Many toys without safety labels remain on the market although the Ministry of Science and Technology banned such items on April 15.

Hoang Lam, deputy director of the Quality Assurance and Testing Centre No 3 (Quatest 3), said toys must be tested for aromatic amine, formaldehyde, pH level, physical safety, and poisonous content on paint, fabric, plastic and metal.

Trusted agencies for tests are Quatest 1, 2, 3 and Standard Approval Centre (Quacert).

“Toys for kids under 16 years old have to be checked and labeled safe before they come to market,” said Tran Tuyet Nhung, deputy director of the Assessment Department under the General Department of Standards, Measurement and Quality.

But toyshops in HCM City and Hanoi are full of unchecked items that can be seen at Tan Dinh and Binh Tay markets, shops on Phan Dinh Phung street in HCM City , or Hanoi ’s Hang Ma, Cha Ca, Luong Van Can streets.

Nguyen Truong Son, deputy head of Hanoi ’s Market Watch Division 2, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that his division had not seen any of the new labels, which were supposed to be issued by the ministry.

HCM City Market Watch Division is currently carrying out checks on toys. About 90 percent of the toys are of Chinese origin, with no information or instructions in the Vietnamese language, the division said.

Lam said it would take a long time to conduct inspections on items imported to the country before April 15. “Distributors of toys are reluctant to send goods to testing agencies for tests as well,” he said.

Nhung said there were still no labels on goods from exporters and distributors./.