensure the highest standards are maintained in all elements of manufacturing, whether from China or Western Europe. Legislation will not be relaxed and risk factors will always be a possibility so it’s up to companies to try to eliminate these risks and maintain the highest standards when producing products for consumers.

The BPMA advises all companies, large or small, to make use of independent product inspection organisations to ensure products remain compliant with all legislation and that standards are set and agreed at the outset.

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