Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 426/4

13 March 2007

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 120/2007

Mexico : Proposed Rule on Labelling Requirements for Toys

The Mexican Government published a notice in the Official Gazette on 9 February 2007 to seek public comments on proposed labelling requirements for toys. Comments on the proposed rule must reach the Mexican Government by 10 April 2007.

DETAILS

2. The Mexican Government proposed that certain commercial information must be displayed on all toys sold in Mexico. For the purpose of this rule, toys are defined as any products or materials which are clearly created, intended and manufactured to be used for playing or entertainment. The proposed labelling requirements would apply to toys made from any material, including those operated with cells, batteries or any other power source, but would not apply to firearm replicas.

3. According to the proposed rule, the label must provide truthful and accurate information with respect to the toy's nature and characteristics. The information would have to be presented in Spanish, but it could also be presented in another language in addition to Spanish. The following compulsory commercial information must be shown on the toy's packaging:

• generic name of the product, when it is not completely identifiable by consumers;
  
  
• written or graphical indication of quantity, with certain exceptions. Product sold in units of mass or volume would have to present its quantity in written form;
  
  
• for toys manufactured in Mexico, the manufacturer's name or corresponding corporate name, and its address;
  
  
• for imported toys, the importer's name or corresponding corporate name, and its address. The manufacturer's information would have to be submitted by the importer upon request by either the Mexican Ministry of Economy or the Mexican Federal Consumer Agency. The information would be provided to consumers who request it in case of product complaints;
  
  
• country of origin;
  
  
• legend or symbol indicating the manufacturer's recommended age for the toy; and
  
  
• the type and quantity of batteries or any other power source if a toy is operated by power source equal to 24 volts or below, or the electrical power features of a toy if it requires more than 24 volts for its operation. Such information would have to be displayed on the packaging or in the instructions of the toy.

4. In addition, instructions for the normal use and storage of the toy, as well as necessary warnings for their safe and reliable operation and assembly would have to be included. Warnings on small parts would also be required if the toy is intended for children under 36 months of age.

5. The proposed rule also contains specific labelling requirements for certain toys, including assembly toys, slides and similar toys, toys with projectiles, toy percussion caps, imitations of protective equipment, skateboards and roller skates, inflatable aquatic toys, toys to be attached to cribs, scientific toys, costumes, tents and toy houses, and functional toys.

6. The gazette notice can be downloaded from http://www.ordenjuridico.gob.mx/Federal/PE/APF/APC/SE/Proyectos/
   2007/09022007(1).pdf.

ENQUIRIES

7. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Scott MAK)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry