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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mattel apology over toy recalls | Mattel apology over toy recalls |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The boss of Mattel has apologised for safety lapses which resulted in the recall of 21 million Chinese-made toys in recent months. | The boss of Mattel has apologised for safety lapses which resulted in the recall of 21 million Chinese-made toys in recent months. |
| Robert Eckert told a US Senate hearing that Mattel was "by no means perfect", and acknowledged its Chinese producers had not been monitored closely enough. | |
| But he denied the firm was too slow to reveal safety concerns, saying notice of the recalls had been given speedily. | But he denied the firm was too slow to reveal safety concerns, saying notice of the recalls had been given speedily. |
| "Made in China has now become a warning label," Senator Sam Brownback said. | "Made in China has now become a warning label," Senator Sam Brownback said. |
| Safety worries | Safety worries |
| Recent recalls have dented consumer confidence in toys and other goods exported from China and put pressure on US retailers to improve their testing procedures. | Recent recalls have dented consumer confidence in toys and other goods exported from China and put pressure on US retailers to improve their testing procedures. |
| We have tackled difficult issues before and demonstrated an ability to make change for the better Robert Eckert, Mattel chairman | We have tackled difficult issues before and demonstrated an ability to make change for the better Robert Eckert, Mattel chairman |
| Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Mr Eckert said Mattel was "committed" to upholding safety standards and immediately announcing problems when they were identified. | Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Mr Eckert said Mattel was "committed" to upholding safety standards and immediately announcing problems when they were identified. |
| "We are by no means perfect," he said. | "We are by no means perfect," he said. |
| "But we have tackled difficult issues before and demonstrated an ability to make change for the better, not only within our own company but for the broader industry." | "But we have tackled difficult issues before and demonstrated an ability to make change for the better, not only within our own company but for the broader industry." |
| Since the initial product recall in early August, Mattel has carried out inspections of all toy shipments from Asia as well as an audit of all of its suppliers. | Since the initial product recall in early August, Mattel has carried out inspections of all toy shipments from Asia as well as an audit of all of its suppliers. |
| China has also since agreed to ban the use of lead in toys exported to the US. | China has also since agreed to ban the use of lead in toys exported to the US. |
| Check system | Check system |
| A succession of committee members expressed their concerns with current product safeguards, focusing on the oversight role of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. | A succession of committee members expressed their concerns with current product safeguards, focusing on the oversight role of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. |
| "Our toy safety system is not as strong as it should be," said Democratic Senator Richard Durbin. | "Our toy safety system is not as strong as it should be," said Democratic Senator Richard Durbin. |
| Toys R US, which recalled thousands of Chinese-made crayons this month, said it would notify customers directly of recalls by e-mail to ensure people got hold of critical information. | Toys R US, which recalled thousands of Chinese-made crayons this month, said it would notify customers directly of recalls by e-mail to ensure people got hold of critical information. |
| "We know consumers are asking how they can be sure the toys they buy are safe," Jerry Storch, the firm's chairman, told the Senate panel. | "We know consumers are asking how they can be sure the toys they buy are safe," Jerry Storch, the firm's chairman, told the Senate panel. |
| "We are troubled by the possibility that we could be continuing to sell toys that someone knows may have a problem, while we remain unaware until we receive word that a recall is coming." | "We are troubled by the possibility that we could be continuing to sell toys that someone knows may have a problem, while we remain unaware until we receive word that a recall is coming." |