Ministry welcomes NZ probe findings

By Jiang Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-31 09:47

China welcomes the results of a New Zealand probe into the safety of made-in-China children's pajamas, commerce ministry spokesman Wang Xinpei said yesterday.

The New Zealand government launched an investigation last week into children's nightwear from China to determine whether it meets garment fire safety standards. The probe came after two complaints of children suffering minor burns while wearing pajamas imported from China.

Testing was conducted by an independent laboratory.

The investigation found the Red Stamp brand of pajamas sold at outlets of New Zealand retailer Warehouse Group Ltd met product safety standards for children's nightwear, according to a statement on the New Zealand Commerce Commission's website.

Stuart Wallace, acting director of fair trading with the commerce commission, said the pajamas passed both the dimension requirements for close-fitting garments and the surface burn after washing test. Compliance with each is required for a garment to carry the "low fire danger" label as set out in the safety standards.

"However, low fire danger does not mean no fire danger," he said. "All clothing and fabric will burn."

"While the aim of the product safety standard is to reduce the danger of night garments catching fire or the likelihood of them burning if they do catch fire, there is always a risk when children are near heat sources. Extreme vigilance is needed," he said.


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