The government has partially relaxed the ban on import of toys from China.
A notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) today said that import of toys from China would be allowed if it was accompanied by a certificate that the toys conformed to certain international quality standards.
According to the DGFT notification, imported toys have to conform to quality standards (ASTM F963, ISO 8124 or IS 9873), which are internationally recognised.
In addition, the import consignment will also have to carry a certificate by the manufacturer that the toys were tested by an independent laboratory accredited by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.
Commerce ministry officials said the move would not lead to influx of cheap toys into the country. “We expect only 10 per cent of toys from China to be able to conform to these standards,” said an official.
According to industry estimates, about 60 per cent of toys in India are imported from China.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Indian Standards has released standards for Indian toys as well. “Domestic manufacturers will be given some time to conform to these standards,” the official added. India had banned import of toys from China in January 2009 but had not specified any particular reason for the move.
Trade experts had said that the ban could be challenged by China at the World Trade Organization as it did not conform to international trade norms.
