\nFollowing the massive recall of Mattel toys <\/a>made in China, parents around the world are considering a boycott of Chinese-made products, yet many realize such a move could make toy-buying unaffordable, Reuters reports<\/a>. In an editorial, the International Herald Tribune calls<\/a> for the U.S. and other countries to encourage a transparent regulatory system in China to oversee the safety of exports. Consumer advocates and lawmakers<\/a> in the U.S. are also calling for stricter regulations here<\/a> to check the safety of products, which is now largely done by companies themselves and on a system of trust. Author Ted Fishman writes<\/a> on the USA Today site that U.S. consumers and businesses also bear responsibility for insisting on higher standards for imports.\n<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, the only official response<\/a> to the recall from the Chinese government was a written statement saying that the majority of products made there are safe, while an official from the China Toy Association acknowledged<\/a> that they were aware of the problems with magnets on Mattel toys since March yet did nothing about it. AFP reports<\/a> that there has been little news in China about the recalls, leaving Chinese citizens largely in the dark about the situation.\n<\/p>\n
\nFor more background see a parents’ guide<\/a> to the toy recall from Time Magazine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"