Explanation about Remedy or Compensation

The ST mark of safe toy system is supported and conducted by Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). If toy manufacturers want to be authorized to use ST marks, they must make toys in accordance with the provisions of the three-year contracts they made with IDB, and they may renew the contracts if the old contracts are expired. To protect consumers' interests, Taiwan Toys Research and Development Center (TTRD) established "The Appraisal Commission of Toys Safety", which is taking charge of investigating the events of injuries. If the commission makes the inspecting arbitration that the causes of injuries are not relevant to the toy manufacturers, the latter still have to send the injured consumers consolation money with consideration of extent of damage, which is financially supported by the fund of mutual consolation.

The Charging Rules of Using Safe Toy Marks and Charging Standards of the Fund of Mutual Consolation

The toys produced and sold domestically, and the toys imported from foreign countries are given qualification numbers for safe toys, and "Certificate of ST Qualification" issued by TTRD. The TTRD charges the manufactures or importers NTD 1,400 for the fund of mutual consolation, and NTD 100 for the issuance of ST mark for each kind of toys.

The essentials of the standard of consolation to the accidents caused by the toys labeled with ST marks lawfully are described as the follows:

When the toys with ST marks cause accidents of injury, the manufacturers should bear the entire liability if the Appraisal Commission made the arbitration after inspection that the toys were not made by appraising standards. If the commission made the inspecting conclusion that the production of such toys followed the directions of appraising stands, the manufacturers should send the injured consumers consolation money with consideration of extent of damage, in order to express their concern and willingness to take the responsibilities.

The classification of consolation money is set as the follows:

1. Injury of the first class: To customers recognized by the Appraisal Commission to suffer so serious injury (including being crippled) that they need to be sent to hospitals for treatment, the consolation money considered to send is from NTD 5,000 to NTD 10,000 for each person.
2. Injury of the second class: The consolation money to consumers suffering less serious injuries is from NTD 2,000 to NTD 5,000 for each person.
3. Injury of the third class: The consolation money to consumers injured slightly is from NTD 1000 to NTD 2000 for each person.

If consumers want to inquire information relevant to ST marks and the manufacturers, please contact with the mark issuing agency.

Some common senses of choosing toys.

How should consumers purchase safe toys

1. Consumers should choose those toys tagged with plume blossom marks and ST marks for users' safety.
2. Consumers should choose toys according to children's ages
3. Is there any toy labeling indicating the name of the toys, the way to use, warnings, the proper ages of children, the names, telephone numbers and addresses of the manufacturers, and the primary ingredients.
4. Consumers should choose those toys with ropes for pulling or dragging shorter than 30cm, in order to prevent babies and little children from twinning and suffocation.
5. Consumers should not buy the toys with sharp edges and acute angles, in order to protect skin.
6. Consumers should purchase the stuffing toy or the dawn toy of which the sewing parts are made firmly, in order to keep little children from digging holes and taking out the filled materials to swallow.
7. If a toy, or any small accessory of it is smaller than a coin of NTD 10, it should not be used by little children under 3 years of age.
8. Consumers should pay attention to whether the coating of the toy has past the inspection or it will peel off easily.
9. The correct warning signs for toys.
   1. The toys with ropes or strings :

      Babies or children should be allowed to use the toys with ropes or strings only in the custody of adults, in order to avoid being twined and get suffocated.

   2. The toys made of flammable materials:

      Please keep the toys far away from fire.

   3. The toys used on water

      Babies or children are allowed to use such toys only in shallow water and in the custody of adults.

   4. The toys for riding

      Such toys should not be use by babies or children on certain improper spots, such as streets, roads, staircases, or declines. In addition, the kids may use the toys only in the custody of adults.

   5. The toys containing small accessories

      For preventing children from swallowing the toys, they should not be used by children under age of 3 years.

   6. The toys with bright colors

      Be careful not to give children the chance to put the toys in their mouths, and the buyers should notice whether the toys have gone through the content assessment of heavy metals.

   7. The toys packed with plastic bags

      Parents should cut off the plastic bags used to pack toys and throw them away after opening the packages. They should prevent children from being wrapped up in and get suffocated.

Inquiry Agency:

Taiwan Toys R&D center (the predecessor of Taiwan Children's Commodities R&D Center, TCC)

• Address: 4F, No.87, Kuangfu N. Rd., Taipei (105)
• Telephone Number:02-27622928
• Fax:02-27602743

Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs

• Address: No.41-3, Hsinyi Rd., Sec. 3, Taipei (106)
• Telephone number:02-27541255
• Fax:02-27043761
• Website:http://www.moeaidb.gov.tw/

Taiwan Toys Manufacturers Association

• Address: 6F, No.42, Minsheng E. Rd., Sec.1, Taipei (104)
• Telephone number:02-25711264
• Fax:02-25411061
• Website:http://www.toybase.com.tw